Democracy's Unwillingness

Suddenly many columnists and talking heads are taking note of the GOP's unwillingness to compromise. Before, that was a sign of toughness and strength. Now, as the debt ceiling limit approaches, it's become a sign of foolishness and blindness. It's the same actions and attitudes--only the circumstances have changed.

As a blogger, I'm interested in ideas, in the inner logic and long term thinking that informs the immediate decision. The short term snapshot doesn't tell me if what we are seeing is a bear hug or a death grip.

Death grip, the media is now saying. I'm betting long. I see a bear hug.

Let's talk about what the GOP gains! First, by muddling the issues of governance so badly, many voters will be intimidated or alienated. That's part of their strategy to reduce and naturalize citizen and voter participation at the grassroots level while making the issues as fuzzy as fog. Fog is calling a government issued voucher Medicare. Fog is claiming death panels would decide to make health care affordable. Fog is being concerned that the number one economy in the world, with record profits, trillions of cash on hand, and near zero interest rates is a) in danger of imploding as Greece did (as WI Sen. Ron Johnson shrills), b) is days away from rampant inflation--even as interest rates continue to fall closer to zero, and c) needs tax cuts for the those at the top of the economic ladder to increase demand and create jobs, when wealth at that level is no longer tied to the production of industries or services.

Second, the GOP gains a major distraction by disrupting national government. Taking the system down is their way of taking the government back. The government has high resilience. If the GOP succeeds in a temporary take down, there still sits the pot of gold in the treasury, regulatory authority which has economic impact, contracted services and purchases, the privation of functions and services, all intact; preserved for when the government starts again. (This is Milt Romney's motive and hope.) The GOP is willing to move into a vacant house.

Which brings up an idea again missed by the pundits: the GOP doesn't accept the legitimacy of democracy. Review their actions: no reform, no regulation, no safety net, no taxes; only wealth transfers. Theirs is the politics of command and control.

Third, the debt ceiling crisis is part of a coordinated flanking action to misdirect attention from GOP controlled states, where the real action continues to confiscate the people's money and rights in scorched earth policies like no other ever seen in government. (SC used this strategy before the Civil War.)

Pick any GOP state. Look at the sheer volume, targets and goals of the legislative agenda. You will see no stone being left unturned. States have real property (utility companies, turnpikes, buildings, prime sites). States have less well funded opposition and greater opportunity for taking physical property and service authority private (include prisons, turnpikes, parking meters,liquor sales, college dorms , development), dropping regulation, redirecting revenues. Add teacher certification, fiscal services (the fees on food stamp cards)), other services. The fed is vastly bigger, but the states hold wealth and myriad opportunity directly available for the taking without layers of bureaucracy, resistance, regulation.

Lastly, outside monied interests are calling the shots. Cantor is a puppet. Boehner is an errand boy who is also a lazy politician, not much inured of the details and work of governing. Both are willing to please and sacrifice if the rewards are right. From their view, they are quite sane. They are wondering why all the fuss?

--Walter Rhett

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