In Case You Were Worried

The Democrats are the party of delusion, and they gather their votes through the illusion that they are different from their sister party. Events continue to show what the real difference is. Despite an overwhelming mandate in the 2006 election to get the U.S. out of Iraq, all Congress is willing to do at this point is non-binding resolutions while continuing to sign the checks.

In case there was any doubt as to what would happen to the Gemini relationship of business and politicians with a new Congress, this article sheds some light on the matter: Lobbyists find new Congress is open for business. A lobbyist from Bracewell & Giuliani says it about as well as can be expected in a public statement: "One of the lessons is that good lobbying is always bipartisan."

The article has its own twist. It presents the situation as one where other groups besides business are getting a voice. The counterpoint is that you cannot win an election like the last one and expect to do nothing ... there must still be token gestures. By no accounts will the Oil industry be hurt by the elimination of subsidies – all honest economists will tell you this and a basic understanding of economics should confirm it &ndash and the bills passed only cut a small portion of those subsidies. But the public effect is to fuel the illusion that the Democrats have done something about excessive Oil profits. The same goes for Medicare changes (which don't do what would be a baby step in fixing the problem) and the minimum wage increase (long overdue and loaded with subsidies).