Eugene Robinson: GOP Lacks Power to Make Big Changes

[babylonsister]

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/12/28/gop_lacks_power_to_make_big_changes.html

GOP Lacks Power to Make Big Changes
By Eugene Robinson


WASHINGTON -- It's been not quite two months' time since Republicans won a sweeping midterm victory, and already they seem divided, embattled and -- not to mince words -- freaked out. For good reason, I might add.

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Any comprehensive solution that sets the nation on a path toward fiscal health will mean that at least some of us pay higher taxes. I wish Boehner luck in explaining this fact of life to his tea party freshmen. He'll have a hard enough time even persuading them to keep the government solvent by voting to increase the debt ceiling, which will soon be necessary.

Of course, Boehner will be able to win Democratic votes for legislation that absolutely, positively has to pass. But if I know Pelosi, who will be minority leader, she'll exact concessions.

Republicans face what, for them, is an unpleasant but inescapable reality. Ideologically, most Americans describe themselves as moderate or conservative; but when it comes to getting assistance from the government, most Americans are moderate or liberal. Look at health care, the issue that won the election for the GOP. According to polls, voters clearly favor the benefits that Obama's reforms will provide. All they really oppose is the insurance mandate that makes those benefits possible.

The idea of small, limited government may be appealing, but this is a big, complicated country. As some Republicans already know, and others soon will learn.

[rfranklin]

1. they don't care what people want...they will pursue their agenda for their patrons...

and gin up some bullshit issue like flag burning to distract everyone during the elections.

And didn't everyone just read about how they are going to use reconciliation to pass bills that screw the average joe and reduce taxes on their patrons?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4675313

[Kurovski]

2. The Republicans are reminding me of a loser boyfriend.

Always bragging about what they're going to do, where they're going to take you, how big their shvantz is, how they make the best fettuccine alfredo in the world, but somehow there is never, ever any evidence of the wonderful things bespoken.

K&R :hi:

[rfranklin]

4. You said you would never tell!

And that fettucine was damn good!

[Kurovski]

6. And we never told the world about...

all the spanking! :spank: :D

[babylonsister]

5. I love that comparison!

:rofl: :hi:

[old mark]

3. K&R - as long as they don't get too much help from the Democrats,

or from "bipartisan" gifts from the administration.

mark