Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

In response to this, McConnell merely continued his tap dance around the issue. "What we’re talking about here," he said, "is tax increases in the middle of a recession," saying it would add a trillion dollars to the deficit for the third year in a row.

Gregory pressed him: "Are tax cuts paid for going forward, or is it borrowed money at a time when you and other Republican leaders say we must get serious about the deficit?"

McConnell continued his dance, refusing to give a direct answer to a direct question, choosing rather to take the discussion straight to one of the GOP talking points and categorize the Obama administration as "Anti-business."

Finally, Gregory pointed out that extending the tax cuts would actually add 3.2 trillion dollars to the deficit. And McConnell danced on.

I would suggest that by holding fast to the GOP rhetoric and talking points, McConnell– rather than doing anything constructive– is clearly demonstrating what is wrong with politics in America today, and why the GOP has rightfully become known as the "Party of NO!" On "Meet the Press," McConnell refused to engage in meaningful dialogue with David Gregory, using his time instead to issue tired and meaningless rhetoric to an audience grown weary of such antics. I think most Americans would agree that now, more than ever, it’s time for the GOP to put this petty partisanship aside and do what’s best for the country.

As usual, McConnell brought nothing constructive to the table that day. Which seems to point to an agenda that is more concerned with winning seats in November than helping to get the country back on its feet. McConnell & Co. are afraid to say it directly, but they want to go back to the policies that drove our economy into the ground during the eight years of George W. Bush. And why? Because their personal bank accounts grew tremendously during that period and they want more.

Why else would they block unemployment benefits for those who really need them, arguing they are "not paid for," while fighting tooth-and-nail for tax cuts that will benefit the richest of the rich (including themselves, of course) while adding 3.2 trillion to the deficit?

I call it unconscionable and, yes, unpatriotic.

Noteworthy, as well, was McConnell’s nod to the Tea Party on that same show: "The popular rising against excessive government spending has been extremely helpful," he said. "It has produced a lot of energy in our primaries and I think it’s going to produce victories in November."

Is there any doubt as to what the GOP’s priorities are? Are they concerned with doing what is right for the good of the country? I think there is plenty of evidence pointing to a resounding "NO" to that question.

To further illustrate, on August 24, House Minority Leader John Boehner gave a speech in Cleveland in which he lambasted the Obama administration for– among other things– failed economic policies, and called for the President to fire Tim Geithner, Larry Summers and other top financial advisors. "Government as community organizer," Boehner said, "has failed to stimulate the economy."

Vice President Biden responded by pointing out that Boehner and the GOP "Ran the country and the middle class into the ground," for eight years, and noted that in his speech in Ohio, Boehner failed to bring anything of his own to the table. "His chief proposal, apparently, was that the President should fire his economic team," Biden said. "Very constructive advice, thanks."

Like McConnell, if Boehner has an economic plan that will help, he’s keeping it a secret.

Given the fact that since Obama took office the Republicans have done absolutely nothing to help him– or more importantly, to help the country– I would suggest that they are actively doing everything within their power to make Obama fail on every front. Their reasoning? If the economy is still in the tank in November, they’re going to win. Never mind that at the same time, the country suffers. In the end, driven by greed, McConnell, Boehner and the entire Republican Party are in turn failing their country in ways that are beyond comprehension.

And the beat goes on.