Let the Partisanship Begin

A renewed spirit of debate and partisanship has emerged on Capitol Hill after a period of incredible bipartisanship and unquestioning cooperation. Democrats and Republicans are again at odds over a new economic stimulus package. Many Americans are disappointed that our recent Era of Good Feelings didn’t last any longer. However, as dirty as partisan rancor can be, this is really a reinstatement of the system of checks and balances essential for our American democracy. For once, we should be glad to see partisan bickering return to Washington.

Immediately following the Sept. 11 attacks, a $40 billion appropriations bill was passed almost unanimously. It was incredible that such a sweeping measure passed with little debate. The bill’s rushed passage was a failing of Congress to consider thoroughly every measure it passes, especially one as sweeping as a $40 billion appropriations bill. To be fair, a speedy relief package was necessary, but spending $40 billion in a matter of days with practically no opposition borders on reckless. Speed was not the only reason the bill passed with little objection. Legislators would not risk seeming unpatriotic by voting against a relief bill.

Luckily, Congressional leaders are no longer as concerned with seeming to be unpatriotic and new policy battles are raging. Politicians began to weigh in on the new anti-terrorism measures recently passed by the House and Senate, acknowledging the necessity of debating the tradeoff between security and civil liberties. Other proposals related to Sept. 11, such as arming pilots, have also split legislative committees. But while those debates defied party lines, the most contentious and most partisan issue is the President’s economic relief package.

All sides agree that some stimulus is needed to prop up an economy entering recession, but there is little agreement on what the package should look like. Naturally, Republicans advocate a program of hefty tax cuts for businesses and a quick reduction in national income tax rates. While diehard proponents of Reaganomics salivate over passage of such a plan, it is anathema to most Democrats. Instead of doling out millions to those who need it least—as this seems to be some kind of involuntary reaction to any and all crises for the Republican party—Democrats in the Senate are insisting that any tax cut be directed at those hit hardest by the economic downturn. That is, they want to give the money to lower income workers and the unemployed. The last time a tax cut package was brought before the Senate, Democrats buckled under pressure from the new Administration. This time they have a chance to redeem themselves.

It is essential that Democrats in the Senate offer stiff opposition to the latest Republican tax cut plan. As the majority party in the Senate, the Democrats control the legislative agenda. With another round of tax cuts on the table, there is no better time for Democrats to assert themselves. Not only would this foster dialogue on Capitol Hill and encourage the proper functioning of our democratic processes, it may prevent the country from sinking back into the days of Ronald Reagan, when the country’s debt skyrocketed, creating an ephemeral, artificial economic boost. This short-lived high led to the halcyon days of former President Bush’s administration, when the country had to pay for the mismanagement of the previous eight years and was subjected to a deep and humiliating recession. Unemployment was high and crime rates increased. America suffered because Reaganomics was shortsighted and ineffective.

Extensive tax cuts for the wrong people may increase spending in the short term, but even that is not guaranteed. Bush’s first round of tax cuts was, and continues to be, notoriously ineffective at stimulating economic growth. Even if America sees some short-term benefit, we would still be left with a huge debt to pay and a costly war on terrorism to fight, a situation dreadfully similar to the Reagan-Bush years.

If we must cut taxes, we should direct the cuts to those who would benefit most. By keeping working families afloat and assisting the unemployed, we would avert some of the worst aspects of a contracting economy: rampant crime and a national sense of failure. The proper tax cuts would fulfill a moral obligation to give those most in need a helping hand. It’s time that President Bush and his Republican colleagues stick up for the some of the ordinary folks who voted for them, rather than continuing to line the pockets of the wealthiest Americans.

—Stephen W. Stromberg