The Year of Republican Discontent

In a move that should surprise no one, renegade Tea Party members have decided to kill a bill that would have extended the payroll tax cuts and unemployment benefits for the next two months, and allowed beleaguered Americans to breathe a momentary sigh of relief as they approached the Christmas holidays.  Instead, they face a rise in taxes and the loss of unemployment compensation.  What a wonderful gift, thanks to the Tea Party.

The bill, a work of compromise between Senate Democrats and Republicans, passed the chamber in a bi-partisan vote, 89-10.  Just the fact that the two parties actually worked together on this legislation was viewed as a near miracle, so much so that President Obama agreed to sign a $915 billion spending bill in good faith that he had threatened to veto previously.   Speaker of the House John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor were reportedly on board with the agreement, as the bill still had to pass the House.  That’s where the Tea Heads came in.

As soon as the Senate passed the measure, Tea Heads started to rumble.  They complained that not enough budget cuts were made to justify the lower taxes.  They said unemployment benefits had been extended far enough.  They said the bill was an insult to the American people.  And most surprisingly, they claimed that the Democrats were trying to raise taxes on the middle class.  Isn’t that a scream?  They kill the tax cuts, then claim Democrats were responsible.  To paraphrase Mr. Rourke, “Welcome to fantasy Congress,” where illusion becomes reality.

But this isn’t the first time Tea Heads have made Speaker Boehner eat crow (though he now claims he was never in favor of the bill in the first place.)  During the summer, in the midst of the debt crisis, Mr. Boehner and President Obama worked out a budget compromise that seemed to suit both parties.  But when the bill was brought before the House, Tea Head members shot it down, much to the surprise of arguably the most powerful Republican in America.  So he shouldn’t be surprised at this insurrection.  He simply can’t control his own party.  The last time a Speaker of the House lost control of his party he was forced to resign.  Can you say Newt Gingrich?

The Tea Heads, for their part, don’t care about America, or what they do to it.  They are a single-minded set, and care only about how much money is in their pockets.  They swore allegiance to Grover Norquist, and actually signed documents for him vowing never to raise taxes.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t they supposed to work for the American people, and not just Grover Norquist?

The Republicans have lately made a habit of saying no to any legislation put forth by Democrats, in an effort to unseat President Obama in the 2012 election.  This tactic has worked well – if you view inaction as success – but it has led to the Tea Heads using the same tactic against their own party. How does that feel Mr. Boehner and Mr. Cantor?  Your own stifling policies have been turned against you.  Not fun, is it?

Now no one is happy.  President Obama signed a spending bill he would have otherwise vetoed, on the assumption that Republican leaders would follow through and supply the votes to pass the bill in question.  Senate Republicans, along with Speaker Boehner, are busy wiping egg off their faces; and judging at least from the comments coming from the upper chamber, they are not pleased.  And the American people, who have had to suffer through the most divisive Congress in history, are being hung out to dry, as usual.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, courtesy of the Tea Party.  Have a nice holiday.