I used to play chess with my older brother when I was a kid. I finally gave up because he was much, much better at thinking five or 10 moves ahead. I was pretty much limited to two or three moves ahead. In my own defense, I was young – 10 or 11 when he first taught me to play – and my brother is four years older than I. But I much preferred to play Checkers, a game that doesn’t require you to see very far ahead. My inability to look at the options on the Chess board ensured that I always lost; in many ways it meant I was never even in the game.
I’m getting that same sense as I watch President Obama play rope-a-dope with the Republicans in Congress. The current issue at hand is the stimulus bill the president wants Congress to approve in the next three weeks. Since they are in the minority in both houses of congress now, Republicans are left with one tool at their disposal to have any influence at all in the political process: the ability to filibuster and prevent a cloture vote in the Senate. As Democrats know from past experience, it’s a small tool at that.
The difference this year as in the previous eight, 12 or several dozen years is that President Obama says he wants bi-partisan support for the bill. He has asked for input from Republicans in order to get their support. They could suggest a few compromises and show that they want to work for the good of our country, to help restore our tattered and broken economy. But to do so would mean to tacitly accept that their ideology is failed. So instead, Republicans have come back to the president and told him the only way they would accept the stimulus package is if it is a Republican plan. In other words, no compromise – just do things our way.
At first this seemed completely strange to me. How could any politician think they could have influence in this circumstance against a president who is enjoying over-the-top approval ratings and after being completely routed in the last general election? It didn’t make any sense. Then I realized that the only upside for Republicans as a party is if the plan fails. If they backed a failed plan, then they cannot claim the high road; but if they stood in vehement opposition to a failed plan, well, they were the visionaries who saw the disaster that lay ahead. It’s in their best interest to cling to partisanship. It doesn’t matter that our country is going to hell in a hand basket economically, if they can find an upside politically, they’ll use it.
This is not to say the Republican Party is any worse than the Democratic Party when it comes to partisanship. I’m sure Democrats would be doing something similar if the shoe were on the other foot. I just had a hope that we could put it all away, at least for a week or two, in the best interest of our country. Sadly this isn’t the case.
Certainly President Obama is aware of this. He went to Capital Hill today and did something highly unusual for a new president: he met with the entire House Republican Caucus and asked them to come to the table. It was a pretty gutsy move and it remains to be seen whether any in the minority party will cross the aisle when it’s time for the final vote. Unfortunately they seem to be playing from the Karl Rove playbook and trying to win today’s news cycle instead of looking at the big picture.
Republicans might try to present a better plan ideologically. A few have said that we need more tax breaks for large corporations. Sure, it’s more of the same George W. Bush policies that embroiled us in our current mess, but at least that’s consistent. But to be honest, there’s no upside for Republicans to present an alternative either.
If I were a Republican congressman or senator, I’d look beyond today – or even next week or next month. I’d be careful to avoid any appearance of partisanship, if at all possible. Because when it’s all said and done, the American people won’t blame the president if there is a successful filibuster in the Senate and the stimulus bill doesn’t move forward. The people will blame the obstructionists. Right now, anything that stands in the way of getting our economy back on track is considered obstructionist.
President Obama is playing chess and Republicans are playing checkers.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Friday, November 14, 2008
Being a Nerd
I remember the first time I was embarrassed about being smart. I was in Junior High (of course) and a close friend told me I sounded like I'd swallowed a dictionary. It probably wouldn't have stung, except that the comment came from a friend.
Most of my friends growing up were nerds, too, so I generally avoided the whole "hide what you know" trap. We created an enclave of intelligence in a world that places a premium on mediocrity - at least until you're old enough to forge your own way. Fortunately, I also had parents who were heavily involved in my academic (and extra-curricular) pursuits and did place a premium on superiority. Education was something to be treasured and it was expected that we would attend university and seek life-long learning.
Most of my friends growing up were nerds, too, so I generally avoided the whole "hide what you know" trap. We created an enclave of intelligence in a world that places a premium on mediocrity - at least until you're old enough to forge your own way. Fortunately, I also had parents who were heavily involved in my academic (and extra-curricular) pursuits and did place a premium on superiority. Education was something to be treasured and it was expected that we would attend university and seek life-long learning.
Getting older and having a successful career - and life - is certainly the sweetest revenge. But every now and then it's nice to see a glimpse of your nerd child self reflected in mass media. This MasterCard commercial is probably one of the best I've ever seen. It makes me smile every time I see it.
I have to admit, it's the ubiquitous backpacks that clue me to the true nerdiness of these boys - not the "Robot Dace." Although, let's be honest: while not exclusively within the purview of the nerd, a love of science fiction or outdated dances from the 90s are certainly indicators that you may get slammed by a gang of thugs on the way home from school.
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Left-Handed Conspiracy
Forget about Democrats and Republicans, the biggest political conspiracy involving the American Presidency over the last 30 years has nothing to do with party affiliation. It's the plot of the left-handed to wield power over the rest of us. Since Ronald Reagan took the oath of office in January 1981, we have only had one right-handed president: George W. Bush. Yes, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton are (or were) left-handed. And now, we are poised to have yet another southpaw in the Oval Office: Barack Obama.
The years before Reagan were also left-leaning. Both Harry S. Truman and Gerald Ford were among the left-handed leaders who tried to steer this country in the Way of the Southpaw. In the 150 years or so before them, we only had two other left-handed presidents: James Garfield and Herbert Hoover. Seems a little odd, doesn't it?
