Through the Looking Glass, Where Extremists are Moderates

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

The United States Senate apparently worked through last night to pass a $3.5 trillion budget "resolution."  The resolution, as artfully amended by senators trying to show their own strengths while highlighting the shortcomings of others, passed by a party-line vote of 50-49.  It is a "non-binding" resolution which means that it has no official force whatsoever other than to serve as a guide for spending bills, but the nocturnal exercise did give a ninety-nine highly skilled politicians an opportunity to pose for voters on a wide array of issues and political hot buttons.

And today there is plenty of news coverage about the political maneuverings of last night.   Tales of devious senators proposing "gotcha" amendments that forced their foes into uncomfortable voting positions (and may turn up in campaign commercials as the next election cycle heats up) were the order of the evening.  It was a night of high theatre.

Several Democrats, primarily those up for reelection in conservative-leaning states, joined with Republicans on various amendments that seemed to run against the main current of the Democratic Party, and two in particular, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Krysten Sinema of Arizona, neither of whom is up for re-election in 2022, seemed quick to side with an assortment of Republican positions.

And the press, many outlets, blithely continue to refer to Manchin and Sinema as "moderates" because their views aren't aligned with those of the majority of their political party on even some fundamental issues like killing the undemocratic filibuster.  But if Manchin and Sinema are "moderates," where does that place the remainder of the Democratic senators?  Are Manchin and Sinema "moderate" in relation to more "extreme" Democrats?  That is certainly the unspoken implication.

And if "moderate" Manchin and Sinema align politically with the GOP majority in the senate, does that make the Republican senators "moderates, " too?  Are Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Josh Hawley moderates?   Can anyone, and especially any journalist who covers the national political scene, describe Josh Hawley as a moderate - with a straight face?

Last night Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema both voted to protect the future of fossil fuel power plants in the United States - at a time when the world is literally aflame from climate change.  (Yes, it was a non-binding amendment to a non-binding resolution, but it still turned a tin ear to the climate crisis at a time when the world needs to be listening - and leaders need to be leading.).  If turning one's back on a burning planet, even with a symbolic vote, makes a person a "moderate," then spare me the moderation!

It's time to get radical!