The Appearance of Checks and Balances

[berni_mccoy]

The word has been out for about 3 weeks (since the STOTU) that the Democratic platform for this year's election is about Checks and Balances (the "There is a Better Way" platform went over like a lead balloon). Checks and Balances are something all Americans value in government (republicans really don't trust government) and checks and balances are something our government currently lacks with the republican controlled congress and the Bush administration. What law passed by congress has been vetoed by Bush? None. How many legislative initiatives of Bush have passed through Congress like "a hot knife through butter"? Ok, maybe 1 or 2 out of hundreds has not, but so far, almost every single one (can you say "rubber stamp"?).

And republicans can not blame democrats for a single failure of our government: 9/11, Iraq, Torture, Failing Economy, Corruption THROUGHOUT the republican members of government, Intelligence Failures based on vendetta-driven policies designed to quiet opposition and criticism, Record Trade Deficits, Record Budget Increases, Record Government Debt, Katrina response, sky-rocketing costs of living, loss of civil liberties, the list goes on and on. There basically are no success stories that republicans can run on.

Republicans platform this year? Democrats have nothing to offer. Yep, that's it. They tried the "weak on terra" mantra again, but that's not going to get them. Americans are tired of being scared. Americans are tired of listening to Hannity, Rush and Drudge be mouthpieces for the administration. Americans see the financial perfect storm this administration is brewing for them and their children, Americans see the cronyism and nepotism growing in the administration, Americans saw the towers fall, Americans saw the bodies floating in the water, Americans see the record profits of oil companies, Americans see the torture photos, Americans see the flag-draped coffins returning home every day.

The problem with the republican platform this year, is that it's blatantly wrong. Americans see that Democrats have one thing to offer that republicans simply can't: Checks and Balances. That is the only thing that has chance at turning our government around and bringing America back from the grips of a dark age we are surely set to enter if Americans do not stand up and will it to be.

And that leads me to the point of this post. Why did we even hear about the Port Deal? Did some investigative reporter dig into the government and break this hot, hot story? I doubt it, given the complacency of the media throughout this administration. Under normal circumstances, Americans would never even have known a foreign controlled company was running our ports. How many Americans knew a British company controlled them? How many people here knew? I know I didn't. Hell, Bush and Rumsfeld said they didn't even know (which is total poppycock). The point is, we know because the administration wants us to know.

Why do they want us to know? It certainly doesn't help Bush. It certainly has upset 90% of Americans. But who are the loudest opponents of this? Republican congressmen. Not just any, but some of the most administration-loyal republicans. And Bush is out there saying "I'll VETO any attempt to block this." And that has everyone scratching their heads. The republican controlled congress is going to "check" the president?!?! Many of us here initially cheered that response. But some of us thought it smelled bad. And it does smell bad, about as bad as it can get. The stench now is so critical that it's hard to breathe. The administration leaked this deal so the republicans in congress could appear to provide the "checks and balances" Americans so desire.

But this port deal seems like it's one that the Bush administration really wants to go through. Which means that if congress does move to block it, it will really screw things up for Bush. That's all just smoke and mirrors my friends. The republicans in congress will "perform" their duties and end up discovering that there is no risk to security at all (and actually, somehow, this deal will be strategic, perhaps militarily for a war against Iran <think Straight of Hormuz> ). Yes, the republicans will appear to perform their duty, the Port deal will go through and Bush will restore faith in "merkuns" that he's the best for national security and defense (and he may even get his war with Iran too).

Democrats will be left without a platform, will continue to be powerless in Congress and continue to look weak on defense. It's all a sucker-punch setup and right now the Dems are headed for a knock-out punch to the chin. I fear for this outcome, I can see it happening, and hopefully this message will get through to someone who can verify the strategy. If my speculations are correct, then perhaps there is time to dodge this, taking only a glancing blow and perhaps, just maybe, counter with a solid hit while the republicans are off-balance.

[berni_mccoy]

1. Kicking for the day crowd

I hate to do this myself... but...

This article has suggesting evidence for this possibility: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x499306