"Old habits die hard."
These are the words of President Obama when asked to comment on the fact that not a single Republican voted for the 2009 Stimulus Bill in the House.
Strictly from a pragmatic - outcomes oriented - point of view. If the Stimulus bill had been written by a bi-partisan group of Representatives, based on the core principles of the parties and their electoral success, the bill would probably have looked much like it does right now. So why the lopsided vote?
Republican leaders point the finger of blame at Speaker Nancy Pelosi. They say that they were shut out of the process. At the same time, at the urging of President Obama, the size of the tax cut component reflects their principle ideological position on the stimulus.
Without question, the bill also contained some provisions bound to be questioned for their stimulative effect. Democrats from their perspective pointed out that the bill has two key purposes to stimulate job growth and to reinvigorate the underlying economy through strategic investments meant more to enhance America's competitiveness in the long run.
Both sides continue to act as if they hold the magic key to unlocking a new era of American competitiveness. When in truth, no one knows what will really work in this environment. It may be that only the President - who ultimately bears responsibility for the success or failure of the policy - has the courage to move beyond politics right now.
"Wash Day on the Upper Peninsula"
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