The Genius Albert Einstein said, “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is insanity.” He also said, “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” From these two simple quotes, it seems to me that the Republicans in Congress are insane – functional, but insane nonetheless – and mediocre in their efforts to help America.
Having watched much of the shenanigans and high drama from John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsay Graham (R-SC) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) it seems to me that much of the Republican leadership are self-absorbed pompous old men. When questioned by various talking heads about what specifically they dislike about the Economic Stimulus Plan they all pretty much say something similar to ‘this bill isn’t bipartisan and Republicans didn’t have any input’. It is obvious that these simplistic sound bites are planned and the Republicans actually spent time in meetings coming up with this as a strategy. They sound like a bunch of kids on the playground who were not picked to be on anyone’s team so they’re pissed because they feel as if they’ve been scorned.
First of all President Obama did invite them into the process from the beginning and the only suggestions the Republicans had were ‘more tax cuts for the rich’. The Stimulus DOES include over 35% of ‘tax cuts’ for businesses but that doesn’t seem to be good enough for the Republicans. They want tax cuts that benefit the rich — period. They want things to remain the same so that they can continue to get perks from businesses and special interest groups. They have tried this same old method time and time again and it has failed time and time again and yet they want to do the same thing today and apparently they expect a different result — insanity.
President Obama has reached out to Republicans consistently since he was elected and many of them feel that even in the midst of an economic crisis that is affecting even people in their own constituency the best thing to do is snub President Obama’s efforts to meet with them, talk with them and reach some agreement on ideas. I understand that it’s the Republicans’ prerogative to look small minded and sullen but it illustrates that they are more focused on getting their own way and meeting their own needs — not serving the needs of the greater American population. With less tax cuts for the rich there will be less money to buy off Republicans and less money give them money under the table to put in their pockets. The Republicans provide evidence that their uncooperativeness is a part of a cabaret act that they have rehearsed and have taken on the road via TV Shows by continuing to be dogmatic in their assertion that the bill is providing relief to Americans who do not pay taxes – making it seem that the bill is written solely to help welfare recipients. That is ludicrous and deceptive. There is nothing shameful about this bill benefiting people who are not paying taxes. These are Americans who use to pay taxes, Americans who want to be working but have lost their jobs because of this economic crisis and are now collecting unemployment or may have already lost their unemployment benefits. It is dishonest to imply that these millions and millions of Americans are glad to be home collecting unemployment and not pay taxes. It is downright unkind, malicious and shameful to snicker and sneer and say that people who have worked for 10, 20, 30 and 40 years but have now lost their jobs because of the economic climate shouldn’t get some tax breaks that will help them get back on their feet. It is absolutely nasty of the Republicans to imply such a thing!
It seems to me that if the Republicans want to be part of the team that helps to rebuild America by helping to create and implement plans that will help get Americans out of this deep dismal economic hole and create and save jobs they simply have to extend their hands and walk across the aisle. But they are not being honorable; they choose to be self-serving, whiney, whimpering old goats!
I urge you to contact your Senators and Congresspersons from both Houses and encourage them to get together, make the necessary revisions and get this stimulus plan passed for the greater good of all Americans!
Contact Congress: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
Contact Senate: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Disclaimer: It was not my intension to insult goats by putting them in the same category as congressional republicans.
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