Political Bomb-Throwers and Egg Baskets
Back in Action
In a C-SPAN3 video conference appearance, The Hill political correspondent Jill Mills said simply, "Republicans are back bomb-throwing, and they like it."
Mills was not referring to actual bombs, or any real form of terrorism as United States citizens will recognize. Rather, Mills was referring to political bomb-throwing - or in simpler terms, always saying "yes" or "no" to political opposition.
The video conference between Pace University in New York City, Colorado State University and George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. took place on Day 72 of the Barack Obama presidency.
In the political background, world leaders were gathering for the G-20 Summit in London, England amid large riots, the Senate continued to war over President Obama's budget versus a proposed Republican budget and insurance agency AIG and its various corporate members continued to stand trial.
On a lighter note, G-20 media coverage was charmed by First Lady Michelle Obama's wardrobe and conduct overseas.
Background aside, Mills put Day 72's political turmoil in a more recent historical perspective: in 1994 the Republican Party enjoyed the high heights of political power. Two Republican presidencies had past (Regan and Bush Sr.) and a successful Gulf War campaign in the early 90s put a bounce in the GOP's step.
However, Mills drew a comparison to 1994 Republicans to 2008 Republicans.
"By the last of the Bush years, there was no bounce in their step," said Mills. He went on to call the GOP's mood as "dispirited" after eight years of a tough presidency.
Show Me the Money
Unfortunately, the stress and memory of 9/11 and two wars that eventually went sour in the public eye can pale in comparison to today's national deficit.
Professor Steve Klein, head of the Mason class listening in, rhetorically asked Mills on the subject of the deficit, "What's a trillion dollars?"
With two budgets - President Obama's and the GOP's - currently warring on the Senate floor, Mills answered in simple terms.
"People aren't thinking of it as real money anymore," said Mills.
According to Mills, once U.S. dollar amounts reach certain heights, the amount no longer seems tangible to the public eye. Therefore, high amounts such as deficits in the trillions do not register well with families whose reality is an income of $80,000.
At the end of the conference, Mason student Elizabeth Kimbell returned to the subject of the Republican party, "Why are they not constructively engaged in the political process anymore?" Kimbell then expressed frustration over the lack of bipartisanship.
Mills reiterated the Republican bomb-throwing tactic, as well as another metaphor: all eggs in one basket.
"Obama failing is their way back into power," said Mills. According to Mills, if the president's planned budget fails, there may be a different political arena for Republicans and Democracts in 2012.