John Boehner is the Speaker of the House of Representatives. That makes him third in line for the presidency and the second most powerful man in the United States of America. Right now, he wants to prove to you and me he ranks as the top dog when it comes to politics in this country.
Other than the fact it doesn't help out his most affluent contributors, how else can you explain his killing of the pay roll tax cut extension to the middle class earlier today. John Boehner is using this bill during the last moments of a pre election year to illustrate that Barak Obama is a weak president not worthy of votes come next November. He wants everyone to know he and his party are in charge when it comes to politics in Washington D.C.
Be careful of what you wish for Congressman.
Obama's numbers are low, but the poll ratings for this congress deserve a description along the lines of, abysmal. In fact the only people with a possibly lower approval rating are those actively involved in the American Nazi Party and even then it might be close. No one has crunched those numbers lately.
Boehner's act of hubris even has some republicans on the run, especially those in the Senate who are up for re election next year.
Republican Scott Brown of Massachusetts says "The House republican plan to scuttle the deal to help middle class families is irresponsible and wrong." He goes on to say "The refusal to compromise now threatens to increase taxes on hard working Americans and stop unemployment benefits for those out of work." In other words, "Hey, you idiot, I'm trying to hang onto my job here!"
Republican senator Dean Heller of Nevada puts it more succinctly, "What is playing out in Washington is about political leverage, not what is good for the American people."
Earlier today, in an act of institutional cowardice, Boehner and his pals sent the bill back to conference rather than allow an up or down vote on it. In other words the republicans killed the bill without having to go on public record saying they did.
For many this will be Washington as usual and the cynicism and disillusionment will continue to grow in the body politic. For many more this means an additional tax burden, approved by those supposedly against tax burdens. One that increases the ever widening and dangerous gap between a drowning middle class and the wealthiest one percent of the country. Thus, the inexorable march into extinction continues for what used to be the greatest strength of this nation.
In this case, why?
Because John Boehner wants you to know he is the one really in charge and he can.
And there are actually people out there who wonder why I'm a registered democrat.
12-20-11
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