MyDD :: The Myth of Bipartisanshp

The Myth of Bipartisanshp

by inertia7, Tue Jan 22, 2008 at 11:31:15 PM EST

I've been working on a piece concerning the bizarre Washington wish for every to "just get along." In it I note that it is not the Democrats, but the Republicans who fail to compromise. The failure of the media to call out this minority party for their continued obstruction of popular legislation is simply unforgiveable. That piece can be viewed here:

http://www.theleftanchor.com/2008/01/bip artisanship.html

The David Broder's of the world fail to realize the benefits of partisanship. There are debates to be had here, there are issues to be addressed. And if anything, the most troubling aspect of the current Republican party is their continued failure to agree on any empirical reality. Without an objective set of facts with which to debate the issues, the issues become non-negotiable. They won't admit to any objective reality, and therefore, there is little we can do to convince them of our positions, or to even reach a compromise. I have a piece concerning that factor here:

http://www.theleftanchor.com/2008/01/jud icial-activi.html

And if anyone wonders what a brokered Republican convention might look like, I've taken my best stab at it here. I'd like to think it's both funny and accurate, but what do I know?

http://www.theleftanchor.com/2008/01/giu liani-now-fo.html

Go Blue in 2008,
Big Blue

Tags: broder, bloomberg, partisanship, Democrat, giuliani, mccain, convention, brokered, bipartisanship, GOP, 2008 (all tags)

Permalink :: 5 Comments :: Post a Comment

Excellent points (none / 0)

Furthermore, how do you compromise on tough issues like abortion, health care, social security, religion in the public square?

Do we form some bogus compromise like the North and South did during the early to mid 1880s? A compromise that never settled anything and just let tensions stew?

Or do we fight it out and see who wins?

In a way this is a bit like the 1850s. The country is pretty evenly divided. Something has to break the stalemate. We are very close to doing it.

A 40 seat majority in the House, a 5 seat majority in the Senate, and a Democrat in the White House could seriously break the log jam.

Crying and whining for bi-partisanship now is just snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

by dpANDREWS on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 09:01:04 AM EST

Re: Excellent points (none / 0)

The best explanation I've gotten from the Obama supporters is that we need to "declare victory on choice" so that "no anti-choice Justice is ever appointed again."

Now, that might strike you as substance-free, but that just demonstrates your inability to hope.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 12:47:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Is that for real? (none / 0)

If we declare victory McCain, Huck, or Romney won't appoint another Alito? Obama for real?

That is insane.

by dpANDREWS on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 02:00:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Is that for real? (none / 0)

Well, no, it's that President Obama would declare victory, thus somehow making the appointment of anti-choice Justices by future President Jeb Bush off limits somehow.

Mind you, that argument makes no more sense to me than the way you articulated it. But yeah, declare victory!

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 02:10:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Myth of Bipartisanshp (none / 0)

After 12 years of Republicans holding the purse strings and 13 1/2 years of them holding the majority of the decision making power, it is amazing that WE are now asked to be the great compromisers, those extending our hands in friendly bi-partisanship in an effort to part the seas. When it was the GOP that has smugly changed Senate rules to ensure we don't get our grievances aired, our amendments even heard. When it is the GOP that has time and time again stifled and ridiculed our legislation, and continues to this day, with the help of cloture and, failing that, Bush's veto pen. I am sick and tired of being told that WE are a big part of the problem, nay, coming from someone wishing to be OUR standard bearer, THE biggest part of the problem.

I don't care whether Obama said "single-payer health care" or not, THIS is the biggest lie that has permeated throughout his campaign and has made me go stone cold to his campaign. WE are not the problem. The GOP is. GET it through your skull, people. A candidate for the DEMOCRATIC party nomination has no business pretending BOTH sides share equal blame. Not only is that unseemly and false, it is also incredibly counterproductive to what we as a party are trying to achieve.

by georgep on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 10:49:56 AM EST

You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.