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The Book of the Week is “Tip and the Gipper, When Politics Worked” by Chris Matthews, published in 2013.
Exactly two weeks after Republican (and former Democrat!) Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980, he and Democratic House Speaker Tip O’Neill, both of Irish ancestry and of the same generation but with class differences, met to see how they could cooperate in the new administration. They found little common-ground politically, but were able to socialize outside of work.
Reagan’s agenda on the budget was as follows: pass a tax cut for the rich, increase military spending, and reduce the national deficit at the same time. He expected major savings would be had by cutting programs such as education, the arts, food stamps, college loans and Social Security– the sacred cow of the Democrats. He truly believed that that would balance the budget, and maintain America’s national security against the “evil empire” of the then-Soviet Union.
Reagan ended up needing Democrats’ House votes to raise the debt ceiling. O’Neill shrewdly told the head of communications on Capitol Hill to personally send a letter to each of his fellow House party-members urging them to vote “aye” on debt-ceiling legislation, thus putting a political favor in writing.
The following video details the sleight-of-hand Reagan employed.
An additional way of looking at Reagan’s dogged mentality of refusing to face reality is this quote, from Bertrand Russell: “There is something feeble and a little contemptible about a man who cannot face the perils of life without the help of comfortable myths. Almost inevitably some part of him is aware that they are myths and that he believes them only because they are comforting. But he dare not face this thought! Moreover, since he is aware, however dimly, that his opinions are not rational, he becomes furious when they are disputed.” Also called “hubris syndrome.”
Anyway, read the book to learn much more about how Reagan and O’Neill clashed at work, but were still able to have civil discourse and healthy disagreement, while passing legislation that maintained America’s democracy.
Speaking of democracy, here’s a little song that describes the current messaging of the Trump administration– however unsavory it may be, but allowed, because free speech is a major ingredient of democracy.
WITCH HUNT ON BIDEN
sung to the tune of “Wichita Lineman” with apologies to Glenn Campbell and to whomever else the rights my concern.
They’re the leaders of the Trump PR team,
and they drive the main smears.
Searching everywhere for what his base,
wants to hear.
They put propaganda on the news wires.
They’re desperate to fill air-time.
And the witch hunt on Biden, distracts from Trump’s slime.
America needs a long vacation,
from this criminal reign.
A lot of GOP insiders’ consciences are cracking, from the strain.
Trump’s media thinks it can brainwash you.
They’re doing this on your dime.
And the witch hunt on Biden,
distracts from Trump’s slime.
Trump’s media thinks it can brainwash you.
They’re doing this on your dime.
And the witch hunt on Biden,
distracts from Trump’s slime.