Caveman politics.

To comprehend our present predicament, I believe the only way to move forward is to look at our past. I’m not talking a year ago, or a decade, or even a century. I’m talking waaay back.

Humans have always perceived reality through a sort of political looking-glass. In order to make sense of things, a person’s heart and mind must be in agreement.

We’re back in the stone-age, as a small band of hunter-gatherers stumble upon a watering hole. This little group is now in possession of something more precious than gold. Life is wonderful for a while, till that fateful day when another group of cave-dwellers spot the creek.

The first instinct is to fight to the death for the sole right to the water. Let’s say our original small band of warriors wins, but half the group dies in the battle. Time passes, and another group of outsiders show up at the creek. This time our prehistoric friends are divided.

They can’t just let the enemy take what’s theirs; but how many more men can they afford to lose? Two camps arise: one advocating to fight like the last time, the other wanting to share the water with the intruders. This is the birth of politics. Conservatives/Republicans/Nazis wanting to hold on to what is theirs no matter what; and Liberals/Democrats/Communists wanting to “share the wealth”.

So, which side is right?

Wrong question. It’s not a matter of right versus wrong. It’s a matter of winning or losing. And as Solomon so keenly observed, there’s a time when the conservative way is best suited for the situation at hand; and there’s a time when the liberal approach makes more sense.

Our great nation has been on a conservative course since Day One of the Reagan Revolution. I may be in the minority but I’m convinced it’s time for a liberal awakening.

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The last days of the Obama presidency.

Another day, another misstep by Obama. This morning the President once again inserted himself smack in the middle of the debt reduction talks. Once again, he spouted nonsense about bipartisanship. As more than one political pundit reminded us, the only thing Obama can do is either sign or veto a bill put before him. He has no business getting involved in the adult process of getting a bill passed in Congress. Mr. President – leave it to the professionals.

Let’s go through a short list of his failures to get a debt deal done.

Simpson-Bowles. Did he sign it into law? Nope. Never got through Congress, as it was met with disapproval from both parties.

A clean debt ceiling bill. Never got through the House.

The Biden Plan. Talks broke down after Obama tried to finesse the deal through “compromise”.

The Grand Bargain. Speaker Boehner had to literally walk out on the President upon indications the Tea Party wouldn’t march in lock-step with the President and his “balanced approach”.

Cut, Cap and Balance. Didn’t make it through the Senate after Obama threatened to veto it.

And now a last-ditch effort by Speaker Boehner to get a deal done by asking the Tea Party to make huge sacrifices to Obama seems perilously close to failure.

Throughout the debate, the President has failed to lead every time he let congressional leaders battle over the details. Throughout the debate, the President has acted like a dictator, summoning congressional leaders to the White House.

Mr. President, let me remind you, it was Bush who was The Decider – not you.

It is still possible to save the country from economic collapse. All we need to do is get Obama and Biden to resign in disgrace, and have John Boehner assume the Presidency. Eric Cantor would then take over as Speaker. Then we’d see Washington back on track. After all, it’s important to note that if John McCain were President, this debt ceiling nonsense would have cleared Congress not in a matter of months, but in a matter of hours.

Have it your way.

Prevailing wisdom says let the government default. Allow our credit rating to drop. Pay the interest on our outstanding debt first and stop payments on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Do not, under any circumstances, raise taxes.

I’ve reached the point that I realize opposing those ideas is counterproductive. Any kind of balanced approach to solve our debt crisis and avoid default will not succeed in Washington, and is anathema to the vast majority of the American people. They want Obama out of office and they want America to start over, with a clean slate.

No logic, no reason, will change anyone’s mind, so what’s the point? Americans are more upset that Obama interrupted The Bachelorette than that we might be headed for a major economic crisis. So, have it your way.

Hope that clears it up…

Washington’s debt ceiling showdown is nearing a dramatic Hollywood blockbuster conclusion sure to keep pundits and partisans on the edge of their seats till the final credits roll. This is clearly a case where right-versus-wrong logic fails us. There are many conflicting and divergent aspects to this situation.

Republicans generally believe taxes are a drain on the market, which is bad for jobs. Democrats generally believe the only fiscally responsible position is to look at both sides of the ledger, revenues and spending. Some on the left sincerely believe the federal government has an obligation to stand up for the disenfranchised. Some on the right sincerely believe in limited government. Many simply enjoy the brinksmanship. Some are wholly owned subsidiaries of interest groups. Most of them are worried about getting reelected. And I believe all of them think they’re doing what’s best for the country.

Hope that clears it up…

Question:

How can you negotiate with someone who won’t return your phone calls?