Posted on 07/26/2020 4:36:02 AM PDT by karpov
The concerted Republican effort to fritter away both policy and principle in these pandemic times continued apace this week—indeed, it leapt forward. Who needs Nancy Pelosi demanding more spending, more unemployment benefits and more union payoffs when Steven Mnuchin and Mitch McConnell will do it for her?
Five months after the coronavirus’s arrival, Washington has settled into a predictable loop. Speaker Pelosi’s House unveils sweeping virus legislation with vast dollar figures and progressive policy demands. Republicans argue among themselves. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin crashes in to “negotiate” the GOP back to their own 5-yard line. Senate Majority Leader McConnell reminds his caucus it is an election year and provides Mrs. Pelosi her touchdown. America goes another trillion dollars, or two, into debt.
The only difference this week was the speed with which the drive unfolded. By May, Congress had authorized some $3 trillion in virus relief, and Mr. McConnell had mercifully called a “pause.” Yet Mrs. Pelosi responded with another $3 trillion package, and Mr. Mnuchin last week sucker punched GOP senators by signaling White House openness to provisions they had already foresworn. The Senate GOP spending brigade seized on the bill as a chance to throw more cash in an election year. The party’s opening bid is $1 trillion, and that’s before Mr. Mnuchin and Mrs. Pelosi get to truly huddling.
Some spending might be justified in aid of economic growth. But as the White House and appropriators now view this as a vote-buying exercise, the proposals focus on handouts and income transfers that would, if anything, prolong closures. That includes renewal of the federal “enhanced” employment insurance that is paying Americans more to stay at home than go to work.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
Mnuchin is a DEMOCRAT, and I think his wife is a flaming liberal, iirc. NEVER trust a man with a liberal wife...NEVER!
The sad thing is except for the parliamentary powers of leadership, McConnell likely would lose a straight up yea or nay vote on Pelosi’s bill. We can all name the GOPe suspects that would throw unpayable debt to the wind. Except for Rand Paul, they are all socialists and Trump and Mnuchin can read the tea leaves.
GOP and political principles; now THAT IS A JOKE! You mean the GOP that acts like a globalist Chamber of Commerce?
It’s a performance. They are playing their parts.
For that, the GOP have to pretend to be a bit stupid in order to to face their voters.
I’m getting sick of all these people (on both sides) who are willing ... nay, gleeful, to destroy the future to spread a little false comfort today.
They buy votes in November with one bit of legislation, while all their other actions throw the next year, the next decade, the next three generations to the wolves.
If the American voters want to live in a bankrupt, dysfunctional country, then I say let’s go for it. Just give me my $1,200 — or preferably $12 million — as we slide into the sh!tter. I won’t be wearing a mask or shutting down my business while it happens, though.
Mitch McConnell and the GOP aren’t the problem here. The dopes and fools who live in your neighborhood are.
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