Quote:
Originally Posted by automaton 3
I think the Democrats have an opportunity here if they're smart about it.
IMO the Republicans have gotten by the last few years by largely being a party of "no". The Democrats need to dramatically moderate their agenda. Put Pelosi and Reid on the backbenches. Propose legislation that has broad appeal to the average American and the Republicans will be smoked out a bit.
Great thread and thanks to those that posted their insight, in particular our American friends. American politics are never boring IMO!
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I don't think you're going to see the Republicans propose any new legislation. New legislation has consequences, and I don't think they want any part of that leading up to 2012.
Here's what I think they will do:
1) They'll actually work hard on extending the Bush tax cuts and will genuinely try to abolish the estate tax. At some point they'll offer companies a change to repatriate foreign profits in the US tax free. Of course all this is in stark contrast to their supposed desire to cut into the deficit, but who cares?
2) They'll demagogue on repealing the healthcare bill, but won't dare touch it.
3) They'll have some pointless committees discussing the new black panther party, earmarks, the supposed "science" of global warm... er... climate change, threaten shutting down the govt again over the debt ceiling, and other assorted items to toss as red meat to certain constituents.
4) They won't touch immigration reform because the elder, white demographic doesn't want any of that bidness.
5) They'll actually work to cut down certain small items of discretionary social / cultural spending using headlines such as "$700,000 to study the red midwestern fox???" Of course that won't do anything meaningful to the budget, but so what...
As for the democrats:
1) They'll cave to the republicans like they usually do because they're a spineless collective. The democrats are mentally weaker than a Flames team that just surrendered 2 goals in 12 seconds.
I think the victims of the next two years will be national efforts such as the National Institute of Health, the National Endowment for the Arts, National Science Foundation, and similar other non-defense related programs.