So, how do we all feel about these election results? I must admit it's taken me a few days to really do some research and try desperately to dig for any real "news." Sadly, but not surprisingly, nothing new.
I will say that there is some admission to the fact that gridlock is imminent, that jack shit will get done while both parties continue to hold staring contests in the halls of the mighty.
Obama said of the future that there will be disagreements and difficulties inherent in governing with a splintered system, but as always seemed boyishly optimistic about the whole thing. "When it comes to something like energy, what we're probably going to have to do is say here are some areas where there's just too much disagreement between Democrats and Republicans, we can't get this done right now, but let's not wait. Let's go ahead and start making some progress on the things that we do agree on, and we can continue to have a strong and healthy debate about those areas where we don't."
A strong and healthy debate? What is this, middle school debating society? Do you get a tootsie roll if you beat the opposition? Come on Obama. This is ridiculous. The only thing the Republicans can have a strong and healthy debate on is who to bomb before going quail hunting...or maybe that's just Cheney. Regardless, Republicans don't debate on anything. They just filibuster, block it and return to corporate agendas. That's not to say that Democrats aren't to blame. As I've said before, they're up to their necks in corporate sponsored shit, they just don't flaunt it as much. They're the corporate bitches who seem to have a tinge of remorse on their way to the bank, hoping the teller will think it's a birthday present from a rich and eccentric grandmother. But that's Democrats: meek and spineless. Obama doesn't seem to be breaking from that mold that much.
For example, the energy bill he refers to in his quote is his "cap and trade" bill which warranted quite an uproar from the right side of the aisle when introduced. You can find an extensive description of the bill on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Clean_Energy_and_Security_Act) but in short, it calls for a "cap" on the total amount of green house emissions, similar to the European version. As we Americans emit the most (by far) per capita, the bill would be put in place to particularly limit the emissions by corporations and new houses. New businesses and houses would be required to have permits to pollute (sounds fucked, I know), being allowed to trade them between one another once they are in place. The more emissions you wanna spew, the more you gotta cough up, giving the government revenue and people less incentive to be dirty bastards. The cap would gradually go down over time in the attempt to curtail emissions over the years.
Republicans hate it. They claim it will make housing costs sky rocket (just like they thought solar panels would...which is totally wrong by the way) and take away corporate ability to be competitive in local and international markets, stifling their American right to prosper.
Well, what did Obama have to say to that?
"Cap-and-trade was just one way of skinning the cat; it was not the only way. It was a means, not an end. And I'm going to be looking for other means to address this problem."
Ah yes, roll over and play dead and hope they don't maul your pride too much. Republicans, or in fact, bought Democrats (more than a handful) will never agree to any bill that stifles corporations in any way. It's not in their best interest. And that's the primary concern. What's best for you and me and generations to come is far less pressing than the new yacht they promised their family for spring break.
Obama only bolsters that fact. He sacrifices his ideas, of which I must say, many are good, while Republicans armor up and prepare for battle.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell summed up his parties' views with this ultimatum: "The White House has a choice: They can change course, or they can double down on a vision of government that the American people have roundly rejected. If they choose the former, they'll find a partner in Republicans. If they don't, we will have more disagreements ahead."
To which the Democrats reply, OK, let's work "incrementally" towards change. Just please don't shoot me with your NRA approved rifle.
So, there you have it folks. After the dust from the elections has settled, the only thing that looks different is a few names on some doors, and an unusually open admission that jack shit will get done, as per usual.
God bless America.
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