Thursday, February 09, 2006
In regards to the recent tiff between Senators McCain and Barack Obama...
Its hard to understand why McCain would be so angry about the situation, except that we all know he is the great purveyor of "bipartisanship". Obama, in this instance, represents all interests outside of the Republican party, which is to say the greater good. There will be no progress, regardless of what party to which one is affiliated, until those in power are challenged by those from without. In this case that means the Dems coming forth with plans created outside of the incestous current inner power structure of Congress. Put another way, those on the inside, no matter what party, will never be able to govern themselves effectively without oversight of those who have no vested interest in their continuing governship. Therefore, in the instance of lobbying reform, unless Mr. McCain really believes that his own party is not mainly culpable in the current scandle, he should be willing to concede leadership on this issue to the Democrats, who have centered Senator Obama in their reform efforts. This is not to say that the reforms should be set up merely by the Democrats without Republican contribution, but who really believes that would be the case under any foreseeable circumstance? McCain, in his recent letter to Obama, professes a desire to "bring transparency and accountability to the Congress". That cannot be done unless the group outside of power is given the authority to bring about reform they have no vested interest in curtailing. The Republicans have a great interest in maintaing the status quo, because the system as it stands (The K Street project in particular) is not just illegal but specifically recognized as an institution operating to maintain and solidify Republican power as well as extinguish any competition, Democrat or otherwise. If McCain truly believes that the people should be equally and honestly represented in government (that's real bipartisanship, right?) by more than one party he needs to make sure Obama's, the Democrats', and the people's concerns are redressed and not simply belittled.
Its hard to understand why McCain would be so angry about the situation, except that we all know he is the great purveyor of "bipartisanship". Obama, in this instance, represents all interests outside of the Republican party, which is to say the greater good. There will be no progress, regardless of what party to which one is affiliated, until those in power are challenged by those from without. In this case that means the Dems coming forth with plans created outside of the incestous current inner power structure of Congress. Put another way, those on the inside, no matter what party, will never be able to govern themselves effectively without oversight of those who have no vested interest in their continuing governship. Therefore, in the instance of lobbying reform, unless Mr. McCain really believes that his own party is not mainly culpable in the current scandle, he should be willing to concede leadership on this issue to the Democrats, who have centered Senator Obama in their reform efforts. This is not to say that the reforms should be set up merely by the Democrats without Republican contribution, but who really believes that would be the case under any foreseeable circumstance? McCain, in his recent letter to Obama, professes a desire to "bring transparency and accountability to the Congress". That cannot be done unless the group outside of power is given the authority to bring about reform they have no vested interest in curtailing. The Republicans have a great interest in maintaing the status quo, because the system as it stands (The K Street project in particular) is not just illegal but specifically recognized as an institution operating to maintain and solidify Republican power as well as extinguish any competition, Democrat or otherwise. If McCain truly believes that the people should be equally and honestly represented in government (that's real bipartisanship, right?) by more than one party he needs to make sure Obama's, the Democrats', and the people's concerns are redressed and not simply belittled.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Trying Times continues to believe that the vote to bring Hamas to power in the Palestinian elections is paradoxically the best chance for peace that exists in the ongoing conflict. The election, which was orderly and fair by accounts of international observers, was backed by the Bush Administration against the wishes of Ariel Sharon and the Israeli government. Elections only matter when they reflect accurate popular opinion and not do not represent what is seen as best by pundits and interested outside parties. Trying Times postulates that the reason for much of the trouble in the area is the long history of corruption that has plagued all attempts at democracy. It is in this light that the election of a true opposition party is such a blessing in disguise. Only by electing government that the West obviously would not favor in the short term can the long-term benefits of democracy really begin to take hold of the situation. To bastardize Juan Cole, we must lose in order to win. Only when the people of the Middle East believe that they truly have political power to sway events will they renounce the dreadful cycle of suicidal/homicidal violence that keeps everything from moving forward. By seeing that they can effect events without the use of violence, and that the west will indeed encourage them to do so, people will favor staying alive and figthting politically. If this result is truly the Bush Administration's intention, they should be applauded for finally coming down on the side of competence.
