You Blinked!!

The last thing we need is politicians playing "chicken" when the nation's and state's business are at stake. In Mississippi we have no budget because of political gamesmanship and in the Congress we are facing serious consequences over the approval of judges by Republicans using something known as the "nuclear option." Who suffers? We do.

It may seem logical that a simple majority should decide who is approved as judges, but where does that leave the minority rights? Just because one party is in the majority today doesn't mean they are in power after the next election. Or the next. Besides healthy debate and negotiation are good for our republic. According to the Clarion Ledger, our Senators may be divided on support of the "nuclear option." Senator Lott is apparently against invoking the rules changes to allow for a 51 vote for approval. Senator Cochran is leaving his options open. Red Dog applauds Senator Lott if that is his vote and encourages Senator Cochran to vote against the rule change, as well. Only 10 out of 200 Bush appointees have been held up by Democrats. Over 100 Clinton appointees never got brought to a vote because the Republican controlled Judiciary Committe would not bring them up for consideration. It appears to me that there should be room for compromise. Besides, judges appointed for life need to scrutinized very carefully, by both parties.

In the Mississippi government fiasco. The Lieutenant Governor, who changed parties, and the Speaker of the House are deadlocked over fully funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program and consequently approving a state budget. The House wants to increase cigarette taxes by $.50 and some fees and the Lietenant Governor (Barbour mini-me wannabe) will not let the Senate consider any budget that involves tax increases. Meanwhile, Medicare "clawback" provisions on Medicaid will hit the state in 2006 and the minimum payments on the state's $4 Billion debt will make the state's financial picture worse next year.

The U. S. Congress approval rating from the public is around 37%, I suspect the Mississippi Legislature's approval rating is worse than that. They just aren't taking care of business, our business. As much as Conservatives hate "activist" judges, the Mississippi Legislature and the Governor are abdicating the responsibility of funding education to the courts. They are "Inactivist" Executive and Legislative Branches.

Meanwhile the Guv, is soliciting his secret, big business, campaign contributions for the next election, fiddling while Mississipi's Burning.

Somebody, please, Blink!!!!!