Americans Continue To sour on Washington Establishment Politicians

trying to stop angry Americans is like sitting on an atomic bomb

Americans indeed continue to "sour" on the lack of performance from Washington, which has led to the determined resolution that, come this November, it's "out with the old and in with the new. "Someone once said that "Trying to stop Americans is like spitting on the train tracks," but trying to stop angry Americans is like sitting on an atomic bomb.

GLADE PARK, CO (Catholic Online) -- As the next election cycle looms nearer, there is little that weighs more on Americans' minds than fiscal issues, for most remain unconvinced that the recession will soon end, and, in fact, fear it may at some point plumb to new depths. This has led to widespread discontent, even anger at the lack of performance in Washington.

According to an Associated Press-GfK Poll taken this month, "60 percent disapprove of the job congressional Democrats are doing, yet 68 percent frown on how Republicans are performing. While 59 percent are unhappy with how Democrats are handling the economy, 64 percent are upset by the GOP's work on the country's top issue. Just over half have unfavorable views of each party."

In other words, according to the above AP Poll, Americans are fed up with members of both parties. This has led to heated flare-ups, such as the brawl that occurred between supporters of Senator Harry Reid and his GOP challenger, Sharron Angle, which erupted at the end of a Senate race forum at Faith Lutheran Junior/Senior High School in Summerlin Nevada.

In an interview broadcast Thursday, billionaire investor Warren Buffet noted that "Sentiment has turned very sour in the last three or four or five months. I hope we get over it pretty soon, because it's not productive. We will come back regardless of how people feel about Washington," continued Buffet, "but it is not helpful to have people as unhappy as they are about what's going on in Washington."

There are, however, many who are convinced that it is precisely the "sour" sentiment of which Buffet is speaking that is needed to turn things around. Someone once said that "Trying to stop Americans is like spitting on the train tracks," but trying to stop angry Americans is like sitting on an atomic bomb.

There is little doubt among Americans that Washington bureaucrats can "see that train a comin'," and, for many of them, election day looms on the horizon like a black cloud. Perhaps that is why Democrats met behind closed doors on Thursday and tried to figure out what to do about the hot-button issue of expiring Bush tax cuts. With no consensus emerging, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) decided to postpone a vote on the cuts until after the election.

According to a Fox News report, Reid spokesman Jim Manley blamed the GOP for the delay, and stated in a written report that "Democrats believe we must permanently extend tax cuts for the middle-class before they expire at the end of the year, and we will." "Democrats will not allow families in Nevada and across the country to suffer or be held hostage by Republicans who would rather give tax giveaways to millionaires and corporations that ship jobs overseas. We will come back in November and stay in session as long as it takes to get this done."

Republicans, of course, point out that "economics 101" reminds us that tax cuts across the board actually stimulate the economy, encourage corporate growth, spending and hiring, and provide the needed fuel to jump-start our nation's free-market system, something that is advantageous for all Americans. After all, who is it that hires workers? It is entrepreneurs who take risks, build businesses and create jobs. Business owners who are saddled with heavy tax burdens can hardly be expected to crawl out from under such a yoke, while Washington continues to heap more on the load, and re-ignite the presently stalled economy. It's like shoveling snow with a spoon while it's still snowing. 

Then there is the issue of tax revenue: Republicans often take the view that tax cuts actually, over the long run, increase revenue. While, in general, Democrats take the opposing view, insist that tax cuts are dangerous, and claim that the government needs tax revenue to not only pay down the deficit but provide for the numerous spending programs currently on the books.  In fact, Democrats blame the Bush tax cuts for diminishing revenue.

However, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell disagrees, and told TPMDC that "there's no evidence whatsoever that the Bush tax cuts actually diminished revenue. They increased revenue, because of the vibrancy of these tax cuts in the economy."

Rather than tax cuts, most Americans see the economy as the main issue this November, though the two are obviously interrelated. Nevertheless, while many remain unsure of the long term effects of tax cuts on revenue, Americans indeed continue to "sour" on the lack of performance from Washington, which has led to the determined resolution that, come this November, it's "out with the old and in with the new."
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F. K. Bartels is a Catholic writer who knows his Catholic faith is one of the greatest gifts a man could ever have. He is managing editor of catholicpathways.com, and a contributing writer for Catholic Online.

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