A "Big Deal" From a Galaxy Far, Far Away

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Democrats and Republicans agreed on what constituted a real problem, and so they worked together to forge "big deal" legislation -- because deep down they understood that a meaningful future could only be reached by serious people standing shoulder to shoulder to make tough choices.

Meanwhile, back on planet Earth, because the Republican strategy has been to destroy the president at all costs -- including their own dignity -- the very idea that both parties would come together to agree on a "big deal" is a logical impossibility. Not gonna happen.

Three years into the Obama administration, most people in the country get this basic reality -- most people, that is, with one noteworthy exception.

Consider, for example, President Obama's latest boilerplate post-partisanship pitch in a USA Today Op-Ed, in which he very politely implores Republicans (most of whom spend their days trying to convince the public that he is a liar out to destroy America) to lay down their scorched-earth strategy (that almost delivered them both sides of Congress) and "do something big and meaningful":

This debate offers the chance to put our economy on stronger footing, restore a sense of fairness in our country, and secure a better future for our children. I want to seize that opportunity, and ask Americans of both parties and no party to join me in that effort.

Are we still on planet Earth? Nope.

For Democrats, this op-ed will all make sense. Fairness, opportunity, children -- that is the big deal Democrats want. Even with some painful restructuring of the social safety net, Democrats can hear the message. But for Republicans -- it sounds like a garbled transmission from another galaxy.

The Republican path to a "better future for our children" has nothing to do with anything in the Democratic Party vocabulary, let alone in their legislative "big deal" efforts.

In simple terms, the GOP ongoing "big deal" can be summed up as: destroy Barack Obama.

Of course, there is more to today's GOP than just the 24/7 cynical attempt to undermine the opposition standard bearer. But let's be honest, here -- not much more. And why should there be? They chose a long term strategy to win back all three branches of government, it has been working so far, and they are not going to change course.

What's more, most Republicans are satisfied with the out-of-date policy ideas devised by their party 40 years ago, which leaves of them plenty of free time to hammer away at Obama.

Ask a Republican what "big deal" they want on tax policy, and you get this: lower Obama's taxes (duh).

Ask a Republican what "big deal" they want on safety net programs: cut Obama's programs (double duh).

Ask a Republican what "big deal" they want on discretionary spending: defund Obama's spending (knock, knock... anybody home?).

Why, oh, why then are we still being dragged through these endless, "big deal" legislative battles that go on and on until everyone who once supported the White House -- who wants to support the president -- gets so fed up with all the compromises that they just turn away in disgust?

Maybe, just maybe, the answer simpler than we all think. Maybe somebody just needs to tell him to stop.

How many of you, like me, have fantasized about having a brief conversation of this sort with President Obama?:

BO: Thanks for stopping by.

Good morning, sir.

BO: What's on your mind.

Have you noticed, Mr. President, what counts as a "big deal" for Republicans, these days? It sure as heck does not involve restoring a sense of fairness.

BO: I have noticed.

For example: Today's GOP defines "big deal" as the freedom to buy inefficient lightbulbs and the right of states to secede so that citizens can be protected from having access to affordable health care. These positions are not even in the rational universe, sir.

BO: That is true -- good points. Go on.

Ask yourself this, sir: What is the biggest big deal for the Republican Party heading into the 2012 election? Answer: Barack Obama is the enemy of America.

BO: That doesn't even make sense.

Exactly -- it makes no sense. But the truth is that what counts as a "big deal" for Republicans sounds like a non-sequitor in response to most policy questions. And we are all sick of it.

BO: Nobody more than me.

With respect, then, sir, why are you still pushing for a post-partisan "big deal" that you know can never be achieved without so much compromise that every one who once believed in you starts to turn away in disgust?

BO: We need to cut spending somehow, so we need a deal. Plus, on the political side, to win -- polls show swing voters still respond to post-partisanship. We cannot just ignore the political landscape.

But the GOP will not let the nation default. That would be political suicide for them. So you have the upper hand. As for swing voters: they may respond to post-partisan poll questions, true. But what they respond to on the ground is leadership. Millions responded to leadership in 2008 and they will respond again in 2012. They will not respond, however, to watered down disappointments marketed as "big deals." So, get out there and push a bill that serves the public good, fires up supporters, and ruffles some feathers -- and the nation will rally behind you!

BO: I agree! We should have these talks more often.

Thank you, Mr. President.

OK, OK -- it's just a fantasy. We would all be a bit more nervous in reality. But I am sure that millions of Americans have imagined having some version of this conversation with the commander-in-chief. And why not?

It does little good for the country if time after time the legislative "big deal" delivered by the president is such a watered down compromise with a GOP out to destroy him, that most Americans throw their hands up and grumble, 'Not again...' No good at all.

