Scandal and the Filibuster

Anyone flipping through the news recently has heard something about the resignation of Representative Eric Massa (D-NY) in response to an emerging sex scandal, and the cloud growing over Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY), who stepped down as Chairman of the House Ways and Means committee after it was revealed that he had improperly accepted corporate-sponsored trips to the Caribbean and failed to disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets. Speaker Pelosi promised to eliminate the "Culture of Corruption" supposedly fostered by the Republicans and demonstrated by Former Representative Mark Foley's "wide stance" scandal, when the Democrats took control in 2006. Now, 4 years and almost two election cycles later, that "Culture" has failed to vanish. Was Pelosi insincere in her campaign promise, or has she failed? 

The point is practically moot by now, as the scandals have only added to a growing anti-incumbent tide, which is threatening to wash away not only many Democrats in swing districts, but many Republicans as well. A general perception that the 111th Congress has failed to make good on the 2008 promise of "Change", public misgivings about the debacle that Health Care reform has become, and the influence of the Radical "Tea Party", will likely all contribute to making 2010 a very turbulent election year.

About two weeks ago, an interesting story appeared, and I regret not having addressed it before today. Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) single-handedly delayed passage of an emergency jobs bill which would have, among other things, funded the Federal Health Care benefits that have kept both unemployed workers and the medical industry alive during these pressing times. The one-man filibuster meant that the spending measure, which required unanimous consent to pass, was delayed several days as Bunning tried to get an amendment passed that would pay for the bill without borrowing funds. He certainly had a good point, and that point was that the Senate should hold true to the "Pay-as-You-Go" legislation it has passed and stop piling up our country's debt. But keeping millions of Americans in financial limbo against the opposition of all 99 other Senators was not the appropriate way to go about making that point. Bunning's request to remove a tax loophole from the paper industry to earn the required $10 billion was finally accepted in order to break the stalemate, but he really should have either gotten it into the bill in the first place or waited to get it passed separately. I read somewhere that a bill that included a provision closing the loophole was actually on the docket for this week, but Bunning had to have his way. Many of Jim's Republican colleague's have criticized his misadventure as ill-conceived, and I don't blame them. There is a fine line between blocking wasteful "Keynesian" spending and impeding the government's duty to serve the people, but Senator Bunning must have missed that. Actions like his have led to the unfair branding of the GOP as the "Party of No", and I hope we can avoid situations like this in the future.

In other news, I will be serving as a messenger in the Florida House of Representatives over this Spring Break. It will be a great honor to serve the elected representatives of my state.

Haiti, Quebec, and Massachusetts

My family and I just got back from a trip to Quebec over the long weekend. The province is a beautiful place, and Quebec City, right on the frozen Saint Lawrence River, had a bizarre feel, almost as if it were a city at man's northernmost frontier, though I'm sure the fact I'm not used to so much snow played a role in that idea. We toured the city, tasted delicious Quebecois food, and enjoyed the Winter activities, like ice skating in Place D'Youville and tobogganing outside our hotel, the Chateau Frontenac. The highlight of our trip, however, was a night in Hotel de Glace, the Ice Hotel. The idea of an 80-person hotel made entirely of ice was bizarre, the structure itself was beautiful, and the sleeping conditions, 27 degrees Fahrenheit on a bed made of ice, wood and foam, were an experience in themselves.
The only negative aspect of the trip was the Canadian security. Apparently, to align with the US's security needs, Canada has enforced a "no-carry-on" policy. Interestingly, women's purses, but not men's satchels of similar sizes, are allowed through, which I think smells of sexism. I'm fine with pat-downs (which we had), Millimeter-Wave full-body scans, and even complete bag searches if it means the liklihood of a Terrorist attack is lessened, but let me bring my bag on the plane! Or, at the very least, the airline or the hotel should have informed us of the Canadian policy, so we would know to pack our bags appropriately.

The biggest story in the news this past week has been the tragic earthquake in Haiti, the desperate search for survivors, and the deployment of 11,000 US troops to the country to ensure stability and efficient aid deployment. All of the aid funds being collected, from groups as diverse as the Red Cross, Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti, private donors, and national governments is a testament to the generosity of the human race, and will surely help Haiti get back on their feet after this disaster, and will hopefully leave them with an improved infrastructure that will allow them to break away from their position as the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Recently, a row over a French aid plane that was apparently turned away before later being allowed to land has led to French criticism of the US role in Haiti. France, as the former ruler of Haiti, likely feels some responsibility for Haiti's economic situation, but now is not the time to make amends for History for their posterity's sake. What matters most is the recovery of the few left alive under the rubble, the efficient distribution of aid, and protection for the millions of homeless Haitians from the bandits and looters that have taken control of much of the disaster zone in the absence of a real government. The United States, with the UN mission and Haitian government scattered, is in the best position to take command of the situation. With troops, a hospital ship, an aircraft carrier, and other resources already deployed, the United States, under President Obama, Secretary Clinton, and General Keen, has done an excellent job in caring for the living, and preserving order, and the US presence should remain for the foreseeable future.

Finally, the big story yesterday was the election of Republican Scott Brown to the seat vacated after the "lion of the Senate" Ted Kennedy's death, breaking the Democratic monopoly of MA senators that has lasted since the '70s. With 41 Republicans in the Senate, the Right will now be able to filibuster unpopular Democratic legislation, particularly the Health Care Reform effort, and force the majority party to moderate their reforms to accommodate the views of some of the 41% of Americans whose representatives have been largely ignored in the Health Care Debate. This slight rebalance of power in Congress is good for both sides, giving Republicans greater control, and allowing Democrats to craft a Reform bill that will be more accepted by the American people than the one being proposed. Many analysts predict that Brown (a moderate Republican) is an indication of an anti-Democrat trend that will be fleshed out fully in November. No one can know for sure, but I for one, am excited.
One final thing many analysts worried about was the issue of "Shenanigans" in Brown's seating. However, the Majority has accepted the will of the people of Massachusetts, and Brown seems likely to be seated without delay. Martha Coakley, Brown's opponent, was gracious in defeat and did not contest the election as some had feared. Obama and Harry Reid also showed grace in statements today urging legislators to halt Health Care debate until Brown is seated. The fear remains that the House will pass the deeply flawed Senate bill and send it to Obama to be enacted without changes, but the consensus is that such an event will not occur, and renegotiations will be held, with at least some Republicans on board.

What's This About 2010?

So it's a brand new year, a brand new decade. I think we can finally get into the habit of naming years the way they did in the 20th century, twenty-ten sounds pretty nice. Last decade will probably bug the heck out of linguists for a while, twenty-oh-two doesn't sound quite as nice as 1902 does.

2009 was pretty exciting, the Miracle on the Hudson,  a new President, the Swine Flu scare, continuing uncertainty over the economy, coups, wars... you name it, 2009  had it.

But we've got a lot to look forward to this year: a new claimant to the title "World's Tallest Building" (the Burj Dubai), victory and an end to the Iraq War, and of course, the 2010 Mid-Term elections. I'm excited because I will be voting for the first time, and the nation will get to decide how much of President Obama's "Change" agenda they want to keep, and how much they don't. I'll certainly be watching the run-up to those as we go along, and I hope you all do too.

I hope you've all had a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hannukah, and a Happy New Year.