The Silly Season

I am listening as I write this to President Obama giving a campaign speech in Parma, Ohio. Talking about the America he believes in. The America which allowed both him and Michelle to rise from their humble beginnings to become rich lawyers and ultimately, the First Family.

But this isn’t 2008. And he isn’t a candidate. Trouble is his Democratic party – and all the Congressmen and one third of the Senators and a bunch of Governors – ARE candidates. And the Republicans are tasting blood. And a huge victory.

The latest polls show a huge dissatisfaction with the current administration. President Obama’s approval ratings are in the 45-46% range. Two thirds of those asked think the country is heading in the wrong direction.

Going political at this point may be too little too late for the President and his party. Mr. Obama has been so busy since he took office trying to bring Republicans and Democrats together (an admirable concept) that perhaps he hasn’t really looked at America recently. We’re a country so dangerously polarized in all ways – politics, religion, social issues and yes – wealth – that it would take news that a huge meteorite was about to hit Toledo to pull Americans out of their funk. It would HAVE to be Toledo. If it were heading toward Washington – or even New York City --- I think it would still be business as usual around the Fox News Network’s TV hearth.

Now -- we have these Bush tax cuts --- which will expire at the end of this year. AFTER the midterm election. President Obama and the most liberal Democrats are determined to let them expire on the richest Americans making over $250,000 a year. Problem is --- if those tax cuts just expire --- they will expire for the middle class as well. And everyone but the very poor will be hit with higher Federal taxes.

Standard economic theory says you don’t raise taxes during a recession. So there have been ideas floated by some economists to extend the tax cut for – say – a year. Or keep it alive –but just for the middle class.

Ah – but that could help the Democrats in November. So even if the Republicans think it’s a good idea ---- don’t look for any cooperation of any kind from them.

Tyler Mathisen said it best on CNBC’s Power Lunch today. I’m paraphrasing but as he put it – the Senate Republicans will block anything the Democrats propose before the election – or in the lame duck session after it. Which means – pure and simple - a tax increase for the middle class. Tyler is an honest, intelligent reporter. He’s also human. His frustration spoke for all thinking Americans.

This political gridlock in Washington benefits no one – except maybe a few politicians. And it hits exactly the folks who are most fearful about their jobs if they have them or least able to get new jobs if they don’t. Exactly the folks who have pulled back on spending recently. Exactly the folks who desperately want to see solutions from their government – whether Republican or Democratic – which can give us all back the America we believe in.