The Moderate President

President Obama is already becoming more moderate. He has to, because the voters spoke and gave him a more conservative legislature. He's already cut a few deals with them and I expect this to continue. These compromises will mean poor policy, but not horrible policy.

The tax deal is a case in point. He gave the Repubs their tax break for rich people (including estates) in exchange for...hmmm....I'm drawing a blank. Oh yeah, in exchange for passing something.

Unfortunately, the country is conservative. Conservative sour grapes at the defeat of McCain/Palin and the victory of the Black Muslim Socialist will not abate as long as Americans keep watching Fox News and listening to knucklehead radio. Every move Obama makes will be wrong and there will be more exasperated cries of "I can't believe we elected this guy" at EVERYTHING he does or doesn't do. Our brief flirtation with wise and effective policies for the last two years is coming to a slow halt. More foolish tax breaks and attempts to de-fund health care reform should be on the short term docket for 2011.

Happy fucking New Year.