Consider that most studies estimate that no more than 10% of the population is left-handed, and you can come to no other conclusion than a conspiracy is afoot. The Left-Handed are attempting to take over the nation and they've been remarkably effective in doing so. Indeed, Al Gore, a southpaw, only lost the presidency through the astute machinations of the Supreme Court. If it had not been for their foresightedness, we might have been saddled with another left-handed president who would have led us down the wrong path for the last eight years. Close call, that one.
I'm sure the left-handed will just say they are higher achieving - or even smarter - than the rest of us. But don't believe them. Now that they are back in power, we can be sure they will use whatever means necessary to stay there.
The years before Reagan were also left-leaning. Both Harry S. Truman and Gerald Ford were among the left-handed leaders who tried to steer this country in the Way of the Southpaw. In the 150 years or so before them, we only had two other left-handed presidents: James Garfield and Herbert Hoover. Seems a little odd, doesn't it?
Consider that most studies estimate that no more than 10% of the population is left-handed, and you can come to no other conclusion than a conspiracy is afoot. The Left-Handed are attempting to take over the nation and they've been remarkably effective in doing so. Indeed, Al Gore, a southpaw, only lost the presidency through the astute machinations of the Supreme Court. If it had not been for their foresightedness, we might have been saddled with another left-handed president who would have led us down the wrong path for the last eight years. Close call, that one.
I'm sure the left-handed will just say they are higher achieving - or even smarter - than the rest of us. But don't believe them. Now that they are back in power, we can be sure they will use whatever means necessary to stay there.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Barack as President
The "Palin as President" Web site has been updated since Tuesday's election. If you're a fan of the President-elect or at least the Will*i*am song, you'll like the changes.
http://www.palinaspresident.us/
If you simply want to enjoy the bone-chilling terror that is the thought of a Palin Presidency, click on the link at the bottom to the "classic" version.
http://www.palinaspresident.us/
If you simply want to enjoy the bone-chilling terror that is the thought of a Palin Presidency, click on the link at the bottom to the "classic" version.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Exclusive White Male Club Is Over
If you're a white man, you probably don't think about it a whole lot, but the American presidency has always been an exclusive club to which only you could belong. Until now. From here on out, everything is different.
Now that Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States, barriers have been shattered. It won't be more than two hundred years to shatter the next barrier. In fact, I don't think it will be 20 years before we see a female president.
When you break down walls, it becomes so much easier to break them down the next time. It will be much easier to fight the next fight and change perceptions again about what it means to be the leader of this nation. Obama said it best in his acceptance speech last night. "If our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?" More change than we can imagine - and many I look forward to witnessing.
Now that Barack Obama will be the 44th President of the United States, barriers have been shattered. It won't be more than two hundred years to shatter the next barrier. In fact, I don't think it will be 20 years before we see a female president.
When you break down walls, it becomes so much easier to break them down the next time. It will be much easier to fight the next fight and change perceptions again about what it means to be the leader of this nation. Obama said it best in his acceptance speech last night. "If our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?" More change than we can imagine - and many I look forward to witnessing.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Escape Plan
Not that I think that I need one, but it's always nice to have options in case something truly unexpected happens next Tuesday.
Special note to the Shafer family: I guess this disproves that whole "Starving Canadians" rumor!
Special note to the Shafer family: I guess this disproves that whole "Starving Canadians" rumor!
Why I Want a Blowout on November 4th
Sure, a win is a win, but a blowout is so much more enjoyable in politics. The biggest reason probably has to do with all of those whack-jobs who seem to think that somehow McCain is going to pull off the biggest upset of all time and win this year. It’s sort of a mix between the belief that the Bradley effect will somehow fall into play and the assumption that all of the liberal media is in a conspiracy to overstate Obama’s lead in the polls.
The problem is that the Bradley effect has not been an issue at all during this long and arduous election season; plus the so-called liberal media loves a horse race – a close election – more than anything else. Notice how quickly they latched onto the idea that the race might be tightening to a 5-6% advantage for Obama versus a 7-8% advantage for Obama (based on poll averages). You never heard them touting the HUGE advantage Obama had, or the fact that a path to an Electoral College win has become almost impossible for McCain (cf: polls for Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico). They also chatter incessantly about how McCain is making a big push for Pennsylvania – when EVERY poll shows Obama’s lead in the high single digits or the low double digits. The idea that McCain will win Pennsylvania is ludicrous. I guess they need something to buck up the troops right now, though.
The reality is that Obama will be our next president. We need a blowout for the benefit of those who just can’t believe that America isn’t ready to elect a Black man. We need a blowout for the uberpartisan Republicans who thought they were ushering in a permanent majority for the GOP. We need a blowout for the pundits who insist that this country is center-right politically and that Obama must therefore govern from the center. We need a blowout in order to wallow in a little schadenfreude for a change.
The problem is that the Bradley effect has not been an issue at all during this long and arduous election season; plus the so-called liberal media loves a horse race – a close election – more than anything else. Notice how quickly they latched onto the idea that the race might be tightening to a 5-6% advantage for Obama versus a 7-8% advantage for Obama (based on poll averages). You never heard them touting the HUGE advantage Obama had, or the fact that a path to an Electoral College win has become almost impossible for McCain (cf: polls for Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico). They also chatter incessantly about how McCain is making a big push for Pennsylvania – when EVERY poll shows Obama’s lead in the high single digits or the low double digits. The idea that McCain will win Pennsylvania is ludicrous. I guess they need something to buck up the troops right now, though.
The reality is that Obama will be our next president. We need a blowout for the benefit of those who just can’t believe that America isn’t ready to elect a Black man. We need a blowout for the uberpartisan Republicans who thought they were ushering in a permanent majority for the GOP. We need a blowout for the pundits who insist that this country is center-right politically and that Obama must therefore govern from the center. We need a blowout in order to wallow in a little schadenfreude for a change.
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