Zombie Apocalypses and Conference Committees: How Democrats Lost the Argument

Well, the Government has shut down and there is no Lovecraftian Nightmare rising from the depths.  The Earth is still spinning and America will still wake up on Tuesday Morning.

Still not happening on Tuesday

Let's wind back the clock a bit:

When Obamacare passed, it was a pure Democratic Party Bill (H: 220 - 215 ; S: 60-39  111th Congress).  When the Bill passed, it was over 2,000 pages long with Speaker Pelosi saying "We have to pass it to see what is in it,"  

Then came the revolt of the Tea Party, fiscal based Conservatives (and regular citizens) who opposed the Bill, worked within the system to get members elected to Congress.  Those Congress members were elected to oppose the Obamacare bill and the Democratic Party hypocrisies.

Yet, Democrats view Republicans as Zombies, but Modern Democrats ARE Zombies.

How are Modern Democrats like Zombies?

Democrats

 Literally, from the rise of Governor Palin (if not the years of President George W. Bush) to the Tea Party until even a few hours ago on the Hill, the Democrats bargaining position has been to act like Zombies.  They would rather attack the personal then find ground to negotiate policy.

Would you want to work with someone who harangues you for a mistake that they did (not passing budgets, passing a law that changes America by many degrees with only party line votes and  not picking up the phone to work out differences)? 

Would you want to work with someone who spends all their demonizing you ( If you can't say a good word about Speaker Boehner AND President Obama, you demonize!)?

And finally:

Could you work with someone who so demonizes your Moderates (McCain and Romney) then refuses to acknowledge others vote for their opponents that they refuse to talk to you?

At least Zombies are open about destroying you; Democrats want diversity on the outside but none of thought (Don't believe me: Ask Former Senator Lieberman who was thrown out of the party for working across the aisle).  Zombies move slow and their only goal is destruction (Speak to Governor Palin on how Obama supporter Andrew Sullivan treated her -- hence why I wait for apologies from Democrats for their rhetoric on war on women if they cannot even kick out Sullivan).  

Zombies spread by virtue of their bites; Democrats have spent time since the election mocking those state and constituents that don't vote Democrats.  Zombies at least don't care who you are, Democrats do. 

Nut up or Shut Up Senator Reid!

Senator Reid and President Obama have one thing to do to stop the shut down: 

Call a Conference Committee.

That's it.  

And stop insulting Republicans and Tea Party members -- you'd be surprised at how fast things get done.

My question:  How will the Democrats learn to not act like Zombies and be civil with Republicans if they want things done?

President Obama and Senator Reid yelled "Shark!" when they meant "Parrot!"

[I have been away working on the Ground here in the Southland -- Apologies for dropping out of the Blogosphere]

Here is a quote from a Great Movie:

As I mentioned earlier, Senator Harry Reid is Yog-Sothoth  (from a Strossian Laundry series standpoint); In Charles Stross' Laundry series, an offshoot of the British Intelligence tries to stop people from using codes and numbers to call up nasty creatures from Lovecraftian depths.

And since Senator Reid took over as Majority Leader, he refused on many occasions to pass Appropriation bills in favor of Continuing Resolutions.

Had Senator Reid and the majority Democeats in the Senate followed throuh with the FULL Appropriations process, we would not have the "Sequester," nor would we be where we are today.

And here is a lesson for the Senate Majority Leader on how to pass Budgets:

Now, if you know the other party is standing on Principle (as is the Republicans) on a law it doesn't like, calling them "crazy," and denying their view is not going to win you any friends.

After the rhetoric of how Democrats acted in the streets and in the Congress during the Bush Administration, the laws of Civility are on hold until someone remembers that History did not begin on 1/20/09.  And like Newton's Third Law, their actions (especially President Obama not picking up the phone to Speaker Boehner and the Tea Party Caucus but with Iran!) then and now cause reactions.

Sorry Democrats and media, you don't get to call the Republicans tune anymore.

