January 20, 2007
Expanding Patriotism
I am so proud of the Democrats -- they had their ducks in a row, and have been introducing legislation on a daily basis that's really hard to vote against, unless, of course, a legislator wants to look like an overt criminal, even if he is one.
The minimum wage passed, legislation allowing Medicare to negotiate prices with Big Pharm, (which W. is expected to veto). Interest rates on student loans have been lowered, oil company subsidies rolled back, and most of a more rigorous ethics package has been passed without giving W. line-item-veto power. It looks like the Democrats have also organized some bipartisan opposition to the war. Go, Nancy, go.
And the administration is showing signs of flexibility. Well, maybe it's more like the administration is taking steps to cover behind. Gonzales announced yesterday that wiretapping would be reviewed by the FISA court, sort of . There is a rumor afloat that opposition to the Kyoto Treaty will be softened. Perhaps last week's snow in California/loss of citrus crop, polar icecap shed into the sea, ice encrusted Midwest and European hurricanes, make global warming a tad too obvious. Oh and federal prosecutors are being replaced en masse by neoconservatives, so no criminally involved Republican will ever have to face a loose cannon like Fitzgerald. We also said goodbye to the adoring but feeble Harriet Meirs in favor of brighter buttons who could defend a president should he be ensnarled in legal difficulties. For those of you who will miss Harriet, you will be delighted to know she has a blog though it's a little out of date.
Hopefully the Scooter Libby trial will publicly expose the corrupt relationship between the Bush administration and the press, as well as the slimy path to the war in Iraq. .
All in all, there is reason to be optimistic. We urgently need to do something about global warming, leave Iraq (George McGovern has some ideas), and take back government from the corporatocracy. We can all find a way to do our part. The clock is ticking.
Photo note: A multidimensional American flag, for a change.