The stimulus package backed by the Obama adminstration has passed both houses of Congress. Originally at just over $800 billion, the package has been cut to $787 billion.
A lot of talk has come up about the importance of bipartisanship in the weeks leading up to the bill's passage. Obama stuck his neck out, trying hard to appease to conservatives in hopes of getting their votes. Despite working with both sides, not a single Republican in the House and only three moderates in the Senate voted for it, along with the Democrats.
Is bipartisanship over-rated? I for one hold out hope that it isn't. Despite my liberal tendencies, I feel that there exists an opportunity in every bill proposed for bipartisanship and cooperation so that a law can be passed that most, if not all, can be happy with.
Whether the Republicans want to cooperate with Obama or not, that's up to them. It may behoove them to do so, for they'll get a lot more work done -- and look better in the eyes of the American public -- if they cooperate. And who knows? They may actually get a few of their own initiatives passed as well.
UPDATE (8:50 PM): Barack Obama plans to sign the stimulus bill into law Tuesday in Denver, Colorado.
Part of what I love about Barack Obama is that he has allowed me to believe, once more, in the idea that good people can operate in political capacities. I'm not sure if it's just good PR, but he certainly seems to be closer to his values (and to actually having values) than the rest of the folks in Washington.
ReplyDeleteUntil people on both sides of the aisle start sticking their necks out for things they really believe in, partisanship will remain the popular religion. I don't completely blame elected officials. After all, they're only acting the way they are for re-election, right?
I'm doubtful that the majority of Americans will ever invest themselves in today's real issues (beyond the hot-button, popular issues that presently guide our electoral decisions). But that's what I think it would take. Show me a bipartisan population and I'll show you a bipartisan senate. Keep up the great work, Chris.