Yes, the Republicans oppose Obamacare.  But, my late father always said: Bring something to the table.  The House GOP has done that, where is President Obama's and Senator Reid's counter-offer?

Allow me a quick two tales on how this can go:

1) One post I wrote here in the Valley upset my friend Charly.  We emailed back and forth and it took a semi-colon to save face for everybody.  Charly and I discussed through emails why it did not work and what she was looking for and what I was looking for, everybody won. She clearly valued friendship.

2) Another post I wrote here cited my ex-friend (her choice) Marie.  I cited her for her beauty in a political post. She cut me off because she valued partisanship over friendship.  I have always been available to talk too.  I write directly from my brain to the brightness of Cyberspace.

End of Tale) Always, always, always, as with Charly above, I have said: if there is an issue talk with me. Talking  (or emailing or trying to hash out differences) was a bridge too far for Marie.   Just because I am active partisan does not mean I am not a person.  

Moral of the Story) Now the Democrats can either play the role of Charly (a cool person who valued getting things done) or Marie (who scored points at a friendship's expense).

If the Democrats are trying to score points at the Republicans expence, here is some news:

The House passed the Continuing Resolution;
The Senate needs to pass theirs;
And Senator Reid needs to call a Conference Committee.

Either we can disagree agreeably or the Rhetoric amps up even higher (to the detriment of us all).

My question: What do the Democrats gain by angering the Republicans? 

The Fiscal Cliff: Teaching President Obama to Negotiate

This whole "Fiscal Cliff," thing could have been avoided and we could all be settling down to enjoying the New Year,

But Noooooooooo! Majority Leader Reid spent years NOT negotiating with the House of Representatives over Appropriation bills.  Had those bills been passed (even as Omnibus bills), we would not be at the Fiscal Cliff.

Even the foreign markets are  scared at the Democrat's stupidity in not passing Appropriation bills. 

Democrats, you have a President who doesn't know how to get ahead of a problem -- that's not what Presidents do. 

The last Budget that was passed, occured on April 29, 2009. 

Conference Committee and negotiation, that's how Congress works.  You cannot blame Bush and Republicans forever if you want them at the table.  Maria Bartiromo at CNBC put it best:

Now, a gift from a California Republican to the intransigent Democratic Majority in the Executive Branch and the Senate.....

A lesson on How to negotiate!

1) The GOP and Tea Party want to get Government spending under control -- not wipe it off the map.  By allowing both groups and Speaker Boehner to "Save Face," a deal can be reached;

2) Senator Reid needs to own up by not going to Conference Committee, lo these many years, he owns "The Fiscal Cliff,"  and

3) If the GOP is attacked, the Partisans defend -- if done during the inauguration, what riots will break out? All President Obama and Senator Reid must do is give countering numbers. Speaker Boehner did it with Plan B.  Your pieces cannot remain immobile on the Chess board.

In the end, the ball will be kicked into the 113th Congress and if a budget is passed, I will be surprised.

My question: Why did the Democrats never pass an Appropriation Bill?  

 

Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid is Really....Yog-Sothoth?!?

 

Y'AI'NG'NGAH YOG-SOTHOTH H'EE-L'GEBF'AI THRODOG UAAAH

or 

Yog-Sothoth knows the gate. Yog-Sothoth is the gate. Yog-Sothoth is the key and guardian of the gate. Past, present, future, all are one in Yog-Sothoth. He knows where the Old Ones broke through of old, and where They shall break through again. He knows where They have trod earth's fields, and where They still tread them, and why no one can behold Them as They tread.

—H. P. Lovecraft, "The Dunwich Horror"

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) is really....Yog-Sothoth?

In Lovecraftian horror (and also Stross' Laundry series), the wrong incantation can bring Ancient Evils to come forth.  

Re-reading some Lovecraft yesterday, I realized the scary truth: Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid is afraid of Conference Committees (especially on Appropriations) because it might release an ancient incantation that might show his True Face!

 Let me explain:

When you get Elected to a Legislature (or a City Council), you are elected to pass Budgets.  

