That Winter Chill Obama's Feeling Ain't No Hypothetical

That nip in the air that the President is feeling today has less to do with the December weather than it does the harsh reaction from progressives in congress--and around the nation--in reaction to the compromise he brokered with republicans on the Bush tax cuts.

Progressives are mad, steamed to the bone and ready to jump ship. How could the President extend tax cuts for the top 2% of earners in this country? What is he thinking? Has he lost his mind?

No. He's simply doing the math.

Republicans in the senate have made it clear that they would filibuster, delay, and obstruct any other initiative until the Bush tax cuts were extended for everyone. Of course, they don't really care about everyone. They really care about the rich ones. Also known as their base.

This is where the right drew their line in the sand. This is what they stand for: Tax cuts for the rich. Oh sure, they say they care about the deficit. But when it comes to tax cuts for the wealthy..."deficit, what deficit?" They will argue that the tax cuts will pay for themselves by creating growth and jobs. Just like they have for the last seven years. What's that you say? The economy tanked, unemployment soared, and the auto and banking industries almost disappeared since those growth creating Bush tax cuts? Oh, come on. This time will be different. This time, the republicans ride in on unicorns and sprinkle fairy dust on the economy and this time it will work. You just wait and see.

Now, back to the math. I hear a lot of wailing from democrats in congress right now about how the President gave away too much and didn't fight hard enough. Well, I would ask these suddenly courage afflicted and outraged souls: Why didn't you push for this vote months ago when the President wanted it and you had more leverage. Oh, that's right. You guys punted the issue until after the mid-terms because you didn't want to take any more "tough" votes before the election, you poor babies. Now you have the stones to toss angry words at the President you left holding the bag.

Okay, okay. This time the math...really. Last weekend the senate took two votes that were alternatives to this admittedly sickening compromise. The first was a measure that would have only extended the tax cuts for those who make less than $250,000. It failed. The second was an option that extended tax cuts for those who made less than $1,000,000. It failed too. Neither vote could muster more than 53 yeas from our oh so esteemed senators. And here's the thing: There are 58 democrats in the senate right now. Think about that, they couldn't hold together their own caucus to even come up two votes short of breaking the filibuster promised by the fleece patrol on the right. But yeah, it's the President's fault.

The same way it was his fault that Joe Lieberman and Ben Nelson wouldn't support a public option for health care reform.

It's math, people. And the votes didn't add up.

So, the President was left with the choice of negotiating a deal that would allow 13 months of uninterrupted unemployment benefits for the out of work, a 2% payroll tax cut, and a permanent extension of the tax cuts for the middle class in exchange for a two year extension for the wealthy. Or, he could have stomped his feet and put on a show and got nothing.

Now, some would argue that the republicans would have eventually given in and extended unemployment benefits for the jobless. Let's assume that presumption is correct and the republicans would have eventually approved unemployment benefits in January before the new congress starts. That would mean millions of people would have went 6-8 weeks without a check. They would be out in the cold...literally. Unless of course, you think the mortgage lenders and land lords would be offering a forbearance on their notes. This may be a crap deal, but it's the best deal out there for those living at risk.

I was recently debating this issue with a self proclaimed progressive who said "The President can't rule the country just for the 10%." Never mind what an interesting choice of words "rule" is, these are people not a statistic. And mind you, unemployment benefits are one of the best stimulative maneuvers you can provide the marketplace with. Every dollar paid out in unemployment is worth a buck .60 to the economy. Last I checked, the economy affected all of us, not just the 10%. See, I got stats too.

You know, this isn't a hypothetical. My dad went without a job for two years. During that time the only work he could find was two soul sucking, demeaning temp jobs. Only last month, he finally got a permanent gig. If not, he and my mom would have been living in my basement by now. Oh sure, if he were still unemployed and the republicans had eventually given in on unemployment benefits, it would have been retroactive and he would have received back pay. But you try going two months without any income during the winter season when the cost of heat rises and the bills don't stop. And some of you want to tell me that the President didn't stand up for the American people today? What American people are you referring too? Give me a break.

Some would argue that this President is no different than the republican that preceded him. That democrats and republicans are essentially the same. But I will tell you there is one clear difference between us and the republicans. They will walk arm in arm in unison even if their destination is over a cliff. They stick together for better and (usually) worse. To be honest, some on the far left (which I typically consider myself to be), are just as hung up on ideology, purity, and perfection as the "teabaggers" they profess to hate so much. They are led by emotion, not facts, nuance, or complexity. And they will be forever left in the marginal wilderness of history along with the Green Party, the Socialist Party of America, and the hippies. Oh yeah, they had big plans...and minuscule results.

But I get it, you're angry. So angry you can't hardly stand to be in your own skin and you feel the need to lash out.

I would suggest you save your venom for those that deserve it the most, the republicans whose only principle seems to be giving this country to the wealthy, the corporations, and the special interests. Or, if you must throw verbal stones at the democrats, aim them for that weak kneed bunch in both houses who were too fragile to take a difficult vote until all their leverage had been lost during a brutal election cycle.

As for this President, the guy who saved the auto industry, made it harder for your health insurance provider to screw you over and kept the unemployed in their homes--quite literally saving lives--there are two words you should say to him...Thank You.

Sumo-Pop
December 7, 2010