I wrote something this morning but I didn’t like it, so I decided to reach back in the archives. I wrote the column below three years ago today. Sadly, it is as true today as it was then if you just change the name of the legislation. The Republicans have done NOTHING constructive during these past three years. Obstruct. Obstruct. Obstruct. Why? Because they put the ego of a petulant man-child before the needs of the country. It’s a continuing embarrassment for this country.
The House of Representatives passed the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill yesterday with the vote going pretty much along party lines. Polls have shown that this relief package is widely supported in a bi-partisan way by about two thirds of Americans. Ironically, as pointed out in Paul Krugman’s column that I posted previously, even some Republicans who don’t believe that Biden was legitimately elected, are supportive of the relief package. (Go figure!). So, the question is, “Why are the Republicans in Congress uniting against passage of this bill?” The answer is actually quite simple. Elections in 2022 and 2024.
The argument from the Republicans that it is ‘too expensive’ given their willingness to look the other way as the national debt skyrocketed under Trump is just hollow with hypocrisy. The Republicans are acutely aware that if, as most economists predict, the COVID relief bill will goose the economy into a faster recovery, then the prospects of the Republicans regaining control of the House and Senate are considerably dimmed in 2022. It is well understood that people, in general, vote with their pocketbooks. If the economy is doing well and unemployment is low, it becomes much more difficult to argue that the incumbent administration is not doing its job. Trump was betting on the economy to get re-elected and then the coronavirus hit. His huge mishandling of the pandemic coupled with a tanking economy led to his defeat.
The worst possible scenario for the Republicans is if the COVID relief package really does get the economy going again and drives unemployment substantially down. It would be great for America but bad for the Republican party which is exactly why they are against passing the bill. Another classic example of putting party before country.
When Obama inherited the Great Recession in 2008 most economists, including Janet Yellen, Biden’s new Treasury Secretary, agree that the stimulus package that the government used to rescue the economy was too small which led to a much slower recovery than was desired. Both Joe Biden and Janey Yellen were part of that effort and have learned from that mistake. Both agree, and many economists join them, that going too small on the relief package will be much worse than going too big. Going too small could lead to a repeat of the slow recovery from the Great Recession and it is important the country recover quickly. It is extremely sad that the Republican party is willing to try to torpedo this stimulus package and put millions of Americans livelihoods at risk so they can improve their chances for political victories in future elections. Make no mistake. That is exactly what this is about.
In addition to the Republican attempts to block this COVID relief package, they are engaged in a massive country-wide effort to enact laws to restrict voting rights and, even in some states, strip powers from election officials. These actions, in spite of all of the rhetoric, have nothing to do with ‘voter security’. They are simply designed to restrict voting and skew the electorate in their favor. These efforts are no different than the excessive gerrymandering that has taken place in predominantly Republican states. If you can’t win fairly, change the rules! I think we all experienced that as kids playing games, but its distressing to see elected officials playing these same games.
To cap it all off, there is the CPAC love fest for Trump taking place in Florida. There has been very little discussion of policy but a lot of examples of fealty to Trump. I particularly like the large golden statue of Trump they rolled in and which people seem to be idolizing. As I recall, there was a story in Exodus about people worshipping a golden calf while Moses was up on the mount receiving the ten commandments from God. I don’t think it ended very well for them. I find great irony in the fact that the religious right are some of Trump’s most ardent supporters and there it is – a golden likeness of Trump. I wonder what Moses would say? I’m not religious at all but I suspect he would be thoroughly disgusted.
The bottom line is that all of the actions being taken by the Republican party today have one thing in common. They are all geared with an eye toward the 2022 and 2024 elections first and foremost. Party before country – whatever the cost.