In Congress, it requires both Houses of Congress to fund the United States.  All Budgetary and Appropriation bills must start in the House, then the Senate then passes its own bill (currently none is pending under Majority Leader Reid). 

And before the President signs the Appropriation bill (heck, ANY bill), the Speaker of the House and the Majority leader of the Senate choose members to hash out the details. This is called the Conference Committee.  Both sides of Congress vote on the finished product and send it to the President to sign or veto.  

For Senator Reid: Here's how Appropriations Work

But you will find Majority leader Senator Harry Reid unable to form the words "Conference Committee," or even "Appropriation Conference Committee" for fear or releasing an incantation of the Great Old Ones, or something. 

 

Well, since April 9, 2009, the Senate (under control of the Democrats since 2007) have not gone to Conference Committee with any Appropriation Bill or any other bills emanating from the House. 

In Charles Stross' Laundry series (a Lovecraftian panache of LeCarre's Circus), mathematics can create the wrong incantation thus creating Hell on Earth.  Ancient beings like Yog-Sothoth want this to happen.  

Maybe in Yog-Sothoth's...I mean Senator Harry Reid's mind, he doesn't want to pass Appropriations because he fears the Return of the Great Old Ones.  Or maybe, he is not ready to show his True Face.  

Any Majority Leader of the Senate who cannot pass Appropriations for 4 years is in the wrong job. Heck, Senator Harry Reid is afraid of Conference Committees.

Maybe, he should be reminded of this failing before the Summer recess.  Or Yog-Sothoth....I mean Senator Harry Reid will be free to create chaos.  

Look at the unemployment levels of Las Vegas to see the damage he and the Democrats are doing!  Hell on Earth is here (at least until November!)!

My question (serious, this time): Why is Majority leader Senator Harry Reid afraid of the words "Conference Committee?"    

(and silly): Is Senator Harry Reid truly a Lovecraftian horror waiting to be free? 

Sunday Night Movie Night -- The Fifth Element!

Tonight, I dance at Malediction (You can take the club away from the Goth, but never the Goth away from the club).  So, before I get busy with a lot of Blog posts this week, I will show you sci-fi.

I read books, novels and magazines that deal with complex issues; But when it comes to movies, I go for the silly stuff.  This is truly silly.

While I get ready to dance among the Muses, here are some posts to look forward to this week:

A) The Power of Love > The Power of Hate (in Politics).  In short, how hatred of fellow Americans before or after votes don't equal to more votes.  I saw this in an FB conversation from someone who knows my family. The words, the attitude still shocked me on how closed minded it was and how little understanding of how the political world works from this "Smart Democrat," (Hint: NOT a Goth or a Blogger)  Yes, I will be quoting from that conversation;

B) The Scariest Words for Majority Leader Reid: Conference Committee and Appropriations Conference Committee;

C) Winning in Los Angeles (Election 2012 edition) Part 1;

D)  President Obama's Achilles Heel.  It's not what you think; and

E)  Space Colonies and the American Polity, part 2: You've landed on Earth 2 (or your scions), what happens next? That why the Valley is here.

First, some music, then the movie.

Flock of Seagulls, Space Age Love Song 

The Fifth Element

See you back here tomorrow!

King Pyrrhus, American Health care and the Democrats: Part 1

When it comes to writing the personal stuff online, I usually quote Red Smith (from the book The Wit and Wisdom of politics (1992 ed.): "Writing is easy. I open a vein and Bleed"

Government Run Health Care affects me personally. To get this post, it helps if you read these next two stories: The Plague year (describing my disease) and Shaking the Disease (describing how Medi-cal failed and Sean Hannity helped).

Part 1 is how the Democrats failed; Part 2 is how the Conservatives and Republicans can win on this field.

If you read Shaking the Disease, you understand how the California State Budget, already in crisis needed those who couldn't, to do with less. I had to make a Devil's choice. I gave up my pills for 4 1/2 months because Medi-cal could not function under the State leadership. Now, they want to make it Federal?! Whisky tango Foxtrot!

