Greenwald: Bipartisanship in DC means Dems enact Repub policies

[unc70]

Glenn Grenwald scores again, cataloging how "bipartisanship" means some Dems joining nearly all Reps to enact Repug policies.


But more importantly, "bipartisanship" is already rampant in Washington, not rare. And, in almost every significant case, what "bipartisanship" means in Washington is that enough Democrats join with all of the Republicans to endorse and enact into law Republican policies, with which most Democratic voters disagree. That's how so-called "bipartisanship" manifests in almost every case.

Many people, especially partisans, always believe that their own side is compromising too much and that the other side is always winning, so it's best to consult objective facts in order to know how "bipartisanship" works. Here are the vote breakdowns by party over the last couple years on the most significant and contentious pieces of legislation, particularly (though not only) in the area of national security.

In almost every case, the proposals that are enacted are ones favored by the White House and supported by all GOP lawmakers, and then Democrats split and enough of them join with Republicans to ensure that the GOP gets what it wants. That's "bipartisanhip" in Washington:



http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/?last_story=/opinion/greenwald/2008/01/30/bipartisanship/

[OHdem10]

1. I have been saying this for years.

Democratic Party--The Appeasers

[ixion]

2. Indeed... I've been insulted twice on the board today because

I'm not marching in lock-step with the Hillary, who is queen of the appeasers.

It's frustrating, really.

[unc70]

3. Greenwald at Salon provides detailed analysis of major votes

Many of us have characterized bipartisanship as appeasement, but it is interesting to see Geenwald documenting it more "objectively".

[lonestarnot]

4. It's not even a code word. It's right out in the open.

[slipslidingaway]

5. This ad was posted as an update...

"UPDATE: This superb ad, from Martin Heinrich, a Democratic candidate for Congress in the 1st District of New Mexico, makes the point about as well as a political advertisement can make a point -- is it really that difficult for other Democrats to convey this message?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWwLUMjn51c


Kucinich has said the same thing...

http://www.alternet.org/story/74268

"Hedges: Have we evolved into a corporate state?

Kucinich: I Look at it as the political equivalent of genetic engineering. That we've taken the gene of corporate America and shot it into both political parties. So they both now are growing with that essence within...

It was a Democratic president that made it possible for NAFTA to be passed, causing millions of good-paying manufacturing jobs that help support the middle class. . . .

NAFTA, GAT, the WTO, China Trade, and every other trade agreement that's passed in Congress has been passed with the help of either the leadership of or with the help of the Democratic Party,...

So what I see is that the Democratic Party abandoned working people, and paradoxically they're the ones who hoist the flag of workers every two and four years only to engender excitement, and then to turn around and abandon their constituency. This is now on the level of a practiced ritual.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. K&R

[wiggs]

7. One big Hannity and Colmes show. Partisanship is an illusion. There is only

the corporate party. How they must laugh together when behind closed doors.

It's been clear since the IWR, but really obvious since 2004.