Bill Press: GOP to Blame for Broken Congress
July 12, 2012
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In an op-ed written by talk radio host and author Bill Press, the political commentator sets the record straight on who’s really to blame for Congress’ inability to get work done.
“This is the political season. So you can expect to hear a lot of lies, and we do,” writes Press. “‘The stimulus did not create one single job (John Boehner).’ ‘Barack Obama is the most dangerous president in modern history (Newt Gingrich).’ ‘I was a severely conservative Republican governor (Mitt Romney).’ Whoppers. All three of them. But they are small potatoes compared to the biggest lie of all, the one we hear most often, from almost every politician, pundit, commentator and talk-show host (except this one). You’ve heard it a thousand times: ‘Democrats and Republicans are equally to blame for today’s gridlock in Congress.’
“No, no and no!” writes Press. “There is not a shred of evidence to support that statement. But there is a ton of evidence to prove that the truth is just the opposite. We are experiencing the inevitable stalemate that results when Republicans, en bloc, decide to vote against anything President Obama is for, even measures they had previously supported; to refuse to compromise; to pledge their undying allegiance to lobbyist Grover Norquist; and to shut down the government and destroy the economy, rather than give Obama a win on any issue.”
Press goes on to explain how the GOP’s anti-anything-Barack-Obama stance has led to some “bizarre positions” on what should have been non-controversial, non-partisan pieces of legislation: emergency disaster-relief funds for New England states ravaged by Hurricane Irene, stopping student loan interest rates from doubling to 6.8 percent, extending the Violence Against Women Act which has always been renewed since its creation in 1994, and passing the highway funding bill which promises to bring much-needed jobs.
“Democrats, starting with President Obama, have shown, over and over, that they’re willing to compromise. Republicans refuse,” says Press. “They’d rather just say no, waiting for the next election to roll around.
“Wish I could tell you it’s not as bad as it looks. I can’t. It’s even worse than it looks. And it’s not going to get any better soon.”
To read Bill Press’ full article, click here.
