Political Theatre

The Obamacare/government funding debacle has again focused the country's attention on the considerable differences between the Obama Democrats and Boehner Republicans. But one of the primary misunderstandings regarding this latest titanic struggle concerns the popular but misplaced notion that Congress is dysfunctional because of politics.

 

I refer to the popular caricature of Republicans and Democrats sitting around all day with nothing to do other than plot evil deeds against each other. This simplistic notion might appear accurate to those who wish to throw all the bums out. But it begs a far more accurate (and illuminating) explanation: The respective parties remain in fundamental disagreement about what ails our country.In other words, it's about ideas — very different, but honestly held — that (in many cases) do not easily lend themselves to compromise.Tonight ABC and Germaine will discuss this issue and more.