March of the Cowards

March of the Cowards

Guess what, dude? The Obama administration reached a deal with Republicans on what’s been dubbed “the tax compromise.” It’s totally sweet. In essence, Democrats have agreed to extend the Bush tax cuts for all income groups, including those who make more than $250,000, in exchange for a 13-month extension of unemployment aid for the long-term jobless, a one-year cut in payroll taxes and tax breaks for small businesses.

Ugh.

Never mind that the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy were originally justified on the basis that they were “temporary stimulus” needed to boost the economy after 9/11. (How’s that working out for ya?)

Never mind that this could add an extra $857 billion to the national debt over the next few years.

Never mind that Obama ran partly on the platform that he would raise taxes on those making more than $250,000, to help curb the spiraling deficit.

Never mind that this is the kind of decision that reflects the complete lack of adult leadership in this country.

That shit’s all nauseating. But it’s par for the course.

That’s not what gets me.

This just strikes me as bad politics, and a perfect example of where Democrats are flat-out cowards.

Why not take a stand on this issue, and let the political ramifications fall where they may?

Imagine, if you will, a parallel universe. In this universe, Democrats have spines. In this Universe, there’s a planet named Luxor. This parallel universe has a country that faces the exact same predicament that the United States faces. Let’s call the country the United Plurality of Whatever. On this planet, in that country, Democrats say they want to extend unemployment insurance for the long-term jobless. Republicans say no, unless Democrats agree to extend the Bush tax cuts for those making more than $250,000.

Democrats politely respond, “Eff you, no way.”

Both sides refuse to compromise.

How does this play out in the press on Luxor? The Republicans get obliterated on the Nightly Show. Anyone resembling a neutral commentators (those exist on Luxor) flame Republicans who refuse to agree to an extension of benefits. Then, over time, popular opinion goes against Republicans. Republicans cave, and Democrats show that they are capable of leadership. Not only do Democrats get what they want, they gain popular approval in the process.

Yes, there might be tough times for some long-term unemployed in the interim. But when you have a financial crisis like Luxor and Earth have, and you have a massive budget deficit like the US and the United Plurality of Whatever have, you can’t avoid pain. You can only make a political decision about who will suffer and when. The $800 billion tab on the $14 trillion dollar credit card bill will have to be paid off sooner or later.

We’re putting at risk our ability to put food on the table in ten years to have extra helpings of caviar today.

And so it goes with the march of the cowards.