Nobody knows for sure what will be in the final debt "big deal" or if there will even be a "big deal." But the way things are headed, it looks again like this White House has decided to compromise with the party out to destroy him, leaving millions more erstwhile Obama supporters hanging their heads in disappointment.

Each of us may not get the chance to have the talk with President Obama. But he can still listen. Before it's too late -- before the last supporter turns away in frustration -- he can still listen.

 

Follow Jeffrey Feldman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JeffreyFeldman

Comments

[oldvet]

01:04 PM on 07/25/2011

I'm almost to the point of looking for a Democratic challenger to Obama in the 2012 primaries - someone who is willing to fight back and take the initiative against the Republicans.

[AstroJohnny]

08:27 PM on 07/23/2011

There is one thing I have learned in my life. Despite years and years of trying, I came to the inescapable conclusion that it is impossible to deal rationally with an irrational person, or people, as the case may be. You can not convince an irrational person that there are really no insects crawling on them, no matter how reasonable or rational your argument. At some point, you must recognize the situation and take the necessary steps to see that innocent people are kept safe. Such is the situation we find ourselves in today. Just as any adult should not give in to trantrums or breath-holding, so now, should the president ignore such behavior from the Republicans and lead. It is far past obvious that the Republicans have become dangerously irrational. They have no interest in working together with anyone but themselves. Mr. Obama has shown that he can speak softly, now it is time to bring out the big stick!

[azureblue]

07:40 PM on 07/23/2011

For over 30 years, ever since Reagan, the GOP has spouted the same fiscal policies. Trickle down? Failure. Tax breaks for corporations create jobs? Nope. Allowing corporations to move their money to offshore tax havens? Ha! Personal tax breaks for the rich (as if giving a tax break to a stupidly wealthy person would help anybody) Jeez, come on! And during that 30 years they have proven time and again that all of them fail, except for one thing - to put more money into the pockets of the rich. So after years of creating massive deficits (just go look at the record) and not doing a thing for middle class America, here they are again with the same old story, except now they have to lie, cheat, steal, and bully. There is one true fact, and that is that Clinton managed to balance the budget and leave office with a surplus (which Bush promptly gave to hsi rich friends) and all we have to do is to simply use Clinton's policies again. They worked. The GOP's never have.

[artleads]

07:03 PM on 07/23/2011

An equitable economy would not be based on exploitation or the religion of growth. It wouldn't look like how it does today. The global system in which we live, and which America dominates, would need to be thoroughly transformed. In that transformation, it would be more just and more sustainable. What that transformation would look like has to be the subject of a national discussion. But simply to say that we are broke and the reason for it is the social safety net is in no respect a serious position. There is a much bigger picture that needs to be examined first.

The president's first step on assuming office should have been to begin the national discussion, and not let anyone leave the room till some sort of workable consensus was reached. I suggested that the one area where the two parties could meet was in cutting spending. Cutting spending in such a way as to make the entire system better. I tried, but couldn't get this message to the president. And I doubt that he would have listened if I did. So now there is this rush and tumble to come up with "a deal," absent any thought about where America is heading, or should be heading. To me, this is a glaring symptom of the failure of our government.

[DaveMB]

04:49 PM on 07/23/2011

I agree all this compromising for no reason makes him look weak. He will end up with the same fate as Jimmy Carter if he does not stand for something.

[Francois Bergeron]

07:25 PM on 07/23/2011

I hope you're wrong but it is possible. I think he'll pull another rabbit or two out of his hat...

[Bobotheclown]

03:02 PM on 07/23/2011

But it is too late. Nothing reveals a persons true inner spirit like a crisis and we have had an unending stream of them during Obama's administration. In each crisis when conscience dictated a stand on behalf of the American working people and the Democratic parties century of ideals, each time that has happen Obama has shown cowardice. He has tried to mask retreat by calling it compromise and he has tried to mask betrayal by calling it shared pain. But those are just words and they don't fool anyone. There are liberal presidents and their are conservative presidents but there are never cowardly presidents, at least for more than four years. Cowardice is not a slight flaw, it is a fundamental failing that goes to the heart of a person and which taints everything that they attempt. The Republicabns have accurately taken the measure of this President and they are going to beat him up until he leaves. There are many ways a President could win the debt ceiling crisis but they all entail boldness, leadership, and courage. If you don't have that to draw on you are doomed to lose.

