January 26, 2009
Hands across the aisle? Sure.
A strange thing happens when a candidate wins an election. First thing is the advice from fellow incumbents to go to funders who supported the opponent. "Your penance? Help erase my debt." If he/she complies, "All's forgiven."
Second comes the obligatory pronouncement in the media that the newly elected representative will not be bound to his/her party's platform. No siree! "Hands across the aisle, bridge over troubled waters, our problems require cooperation. It's a new day." (Look at the new Assembly Democratic majority. "Can't pass public financing--our majority is too thin." (And, "Our turn at the trough!")
Third, every incumbent reverts to his/her comfort zone. Take Barack Obama. He held a dinner before inauguration honoring his opponent, John McCain. His reward came quickly. McCain will oppose and vote against Obama's stimulus package. Thanks, John. In fact, the NYT reports Republicans as a group are "resistant to Obama's stimulus plan." So much for bi-partisan cooperation. It is hands across the River Styx.
Think about Norm Coleman. He begins a court challenge today to overturn Al Franken's victory. His protest could take months. Should he win, will he reach across the aisle? And if he does, would anyone shake it? Yah, sure Ole.
Let's get serious. There must be an edge to politics in order to frame the issues and sort out the differences. And differences don't melt away over good wine. Fredrick Douglass said it best: "Power never yields without a struggle. Never has and never will."
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Stimulous.....you are crazy. Most is pork. Even ACORN will be able to get billions. Thank God some Conservatives have a little sense and will object to some....some....provisions. They don't oppose all.....just the pork.
-John Hyland | Appleton, WI | January 27, 2009
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