The Spin Of Failure And Success - American Politics

politico.com

American politics like life, is all about how one spins the story.  Like a job loss.  Did you get fired?  Did you quit?  Like a relationship breakup.  Did she break it off?  Did you break it off?  We Americans like to spin our story to our own perception and obviously, our own favor as we do not wish to feel less about ourselves.  Politics in Washington is very much the same.  This month's struggle between the Republicans and Democrats focused on extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits points to the nature of spinning one's own tale to save face and in this case, take credit.

Isn't it interesting how both the Republican and Democratic parties are claiming victory for the soon-to-be reached agreement on extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits.  No doubt, both of these issues are important to the working people across the nation and a win for American families.  A bipartisan agreement no less when Washington has shown no capacity for reaching an accord.  The spin should be that both parties worked hard together to reach the accord to benefit the American people. 

No, that type of harmony and bipartisanship is unacceptable to both parties.  Take for instance, these two comments from leaders of their respective parties. House Speaker John Boehner's spin was, "We were not going to allow Democrats to continue to play games and cause a tax increase for hardworking Americans.  We made a decision to bring them to the table so that games would stop and we would get this worked out."

Senator Max Baucus, the Democratic vice chair of the conference committee, made the following remarks, "This is very important for a lot of people, 160 million Americans, who are now going to maintain their payroll tax cut.  Lots of folks who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own are going to receive their unemployment benefits, seniors are going to be able to see their doctors to get Medicare, and it's good for the country.  Very good for the country". 

Spinning their respective stories to their perceived benefit is fine with me.  Truth be told, it's all harmless as long as progress is being made to benefit the nation and our citizens.  Let the Republicans take credit.  Let the Democrats take credit.  Far be it from me to be critical of either side when they actually are able to come together and agree on any piece of legislation.

For this one day, I will be happy to bestow all praise and glory to the Republicans for getting the deal done.  I will be happy to be praiseworthy of the Democrats too.  Congratulations to both parties.  How about making a habit of working together, finding compromise and negotiating good legislation.  No, alright then.  We will enjoy this one bipartisan effort and celebrate the fact that both parties can reach an agreement when it is in the best interests of our nation.