[jhNY]

03:15 PM on 07/23/2011

Not saying you're wrong, only that you might be. There is a difference between cowardice and political calculation. Obama is a doctrinaire defender of a ruinous status quo, who believes those on top ought to be. He raised much money from among the financial overclass, and he knew this class was filled with 'good guys'-- after all, they were wise enough to choose to back him with more of their money than his opponent received. How could he believe, of folks who had been so right to choose him to support, that they could be so wrong about everything else? He has mostly steered harm away from these folks, and steered policy to accommodate their iron whims. It's not cowardice exactly, to my mind. But it's done precious little good for his voting constituency, or the United States generally..

[Razzer]

04:22 PM on 07/23/2011

F&F. Well considered.

[azureblue]

07:44 PM on 07/23/2011

wrong. Obama is trying to play political Chess with gorillas. Which will not work. If anything, he needs to be angry, vocal, and pro- active and and get a big stick, and go after those who have robbed America. Better to be a one term President who turned this country around, than to be a two termer who negotiated and only slowed down America's path to ruin.

[David Schlessinger]

02:50 PM on 07/23/2011

I always read about and hear people say, remember when the republicans and democrats would put differences aside, and work for the common good of the American people to solve problems. I cannot ever remember this happening in my life. The republicans have always been about big business, more money for corporations, more military spending, and a bunch of ridiculous religious social agenda platforms. I can never remember a time in my life when they worked to solve the problems of the American people, the poor, the working class, the middle class, the people who want to work an honest day's work, and get payed a livable salary. So when people talk about some mythical time when they worked together and helped Americans, I can never remember it. It's time to not compromise with the pro-corrupt side, use the power of the veto, the presidency, and the senate to enact progressive legislation, and block the policies which created the disaster we are in now.

[felixelgato]

02:18 PM on 07/23/2011

We are in the middle of a war between the ruling class and the working class. The working class is losing and will ultimately lose for one reason: Too many members of the working class believe the lies Republicans say to scare them - and vote Republican.

[Bobotheclown]

03:19 PM on 07/23/2011

We have been in that war for 100 years and each side has had their ups and downs. The working class that took ascendance during FDR's administraion was finally overthrown in the 1960's by a series of assassinations of liberal leaders that was part of a coordinated right wing coup. Since that time the working class representatives have been under threat of violence and it has caused them to compromise (slowly) almost all of the gains won during the FDR administration. As they have faded a new politics of nationalism, individualism, and corporate control have melded into a national security state that has legally disenfranchised the working class and has backed up their politics with the threat of state sanctioned (police) violence. We live in a world where journalism has been replaced with ruling class propaganda and where working people are systematically discouraged from voting. Through economic warfare we have been moved back to the society that rewarded robber barons and exploited the masses. It no longer matters who the workers vote for, they have squandered their birthright and they will not get it back.

[rae112754]

02:12 PM on 07/23/2011

Well on the bright side, Star Wars is one war Lord Obama didnt get the USA involved in

[Razzer]

04:02 PM on 07/23/2011

Spoken as a true George Dubya Bush fanboy.

Tragic blindness.

[rae112754]

04:13 PM on 07/23/2011

Let me guess. You had relatives in the band on the Titanic

[azureblue]

07:47 PM on 07/23/2011

For sure. It took Bush 8 years to wreck America with his wars based on lies, and Obama is left to clean up the frat boy's mess, while Bush's buddies do all they can to prevent him from doing anything, even if it means destroying this country.

[Skunkman]

01:38 PM on 07/23/2011

The Teapublicans are Hell bent on causing our wonderful country to go into default and to blame our legally elected U.S. born President because they want him to fail. They care nothing for America, the American public, people of color, non millionaires/non billionaires, the elderly, the infirm, children, education, safe food, safe water, safe air, safe work environments, women, gays, lesbians, trans gender, active military, veterans, non evangelical Christians, non Christians, immigrants. Who
should be blamed. Not these guys. It's the people who voted for them against their own interests.

Mike

[Bobotheclown]

03:31 PM on 07/23/2011

Maybe the default will turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to Americans. With default the bond rating agencies of the world will be forced to downgrade our soverign debt to the B classification along with the beggars of the world. The old chant that "America is Number 1!" will sound hollow when the objective judgement of the rest of the world ranks the quality of our operating government and its soverign debt down there with Nambia. Yes, thel cost of all goods will go up and our quality of life will go down, but the real pain will be the dashed illusion that we are better than everybody else. After default we will be ranked among the bums of the world. The fact that this will be a self inflicted wound will not alter the fact that it is financially mortal. Once our debt defaults the next "unthinkable" event will be the failure of our government itself. If America does not want to live together as one country, in harmony, then it will break apart. It has happened before. Maybe America was never meant to be.

[Razzer]

05:14 PM on 07/23/2011

But how does that result in something good, "the best thing that ever happened to Americans"? I'm still listening. Not happily, but I'm still listening. Please finish the story.

