What a Difference a Week Makes

Last week I was pretty discouraged with the way things were proceeding in Washington. This week things are much more encouraging. I’m beginning to suspect that we might often be riding a roller coaster with this administration and this Congress when one considers the mountain of issues they have to deal with.

With Congress we went from passing the stimulus bill in the House with a proud 100% opposition from the Republicans – not good. This week, the Senate has taken it up and it appears, at least initially, they are going to handle it the way it should be handled. Although, there is still way too much partisan posturing out there and the wheels might yet fall off with things going from posturing to partisan bickering and dead-lock. For instance, we are still hearing the “Reagan Myth”, that tax cuts and less government spending is what we need – a proven failure over the last 25 years. Won’t this ever go away?

Historically, it has often been said that the Senate is a more deliberative body than the House and hopefully they will once again live up to that reputation. There actually seems to be some meaningful dialogue on the stimulus package and alternative options are being presented in some cases in a bipartisan way, as with moderate Senators Ben Nelson (D) of Nebraska and Susan Collins (R) of Maine suggesting cuts to package of around $50 B.

The bill as presented may be too much of a pent-up Democratic wish list. Some of the items many be too far reaching and not fine tuned for a stimulus package. There needs to be some criteria to meet such as: actually creating/saving jobs; encouraging corporations to step up by investing and even taking some risk to actually continue to make product in America; making sure that some help is offered for people whose lives have been devastated with unemployment through no fault of their own; re-training programs to help people whose jobs may never come back; re-building of infrastructure that has been neglected for years; greening of America with programs to build and refurbish structures to make them more energy efficient; making schools better so our work force can compete technologically; developing alternative energy sources; etc.- mostly long term improvements.

I’ve been encouraged by a few Republicans, our Kansas Senators being noticeably silent, who admit that some sort of stimulus package is needed. I find it refreshing that Senators from both sides of the aisle are admitting that they don’t know for absolute, “drop dead” certain that this particular bill will bring us immediately out of a Recession; but, something needs to be done to relieve some of the pain. Hopefully, Republicans won’t be so calloused that they will vote no and sit back, hoping the plan fails, to gain a political advantage in 2010. Both sides begrudgingly agree with the idea that legislation passed after only two or three weeks into an administration may not be perfect and there are parts of bill that may have to be modified or even dropped if it fails to accomplish what they hope.

The administration has taken some tough hits this week. I hate it that Daschle has withdrawn, because I thought he was uniquely qualified to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. But, Obama has lived up to his word on insisting on higher standards than we’ve had in the past, even if it costs him some needed expertise. I didn’t think I would ever live long enough to hear a sitting President come out and say, “I screwed up,” especially when he didn’t. It was Daschle’s fault and those who vetted him. But, Obama stepped up to make it clear that “The Buck Stops Here.”

Also, it’s encouraging to see our new President talking with both parties and being willing to listen. They may only agree to disagree; but, he is open to and invites reasonable criticism and alternative plans which does represent a change.

I like it that he takes a strong stand on the majority of the bill. He has let it be known that there are certain areas he will not compromise on – why should he, he won. He will not allow the bill to be gutted; but, he will compromise on some significant issues. This is especially interesting in view of the fact that he probably has the votes if they force him to “play the party card.” Also, he took a lot of criticism on earmarks in his campaign. But, he is the only President I can remember who has had the courage to say that he wants an earmark free bill. Hopefully, the Democratic leadership will deliver on that.

How long has it been since we’ve had a President look the watching public in the eye and talk about his legacy before the fact? Everyone knows Presidents are concerned about that, but few have had the courage to come out and say that he expects his presidency will be judged in large part by whether he can help get this economy going. He is setting a dangerous and maybe even unattainable standard. But, I for one went away with the feeling that this guy is serious, he’s tough, and he’s not going to make excuses. There doesn’t appear to be any quit in him. Maybe that’s what voters saw in him and I hope they are rewarded.