Obama’s and his lame duck congress what to expect

A number of things are certain. Obama’s attitude, “I won,” and refusing to have serious negotiations with the opposition party will not be productive.

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Conspicuously absent was any meaningful dialogue on the health care debate. Of course there was the “Health Care Summit, a charade to give the Obama administration the appearance of reaching across the aisle. It was clear in the exchange between R. Paul Ryan, (R-WI) and the President, the latter was not interested in Ryan’s exposing Obama's numbers as smoke and mirrors, and merely shifting huge items like the $500 billion removed by the president's task force from Medicare, yet counted twice as a tax saving. If he didn’t hear the American voter loudly and clearly at the ballot box, "Your socialist take over of our country sir will not stand", then perhaps he might look into his recently passed health care legislation to determine if hearing aids are covered. (whoops-not there.) It’s up to you, Mr. President, be the ideologue, put the American taxpayer through two more years of misery or have a shot at a second term by triangulating and moving a bit center-right where the voters in America happen to be. Following the November bloodbath among Democrats who marched in lockstep with the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and you, sir, serious sole searching will be required among those left standing. Will they again follow the party line? It’s doubtful, if they intended to be re-elected in the future. Those following their leadership and failing to listen to the will of the people at those “pesky” town hall meeting were shown the door. Today, November 29, 2010, marks the beginning of the 111th Congress’ lame duck session. To be sure, there are some serious issues that will need to be resolved. What might have at one time been expected as a list minute effort to jam additional unwanted legislation down the throats of the American Taxpayer may go rather with a whimper. Five items are on the agenda requiring attention.

1. A decision on the Bush Tax Cut extension must be made. Failure to deal with this specific issue by Speaker Pelosi as she sent Democrats home to campaign was just another nail in their coffin. Had the cuts been extended for all taxpayers back in September or early October, business large and small could have had a clear roadmap on proposed spending, business growth and hiring. Not the square off will be between Democrats who favor extension of tax cuts for those couples making under $250,000 per year while President Obama has vowed repeatedly to let them expire for those making more than that amount.
2. Some $2 million long-term unemployed face expiration of their insurance benefits at the end of the week.
3. The President’s dream of a nuclear free world would start with the passage with the attempted ratification of his Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty with Russia, S.T.A.R.T.
4. The desire to repeal the military’s “don’t ask don’t tell” policy, may be a non starter as The Supreme Court declined to end the “don’t ask don’t tell policy as reported by Ed O’Keef, at the Washington Post.
5. The President’s Commission on Deficit Reduction report will be brought to the table. Members on both sides say that the recommendations are not workable with Speaker Pelosi saying they are unacceptable.

So what can the American taxpayer likely expect in this lame duck session? A repeated bout of arm twisting, more behind closed-door non-transparent deals, and enticing bribes? Not likely. The Bush Era Tax cuts will likely remain in place for everyone. Extension of long-term insurance benefits will be passed. Even fiscal conservatives for the most part do not blame the current unemployment situation on the unemployed with its stalled economy. It’s time to face facts on this one; the mess our country is in is largely the result of failed government policy. S.T.A.R.T. ratification? With rogue nations like North Korea, Iran and now Venezuela intent upon becoming nuclear power players perhaps this is not the time. The President’s Commission on Deficit reduction won’t be taken seriously by either side and will likely not be discussed. This is likely to end as a very quiet lame duck session, after all, dead ducks make no noise. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it, I’m J.C. Jim Campbell runs Charging Elephants.