Politics: Playing for the Last Shot

 

With time running down in a basketball game, a team often plays for the last shot. The shot, if made, can either give victory or defeat. There are risks in employing such a strategy. Some times it works and maybe more often it does not. It seems to me playing for the last shot is what is going on in Congress, except both the Republicans and the Democrats both seem to think they have the ball and the last shot.

There are 9 months more or less left in this Congress. More than a few of those months will be spent in political conventions, august recesses and for October campaigning. That is understandable when the chief job of an elected representative is to get re-elected while trying to thwart the opposition at every turn, every opportunity.

There is a budget to pass and maybe a few of the appropriation bills will come up for consideration. That is all good but not much to see here as the outline for spending was agreed to last year. Hey how about tax reform? Not going to happen, not even an attempt.

How about a Supreme Court confirmation? Doubtful, really doubtful. One side will point the finger at the other and the other side will yawn.

It is all about the politics now, all about the election. It is not only about Mrs. Clinton for President against who knows but each individual Senate and House race is a battle for control for the pivotal but least effective branch of government. All decision are now based on politics not substance.

And as for Mr. Obama? Well, the quacking is heard all over town and it is getting louder as he just cannot go quietly into the night or anywhere else. In fact, accordingly, like most politicians he does not even intend to leave town after his term is over. Typical.