One continuing source of frustration for many of us was the difficulty in passing good legislation. There were endless negotiations and compromises that kept weakening good bills. Part of this was because of the unprecedented abuse of the filibuster by Republicans. However, this was only possible because Democrats wanted to get things done and Republicans were perfectly happy if nothing got done (economy is way less important than handing defeats to Democrats). This creates an imbalance of power because our system makes it so easy to do nothing instead of something. The Senate has things like secret holds and unanimous consent which really allows one Senator to disrupt the whole process. Despite their minority status Republicans used this power effectively to block legislation.
The lame duck session is about to start and finally, finally Democrats have something that Republicans want. Republicans want to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. Now Democrats are already talking compromises like extending them temporarily (despite all evidence that these tax cuts hurt the economy) so they can get the tax cuts for the rest of us. Last I heard, the Democrats are going to cut the tax cuts into two bills – the tax cuts for most of us and the expiring cuts for high earners. Good. That’s what we told them to do before the election (yeah, how did that work out Blue Dogs?). What’s to stop a Democratic Senator (how about you, Russ Feingold?) from blocking the high earners bill from coming to the floor unless they get their wants addressed? What if someone refused to let the Bush tax cut bill come to the floor unless we got a non-filibustered vote on the Public Option? Or DADT repeal? Or judge confirmations?
Another thing I learned from the election is that even though the term “bipartisan” makes the press happy, voters don’t care. In my opinion, bipartisan means “get stuff done.” The lazy way of thinking is that if government is divided both sides will have to work together to do business. That’s true if both sides are committed to governing. One side isn’t so it won’t work. I already see Republicans falling into a big mistake – their first priority will be repealing health care reform. For one, it won’t happen because Democrats still control the Senate and even if it got through Obama would veto it. Whatever. People’s main concern is the economy. Republicans playing around with health care and launching nuisance investigations will not go over well if they aren’t doing anything to address the economy.
I’ve also learned from this election is that their is absolutely no reward for Democrats for helping out big business. Republicans pulled a nifty trick of bailing out banks and making Democrats take the blame for it. Republicans, in fact, ran against bailouts and were supported by the very business who were bailed out. So, why would Democrats even try to help big business? They will only use their money to run against you, because big business doesn’t care about middle class Americans, their CEOs only care about their own wallets (more tax cuts! weeee!). The New York Times has even recognized this disconnect:
“An apology is due Barack Obama,” wrote The Economist, which had opposed the $86 billion auto bailout. As for Government Motors: after emerging from bankruptcy, it will go public with a new stock offering in just a few weeks, and the United States government, with its 60 percent share of common stock, stands to make a profit. Yes, an industry was saved, and the government will probably make money on the deal — one of Obama’s signature economic successes.
Interest rates are at record lows. Corporate profits are lighting up boardrooms; it is one of the best years for earnings in a decade.
All of the above is good for capitalism, and should end any serious-minded discussion about Obama the socialist. But more than anything, the fact that the president took on the structural flaws of a broken free enterprise system instead of focusing on things that the average voter could understand explains why his party was routed on Tuesday. Obama got on the wrong side of voter anxiety in a decade of diminished fortunes.
I see one thing Democrats can do – stop cooperating with big business. It’s unpopular. The Republicans are supported by big business, let them do their bidding. It sure would be nice if someone was questioning if what business wants is what is best for the rest of America.
So, will Democrats do any of this? I’m not holding my breath but a gal can dream can’t she?