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If you dozed off – and who could blame you – and missed the latest developments in the news, here’s a quick recap. 84% of Americans are “dissatisfied with the job Congress is doing” – or really not doing. The GOP scramble for the Presidential nomination continues – loudly – but without much change. The folks in Wisconsin, still reeling after their beloved Green Bay Packers were booted off their all but certain path to the SuperBowl, have taken a bold step in recalling their not so beloved Governor. And to bring things full circle, many of our favorite websites, i.e. Google and Wikipedia, are going “black” today; protesting legislation proposed by the knuckleheads in Congress, which besides proving a huge pain the butt, should push that 84% number north. Or is it south?

Let’s take that last item first. To be perfectly honest, I’m not exactly sure what the issue is with the internet black-out, although terms like “copyright infringement” and “privacy” are being bantered freely about. What I do know is that with everything that’s going on in the world and the country right now – Iran and nuclear arms, the deficit, pay-roll tax-cut - it seems apparent that Congress has better things to do than blindly wandering into the “no man’s land” of the “world wide web”. That Washington is teaming up with Hollywood makes me even more concerned. Past history has shown us that these two “parties” more often than not, do not have our best interests in mind, but rather their own – which means money. On the other hand, although I don’t always understand them, the “techies” usually know what they’re talking about – so sign me up for the “Geek Squad”.

That Congress has made this issue a priority – possibly even creating it – a “problem” which most of us were not aware of 24 hours ago, is a perfect example of why they have an 84% negative rating. That they’re picking up in 2012 right where we left off in 2011, with yet another legislative song and dance, just compounds the issue.

The new mantra of the hell bent for leather Republican anti- Romney cadre of presidential wannabes has officially declared that Mitt Romney , former leader of Bain Capital is a capitalist pig. This, of course, has nothing to do with his two underwhelming victories in Iowa and New Hampshire . Instead these pronunciations are intended to enlighten us that capitalism, free market economy, and the entrepreneurial spirit are no longer tenets of the Republican party.

Who Knew that the official party line is now been altered? I mean what’s a strident supporter of Adam Smith, Milton Friedman , and my hero, Thorstein Veblen to do? “ The business of America is business” was the clarion call of the rock ribbed Republican agenda since the salad days of the immortal Calvin Coolidge. Now, I don’t know what to think . I’m a lost soul.

Next , we’ll be hearing Newt Gingrich tell us that he” Feels our Pain.” Rick Perry will be singing Kumbaya at all his campaign appearances. But the worst news , and most disheartening news, however, is that Rick Santorum has disclosed that he was a long standing member of the Liberace fan club. I’m nauseous.

In case you are still in holiday mode, rummaging through the refrigerator while watching College football bowl games, and missed it, the non-predictive GOP Iowa Caucuses were held Tuesday night and the results are in – kind of. Mitt Romney won by 8 votes – not a typo – 8 votes - over Rick Santorum – again – not a typo. Ron Paul – again – well you catch my drift - finished in a not so distant third place. Bringing up the rear were Newt “Baby Huey” Gingrich, Iowan native Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry. “Where’s Waldo?” candidate John Huntsman was at the bottom of the heap with 1% of “the vote”. 

If you were hoping for some resolution or at least a break from the breathless political punditry and some real news – sorry – the Iowa results didn’t satisfy. On the other hand if you are looking for continued political theater to break up your winter doldrums, you won’t be disappointed, for at least the next couple of weeks. The only tangible result of Tuesday night’s frolic is that Michele Bachmann, who named herself  “America’s Iron Lady” late last week, is “stepping aside”, although she is nine-times haunted by “Obamacare”. As entertaining as she’s been, fact-checking her statements had become like shooting fish in a barrel. Rumor has it though that she may make a run for the Senate, but that’s Minnesota’s problem, not ours.

Rick Perry was also rumored to be leaving the race, but that office memo never reached the candidate. Declaring that the Iowa’s Caucuses were not a “real primary” – true – “quirky” – a favorite term of my grandmother’s – the process is “loosey-goosey” – a  favorite of my father’s – and that Democrats were allowed to vote – a phenomenon he may not like, but would face in a general election – Perry unabashedly donned some Spandex and is boldly continuing on to South Carolina. Unfortunately the memo explaining the next electoral battleground will be in New Hampshire also seems to have been “lost in transit”.

   I have been hibernating over the past few months for a myriad of reasons. I have been wavering in my commitment to continue with this endeavor , and have been so turned off by the continued lunacy of the political distractions that have become the norm , that I had hoped a self imposed strategy of benign neglect would provide some shelter from the storm. Nothing seems to work. As Joe Louis said about Billy Conn “ You can run, but you can’t hide.”

   Since approximately a fortnight before Thanksgiving , I have lost my mother, Ida Liner (age 90) who suffered with dementia; two longstanding neighbors, Dr. Steve Steinberg and Lenny Klein; Golf buddy, Bob Buettner; Fraternity Brother, Jeff Lieb: and most recently this past week law school classmate, Steve Berger. Other than Lieb’s funeral which occurred in Florida, I have been trekking over to Sol Levinson’s like my car was on auto pilot. Klein was a schoolteacher , Steinberg a cardiologist and Buettner an attorney . None of them made it to 60.

   I could write a lot more bio information about all of them, but it’s time to let go of the grief and move on . At least, that’s what I’m trying to convince myself to do in the new year . Count my blessings and appreciate the things that I can. As part of that healing process , I’m going to start writing again on a regular weekly basis and jump back into deep end.

