So it’s a trap. If the Democrats want a fight on the budget, fine. The less important point is that the Republican party has decided to actually say the dread phrase “entitlement reforms” – which is something that most of the people reading this have almost given up hope to ever hear them do. The more important point is that this is the right thing to do.
Two thoughts, to finish this off:
- If you’re one of those types who will spend the next five hours poring through Republican statements looking for the one sub-clause of a minor codicil of a impromptu utterance that might be taken as being slightly inconsistent with the elaborate fantasy edifice of “100% True Conservatism” that exists in your head, in order to proclaim utter betrayal with a side order of bitter satisfaction… sit down. Shut up. You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake; you are not helping; and we never counted on your support in the first place. And if you’re offended by that? Excellent, especially if it makes you flounce off in a huff.
- If, on the other hand, you’re one of those types who will happily encourage the Democrats to engage in a strategy that you know is bad just because you think that it’ll help them/you win the next election… well, first off: I’m not your priest, but you may want to consult one, because that’s an excellent way to go to Hell*. Second, contemplate this: let’s say you’re right. Let’s say that doing the right thing here will hurt the Republicans. And let’s say that we know this, and we decide to do it anyway. Here’s the question: If we’re going to lose anyway, what’s stopping us from going completely for broke? If the GOP will be demagogued into losing the House for daring to call for reforming Social Security anyway, why should we not eviscerate HUD or HHS in the process? If we’ll be spanked for making efforts to fix Medicare, why on earth shouldn’t we also fix Labor and Energy, and by ‘fix’ I mean ‘zero out their budgets and turn off their HVAC?’ As the saying goes, typically you can only hang a man once. And the one useful thing about being doomed is that it allows you to concentrate on essentials.
Have a nice day!
Moe Lane
*That’s the funny thing about Hell; your opinion (and mine, to be sure) on whether you should or should not be there is usually the last one solicited. If at all.
But of course, that is exactly what the D’s did with their last two years.
Go for broke. Alamo-style. Go out with a BANG and make as much of a difference as possible.
I completely agree with everything you just said. Could not have said it better than myself. That’s why I like you Moe, we are on the same page 99.9% of the time.
@Stan Pruss – I wonder if they’re self-aware enough to feel dumb for setting the precedent? If Republicans go hell-bent-for-leather on tearing down the governmental overgrowth they’ve wanted to get their claws on for decades, I’m willing to bet that the result would set back the liberal agenda more significantly than the last two years have advanced it. Here’s part of the reason, as I see it: conservatives have a speed advantage. Liberals must find justifications and excuses for their expansions of government control. Even a blatant power grab takes time in the American system, as we see playing out with the health care case(s) moving through the courts. A reduction in government, however, needs no authorization. There are legislative concerns (i.e. the Senate), but once the bill or budget is passed, the deal is done. No legal wrangling (or very little), just lots of unemployed former federal parasites and a much smaller tax burden.
“Let’s say that doing the right thing here will hurt the Republicans. And let’s say that we know this, and we decide to do it anyway. Here’s the question: If we’re going to lose anyway, what’s stopping us from going completely for broke?” Agreed in principle, though I just felt some icy fingers up and down my spine, because I’m pretty sure this same sort of reasoning was taking place behind closed doors at high-level Democratic strategy sessions a year or two ago.
And just so we’re clear: the icy fingers I felt did not issue forth from That Ol’ Black Magic. Rather, they belong to That Ol’ Deja Vu. Hopefully our efforts don’t take us to the same place theirs took them.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Imagine what would happen if the GOP fought a budget-cutting battle, and then WON at the polls the next election. Democrats would be DOOMED.
My hope exactly, Finrod!