I had a posting set for this week on the golden ratio, an exciting mathematical number with artistic connections. Then on Monday I saw the following in the New York Times, and disgust drove me to change. This is what I read.
House Democrats return to Washington on Monday facing a difficult choice: Should they hand President Trump a victory in the midst of a heated impeachment battle or walk away from one of the most progressive trade pacts ever negotiated by either party?
I hate what that says. It says the Democratic members of Congress are making a decision about a trade policy, an update of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). But that decision may not be based on what’s best for the economic well-being of the United States, but rather on what would be the best political strategy to do damage to President Trump.
Exactly what I’ve been railing about the Republicans doing.
Even though the suggested policy, which needs Congressional approval, surprisingly includes many features long desired by Democrats.
Even though a Democrat has said it is better than the original NAFTA. You know, that NAFTA President Trump has derided from his earliest days on the political stage.
Even though a Republican indicated it was the type of deal the Obama administration would have fought for.
Even though some Republicans are ready to vote against it.
I don’t know anything about trade or what constitutes a beneficial agreement. This is not about the merits of the deal. It is about the decision-making process for approving it.
Seems to me the proper approach is for our representatives, some of whom presumably do understand trade, to examine it and see if it’s in the best interests of the vast majority of the citizens of our country. If they determine it is, vote for it. If not, vote to defeat it. But do it based on its merits (or lack thereof), not politics.
The statement at the beginning indicates the Democrats might reach a political decision. Some Republicans will support it, if Trump signs off, because they don’t want to go against him. Neither approaches merit admiration.
I’m disgusted by Republicans putting politics before policy. But I’m also disgusted by Democrats doing the same thing. It’s time they all grow up, find courage, and do what’s right no matter the personal cost.
I understand why the Democrats are worried. They know that, if it passes, Trump will claim all credit, saying: it’s the best deal ever made, Obama would never have been so successful, and it was achieved in spite of the Democrats.
The Democrats are afraid it will help Trump’s reelection chances. So am I. After all, I have said over and over that the only issue in 2020 is his defeat. I would not be at all surprised if he made overtures to the Democrats about the agreement for the sole purpose of removing our minds from the impeachment proceedings and improving his reelection chances.
But I guess I was wrong. There are bigger issues than his defeat. Integrity. Love of country. Honesty. Courage.
It’s too bad the bigger issues are left in the hands of the lesser mortals.
Grow up, Republicans. Grow up, Democrats. Show us you can work together for the common good of our shared country. Do it now!
House Democrats return to Washington on Monday facing a difficult choice: Should they hand President Trump a victory in the midst of a heated impeachment battle or walk away from one of the most progressive trade pacts ever negotiated by either party?
I hate what that says. It says the Democratic members of Congress are making a decision about a trade policy, an update of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). But that decision may not be based on what’s best for the economic well-being of the United States, but rather on what would be the best political strategy to do damage to President Trump.
Exactly what I’ve been railing about the Republicans doing.
Even though the suggested policy, which needs Congressional approval, surprisingly includes many features long desired by Democrats.
Even though a Democrat has said it is better than the original NAFTA. You know, that NAFTA President Trump has derided from his earliest days on the political stage.
Even though a Republican indicated it was the type of deal the Obama administration would have fought for.
Even though some Republicans are ready to vote against it.
I don’t know anything about trade or what constitutes a beneficial agreement. This is not about the merits of the deal. It is about the decision-making process for approving it.
Seems to me the proper approach is for our representatives, some of whom presumably do understand trade, to examine it and see if it’s in the best interests of the vast majority of the citizens of our country. If they determine it is, vote for it. If not, vote to defeat it. But do it based on its merits (or lack thereof), not politics.
The statement at the beginning indicates the Democrats might reach a political decision. Some Republicans will support it, if Trump signs off, because they don’t want to go against him. Neither approaches merit admiration.
I’m disgusted by Republicans putting politics before policy. But I’m also disgusted by Democrats doing the same thing. It’s time they all grow up, find courage, and do what’s right no matter the personal cost.
I understand why the Democrats are worried. They know that, if it passes, Trump will claim all credit, saying: it’s the best deal ever made, Obama would never have been so successful, and it was achieved in spite of the Democrats.
The Democrats are afraid it will help Trump’s reelection chances. So am I. After all, I have said over and over that the only issue in 2020 is his defeat. I would not be at all surprised if he made overtures to the Democrats about the agreement for the sole purpose of removing our minds from the impeachment proceedings and improving his reelection chances.
But I guess I was wrong. There are bigger issues than his defeat. Integrity. Love of country. Honesty. Courage.
It’s too bad the bigger issues are left in the hands of the lesser mortals.
Grow up, Republicans. Grow up, Democrats. Show us you can work together for the common good of our shared country. Do it now!
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