[doinaheckuvanutjob]

06:33 PM on 07/23/2011

So you think mass suffering is good.

[tim33ny]

01:40 PM on 07/25/2011

agreed, and hw bush, reagan, and gw, laid the framework for people to vote against their own interest, in such a cheap way. their tax breaks for the rich were obviously not effective in stimulating the economy, but when people look at the two sides they simplify everything and think--- republicans are against taxation, and i don't want to pay more taxes. what they don't realize is that they would be on the recieving end of a progressive tax policy (which is not raising taxes as much as it is ending a tax policy that sounds great to voters but overall hurts the common good). boener and his crew will say over and over again they are not going to raise taxes on the american people, and they conveniently leave out which americans are excluded from the bush tax policies (98%) and everybody gets worried their taxes will increase unless they vote republican. seriously, its one, giant mis-representation, and working relatively well. thats where the outrage should be, but republicans have managed to channel that outrage to social issues....round and round we go.... it really is that sinister.

[MayaBeach]

01:22 PM on 07/23/2011

"...this White House has decided to compromise with the party out to destroy him, "

It makes no sense to deal with The Republicans. 14th Amendment. Public will support this, and raising taxes on the wealthiest, closing oil & gas giveaways, and reducing military spending.

[mustraline]

01:48 PM on 07/23/2011

The President can invoke the 14th amendment just seconds after midnight August 3. I believe that he gets into constitutional trouble before the crisis begins IMHO.

Your other suggestions are good, but only after the House is purged of the Tea-Gaggers. 2012 will have generational consequences.

[Bobotheclown]

03:44 PM on 07/23/2011

But "invoking" the 14th Amendment has no meaning. What he will actually have to do is to issue Executive orders to the Treasury to keep paying (printing) checks under the authority of the 14th Amendment. If the Treasury decides to go along with this it still does not mean that the Fed has to. Even after the Fed agrees to lend money all such notes and bonds will be "special" in that they will be executive order money and will be so known. They will probably offer different interest rates due to their enhanced risk. And all this will be expedited by Congress to the Supreme Court for a ruling on the applicability of the 14th Amendment. Given the 5-4 conservative majority on the court it is anyones guess how they will rule. If they rule against him he will probably be impeached. Or he may resign as a condition of a positive ruling. We are in uncharted waters here.

[1southernbelle]

01:10 PM on 07/23/2011

It is difficult for any rational person to believe the Republicans will prevent economic recovery and go so far as economic catastrophe just to stop President Obama. But they have finally convinced me.

As for low taxes creating jobs: that has been proven wrong. And under President Obama taxes are lower for everyone than they have been since the 1950s.

No wonder we can't get anything done--we can't communicate with each other.


We need IQ and ethics tests for political candidates.

[Bobotheclown]

03:46 PM on 07/23/2011

It is difficult to believe? Really? Do you have a television set? Turn it on.

[mustraline]

11:55 AM on 07/23/2011

The antics this week are yet another example of the consequences of elections, particularly when Democrats and independents, and young educated adults take a pass in voting, as in 2010.

The Democratic Party must begin now, today to get as many people as possible to register, and get a photo ID. The states are already on board to stop college students from voting where they attend school. They have now required photo ID, or a gun license (here in Texas) before voting.

The Tea-Gaggers and the far right lunatics know that they are in the vast MINORITY with their views. And they know that Americans are far more interested in American Idol than in the future of America.

It is for those of us that count themselves as part of SANE and educated America to stop this onslaught of cynicism, anti-intellectualism, and proud ignorance.

[James Leeeee]

11:50 AM on 07/23/2011

I think people are underestimating the will of the Republicans, if they think that they won't default in order to hurt Obama and wreck his presidency -- the main idea the Republicans are shooting for is to get middle of the road voters so disgusted with the tone in Washington by the summer/fall of 2012, so fed up with the nightly news on TV, that the average voter capitulates, holds their nose and pull the lever for somebody else besides Obama, just because they want an end to the madness, the turmoil and the downward spiral that the Republicans have caused over the last two years. Far from being political suicide, a default actually helps the Rs in 2012, because the more chaos there is in the country, the better. Anything and everything that happens can and will be blamed on Obama. Their plan is to keep hammering away, keep screaming "You lie!" at him, keep mocking and insulting the president, keep saying no to everything, and eventually the swing voters will fall away from Obama no matter what he says or does.

[Bobotheclown]

03:48 PM on 07/23/2011

I agree.

[shawshank]

10:36 PM on 07/23/2011

So, what does that say about American voters that continually vote on issues they do not understand?

[ge944]

11:08 AM on 07/23/2011

The repubs come under lincoln's definition of politicians who would rule or ruin this country. That is if the cannot rule the country they want to destroy it.