In the last year or so I have noticed a mysterious shift in the terms of debate in Washington. The same phenonmena got new names and terms after Clinton was inaugurated. It has taken me a while to wade through it all and there is still much work to be done, but here is a first crack at straightening out the confusing Washington debate. I'm sure there are many more terms I haven't notice the transformation of, this is just a start.
Phenomenon of the Clinton The exact same phenomenon when Administration a Republican is president ----------------------------- ------------------------------- Friend of Bill (FOB) crony The small, tightly-knit A place where conflict of interest Arkansas business and political and insider dealing among the elites community is a way of life Serving his country honorably for Greedily exploiting the revolving a short time and then returning door between the executive branch to private practice and big business Finding a cabinet that looks like cynical tokenism America We're creating an environment that Anyone who would become a powerful makes it nearly impossible for good, public official should expect to qualified people to serve their give up privacy and be subject to country in government closer scrutiny than the average citizen The sad decline of civility and Properly holding those bastards' respect in national political feet to the fire debate Blatant partisan maneuvering by Performing the rightful role of the other party -- have they no the loyal opposition -- the respect? president must be really arrogant to expect the opposition to roll over for him. Making partisan hay over a minor Properly ferreting out any hint scandal that really isn't a of impropriety and abuse in scandal the administration Unfairly smearing and savaging Providing due and proper scrutiny the President's nominees with of the President's nominees, and distortions and half-truths vigorously engaging in debate over the nominees' views A fishing expedition by the Performing due diligence in exercising opposition to dig up dirt the congressional oversight role Had to adjust expectations to meet Broke promises reality after the election was over Of course he never promised that-- The bastard lied to us 90% of Americans must not have heard him properly Even if he did promise that, you The bastard lied to us were an idiot to believe him and try to hold him to it -- but he's still a man of integrity Gridlock is finally breaking The elites in Washington are railroading their agenda through Congress"Teamed with the first Democratic President in nearly a decade, congressional leaders looked forward to a new era, free of the frequent vetoes of recent years. [The president], they hoped could also smooth the way for major new programs such as welfare reform and national health insurance." (Congressional Quarterly Almanac, 1977)