Exploring Liberal Myths: The Republicans as the Party of No

This article is part 3 in a 5 part series: Exploring Liberal Myths.  Here are the other stories:

1. America’s International Standing
2. Torture

“No” is one of the most powerful words in the English language.  If you have a pet or a child, it is probably the first word they learn.  ”No” is so powerful because it ceases all actions (or is supposed to).  Nothing can continue when someone reaches a “No.”  ”No” does not have to mean that a dead end has been reached.  Many who have said “No” have later changed their minds and said “Yes.”  But in order to convert a “No” to a “Yes” it usually means that certain objections must be overcome, first.

Since the Democrats took control of Congress in 2006 (and the White House in 2008) Republicans have often said “No.”  This word often has negative connotations in our lives but, really, “No” means you are getting closer to an agreement.

Think about that last sentence for a moment…

Let’s use an example as to how “No” means we are getting closer to “Yes.”

Will you vote for this bill?

No but if  we can change this amendment I would.

“No” can be used to flush out any objections, which can then be elaborated upon so that an agreement can be reached.  If the Democrats propose a bill and Republicans say “No” but Democrats are not really interested in compromising with or listening to Republican objections then which party is really to blame?

Any party which holds minority power does the same thing… they complain about what the party in power does, they put forth alternate proposals, they complain when their proposals are ignored, and are labelled “obstructionist” at some point by the majority.

Republicans tried to work with Democrats on healthcare “reform” but were silenced many times (here’s an example from MSNBC):

House and Senate Democrats intend to bypass traditional procedures when they negotiate a final compromise on health care legislation, officials said Monday, a move that will exclude Republican lawmakers and reduce their ability to delay or force politically troubling votes in both houses.

Here is an example regarding Obama’s “stimulus” plan:

Republicans have caught the Democrats in a midnight “stimulus” power play that seeks to cut Republican conferees out of the House-Senate negotiations to resolve a final version of the Obama “stimulus” package. Staff members from the offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) met last night to put together the “stimulus” conference report.

They intend to attempt to shove this $1.3 trillion spending bill through in the dead of the night without Republican input so floor action can take place in both chambers on Thursday.

There are many other examples but I believe the point has been made.

One always has to question whether members of a political party are taking a certain stand for reasons based upon politics or based upon principle however the Republicans in Congress have not supported the massive spending Democrats have passed, healthcare “reform” which is half-baked and won’t do anything, or things like Cap and Trade (which many Democrats won’t support).  Republicans have tried to work with Obama on issues such as trade agreements and troops in Afghanistan and other national security matters.

But for Liberals to label the Republicans the “Party of No” and leave it at that shows their shallow thinking.  If Republicans were the only ones saying “No” then why would Obamakare and Cap and Trade, two of the president’s biggest goals, be dead?

Liberals seek to sloganize Republican opposition which, in poll after poll, shows that the American public agrees with the GOP and not with Democrats ( which is why that party lost Massachusetts).

“No” is actually a point that everybody should seek to reach in a negotiation because it means you are getting closer to an agreement unless, like the Democrats, you really don’t want to reach an agreement you just want a mindless slogan on which to campaign.

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