Not only do I understand politics and winning elections, but I understand policy too -- specifically, the federal budget. The Federal Government runs more deficits then surpluses. As we on the Right have been asking, where is the money going to come from? Cui Bono?

Right now, business' are scarce and after this law, will jobs too? With no tax base, how will the Government function? Or should we all say Hello to Big O (Brother)? Gilliam's Brazil is becoming reality under this administration.

And as everyone knows on Sunday Night/Monday Morning, the Democrats won on a party line vote (without the Conference Committee):



There was bi-partisanship against the health care Bill.

Any major vote that affects Americans needs Bi-partisan support. The Iraq war vote, NAFTA, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the creation of Social Security were all Bi-partisan. The fault is not with the Minority who opposes, but with the Majority who couldn't sell health care to their opposition or to the public.

When you have extreme majorities in the House and Senate and you're arguing process, you lose. The American public distrusts Big anything (Government, Unions or Business, but the list goes on...), so to do it without following the process (again, where was the Conference committee?) that has been laid down opens up the Democrats to charges of corruption (Cornhusker Kickback or Louisiana Purchase, anyone?). Corruption destroyed the Congressional Republicans in 2006; Never forget Karma has her own way with history and hubris.

Note that I mentioned King Pyrrus in the title. He won the Battle of Asculum but he lost most his troops. "One more victory like that, and we shall be done for," King Pyrruss said after facing the Romans a second time.

The Democrats won. And only the Democrats. If it was really about the uninsured and the pre-existing conditions (plus Tort reform and Insurance Company portability for the Republicans), the Bill would not have been more then 50 pages in both the House and the Senate (if they wanted a "Clean Bill,") And they could have gone to the scary Conference Committee.

But almost 3,000 pages? It wasn't about the sick or the uninsured, it was about the Congressional Democrats giving President Obama a "win,"

My question: Do you feel healthier with this Health Care Bill (which starts in 2014)?

Part 2 is next.

UPDATE 3/26/10 11:22AM PST: Part 2 will be written between next Sunday - Tuesday. Read and subscribe.

The Self Executing Rule will work...in November

Ever watch Frisky Dingo? It was a very subversive cartoon about a good guy (who was an a*hole) and a bad guy who was the hero of the piece. the good guy, Awesome X, had some backup called the Xtacles.

The Xtacles weren't the smartest of cartoon sidekicks, but they were funny -- but for some reason, the Democrats seem to be doing a great imitation of them. Let's watch the Xtacles in action:



First, the Democrats who were trying to thread the needle by using Reconciliation (used only for Tax, Budgetary and Appropriations). Now the Democrats are allowing Rep. Slaughter of New York promote a self executing rule so the House Democrats will not vote for the Senate version of the health care bill on the House floor.

Excuse me?

If the House Democrats do this, they do not get to say "Boosh," in celebration. Again how hard is it for the Democrats after passing the health care Bill in both the House and the Senate to sit down in Conference Committee and re-vote on the finished bill? For all the talk of the lack of spine in Democrats (by Liberals), for every trick they are using other then following the established order shows they don't really care about Policy, just what makes them look good.

When you have the majority in both chambers and you're arguing process, the battle is lost. When I spoke to Robert Stacy McCain this week, we both agreed this is a Zombie bill. Funny thing though, Pelosi and Slaughter both went to the Supreme Court over the self executing rule. They lost -- but the Self Executing rule was never used for a large bill that will change American health and society.

Why are the Democrats afraid of the Conference Committee? If I was a Republican House and Senate member, I would bring up in every speech.

And if the sausage making process includes the Self executing Rule, we on the Right can say in this election: Democrats are afraid of the American people -- they refused to take it to Conference committee. In fact, whether it was the Cornhusker Kickback or the Louisiana Purchase, the Democrats have done everything but try to win over people to vote for it. Again, why?

Let's see the Xtacles do something right, that is if the Democrats bring the Bill to Conference then vote on it in each chamber:



My question: Why are the Democrats afraid of following correct procedure with the health care Bill? Why are they afraid of the Conference Committee?