   I want to say thanks to my family , especially my wife , kids , daughter-in law, and grand kids . Also, to my partner , Joe Velisek , who’s endured throughout the past six months, thanks for hanging in there . Two Thousand Twelve is a presidential election year, and it’s time to get back into the game. Next week the Iowa caucus results are in , and then the  Hew Hampshire primary comes soon thereafter. The push toward November has started to heat up.

   Watching the Republicans is fantastic. Newt Gingrich, talking about his mother’s mental problems lost it momentarily , and displayed his vulnerability in a teary pose, reminds me of Ed Muskie crying after he got fucked over in New Hampshire by the Union Leader who had trashed him unmercifully.   That moment of weakness destroyed his candidacy. There is no crying in politics.

    Happy New Year and a Healthy New Year to all of you.

Poor John Boehner. I mean that. He became Speaker of the House last January and if his initial spontaneous and recurring weepiness was any indication, Mr. Boehner’s becoming Mr. Speaker was the realization of a life-long dream. If his emotional reaction was a tad over the top, I do believe it was sincere. But I do wonder if he’d like to put that House leadership genie back in the bottle. Or to paraphrase my daughter and her friends – “How’s that Speaker thing working for you, Mr. Boehner?” Because with this latest House of Representatives ‘impasse/stalemate”, i.e. the “non” extension of the pay-roll tax cut, Speaker Boehner is stuck holding the legislative bag – and the bag stinks – it stinks enough to make one’s eyes water.

The irony here is that the Speaker is stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place. First he has to defend the position of increased taxes, the exact opposite of what he and his Republican/Conservative brethren have been railing against all year. Second, and due to a unique occurrence for 2011, Boehner is trapped in the corner because of bipartisanship. This extension of the tax cut was passed by a vote of 89-10 in the Senate; Democrat Harry Reid and Republican Mitch McConnell actually working together and building a consensus, and a big one at that. Who woulda thunk?

Just to compound the “Who’s in charge of the House?” issue – the Senate promptly left town for the holidays. Mr. Boehner – and you have to give him credit here for creativity – pulled out his Congressional rule-book and after “rejecting” the tax-cut extension, demanded that a “conference” be held to hammer out the “differences”. This made for a neat little sound-bite, and Boehner appeared to be in charge as he valiantly tried to pass on the hot potato he was holding; but this little charade couldn’t disguise the fact that once again, just like a substitute teacher, the Speaker had completely lost control of his classroom.

As the sad charade of “Newt for President” continues its destructive downward spiral, Jon Stewart makes a heartfelt attempt to talk the Republican Party off the Gingrich ledge.

Video Link

Now that Herman Cain’s candidacy has imploded – Finally! It was becoming excruciating to watch - former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, aka Baby Huey, has surged to the top of the polls as the Republicans search for an alternative – any alternative – to Mitt Romney to run against President Obama next year. Personally I couldn’t be happier. In fact I’m ecstatic. If there is any man – any individual – who is the quintessential example – the epitome if you will – of what is wrong with the people we are electing to office – it is Newt Gingrich.

Newt combines all the loathsome qualities we have come to take for granted and even expect from our politicians. He’s egotistical - his arrogance only outdone by his condescension; he’s hypocritical; and he’s a blatant opportunist. Newt’s taken flip-flopping – sometimes within the same paragraph – to an art form. He defines the label “Washington insider”, collecting millions of dollars as an “historian” – never as a lobbyist. (He really didn’t need the money – he tells us - but he took it and cashed the checks – repeatedly – and for years.) But just like the rest of us mere mortals, “Huey” has a blind spot – and it’s a doozy – reality.

And for Heaven’s sakes, do not make the mistake of pointing out this “cognitive dissonance” to Newt; confusing him with facts, history or even video – particularly the tape of him sitting with Nancy Pelosi bemoaning global warming. These captured moments in time and his “quotes” have all been taken out of context and if you persist in bursting his bubble – well – you’re a liar.

To continue on my Three Stooges Marathon theme of last week, the Congressional Debt Reduction Super Committee announced Monday that – well – “they got nothin’” – The definition of “Super” taking on a whole new, albeit negative meaning. After months of “behind closed doors negotiating” along with very out in the open posturing and self-righteous lecturing by both parties, once again, the country is left with bupkis. Although this latest example of D.C. paralysis or dysfunction is not surprising – an agreement was doomed to failure from the start – it doesn’t make this political buffoonery any less appalling.

Concoct any analogy you want – a critical project at work; a homework assignment; or simply getting your tax return in on time. Now imagine as the day of reckoning approaches walking into your boss’ office; approaching your teacher after class; or calling the IRS - and with a smirk and a shrug explaining that the task assigned to you was “beyond your control and capabilities” and then simply walking away. In “real life” the repercussions of such an antic would start with being kicked out of the door onto your keister. But in the Congressional bizarro world of Washington, DC, such a monumental failure to achieve is greeted with a languorous yawn.

That no one expected anything productive from the Super Committee makes the anti-climactic result of this three month charade all the more pathetic. Pick your side of the aisle, the “Just say No” Republicans or the “testicularly challenged” Democrats, we have accepted that Congress – and to a larger extent Washington, DC in general - is incapable of doing anything - The Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Pigs scenario on constant loop. Although this was a congressional failure there will, and should be blow-back on the Obama White House. A Plan B better have been devised weeks ago starting with vetoing any extension of the Bush tax cuts. (By any economic measure – GDP growth, employment, deficit reduction – they have proven to be a dismal failure.)