In Joseph Heller’s novel, everything that sounds good has a catch that means it is too good to be true, at least for you. Politics is like that; here are some examples:
- The President can be impeached, but only after committing a “high crime”–too late to prevent it.
- The President can be removed under the Twenty-fifth Amendment if disabled, but only if the entire cabinet appointed by the President agrees.
- The Constitution should be taken literally, but “a well organized militia” can be ignored.
- The Constitution should be taken literally, but “corporations are persons under the law.”
- The Constitution should be taken literally, but corporate funded campaign advertising is “speech.”
- The First Amendment guarantees “Freedom of the Press,” but the NY Times had better shut up.
- Civil rights are important, but not if your rights conflict with someone’s religious views.
- Separation of Church and State is important, but it’s ok for taxpayers to pay for religious education.
- States’ rights are important, but should be overridden when fracking is at issue.
- You can have “access” to health care, but you can’t afford it.
- You can have a tax cut, if the rich and super rich get a bigger one.
- You can have a tax cut, with an offsetting cut to SS and Medicare benefits.
- Social Security and Medicare can be saved, only if benefits are cut.
- Women’s health care is important, but not if Planned Parenthood is the provider.
- Environmental protection is important, but not if protection affects profits.
- Conflict of interest rules apply, but not if you are very rich.
- Nepotism is wrong, but not if you are President.
I think I could go on; perhaps readers will suggest more.
This entry was posted in Congress, Political, President and tagged Catch 22. Bookmark the permalink.
