If Rethugs refuse to negotiate in good faith, Obama and the Dems should tell them where to go

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/jan/28/barack-obama-republicans-bipartisanship

If Republicans in Congress refuse to negotiate in good faith, Barack Obama and the Democrats should tell them where to go


Cliff Schecter guardian.co.uk,
Wednesday 28 January 2009 14.30 GMT

Conservative ideologue, Republican strategist and obsessed slayer of any and all taxes large and small, Grover Norquist, once referred to bipartisanship – in his trademark subtle manner – as "date rape". Now, while I personally don't subscribe to that line of thinking, it would be best for the Obama administration to understand that many of Norquist's friends and colleagues do.

If the past week has proven anything, it is this fact.

Bipartisanship – or in this particular case, working across the aisle to achieve the landmark legislation that is required in this time of crisis – is noble in its intent and a superior way of conducting business in a democracy. But as the kids say these days, the devil's in the details. snip

Bipartisanship should be sought when reasonable Republicans come to the table in good faith. But when demagogues use false issues such as "contraception funding" (that would be you John Boehner) or false numbers such as the cost-per-job created, these are men and women not to be appeased. In fact, for once and once only, I will recommend that you think to yourself: What would Dick Cheney do if Pat Leahy were approaching him in the Capitol with a hearty handshake and a smile.

Because with their bogus policy complaints that seek to sink the Obama administration for partisan purposes and take this country toward economic catastrophe and endless war, they are repeating that most famous utterance to you, President Obama, each and every day.

If they won't compromise, we can just load the stimulus bill with what we want.

But if the hand of friendship gets slapped away and they get attacked for their trouble by the Republicans, then yes Obama and the Democrats should be perfectly comfortable with telling these GOP clowns to go straight to hell.

In other words, would you allow them to only murder on Monday, Wednesday and Friday?

You do not satisfy the demands of your minority opposition simply because they exist. Rather, you should seek to satisfy the needs of the situation to the best of one's ability. The problem here is that the correct solution should be sought, not the compromised solution. If you, idealogically, disagree with one party's stance on economics, and you think their entire approach is backwards and wrong, wouldn't entertaining their ideas introduce errors into one's approach automatically?

Times like this leave little room for dogma, political negotiations, etc. You need to do what is right. Look at the numbers, the math, the facts. You don't just keep throwing around billions in tax cuts to make the rich ruling elite Republicans happy.