Good News for the Holiday Season--About Time

President Obama said yesterday he would sign the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigneous Peoples. The arc of history creaks toward justice. If my memory serves me well, it was almost a quarter of a century ago that I talked with Tim Coulter and Steve Tullberg of the Indian Law Resource Center about the United Nations effort to draft such a declaration. The idea at that time was the full participation of both American and Canadian Indians in the drafting of the Declaration would create a positive framework for something constructive for indigneous peoples around the world. By the active role of the American Indian community and non-profits devoted to Indian issues, it was hoped that the United States would support the Declaration. My own attempts to lobby the last American administration were pathetic. "American only defends the rights of individuals and not groups." was the refrain. Like corporations and the right to collective bargaining and the numerous Indian treaties. Anyway, to all those who advocated for the Declaration, a big bravo for creating something that is meaningful for planet earth. To the past and present personnel at the Indian Law Resource Center,you remind us how long and tough the road can be but that it can be worth it. With the recent settlement of the Cobell case, which went even longer than the United Nations Declaration,the Obama Administration has made significant progress in beginning to address old historical wounds. The President also said he supported the Native American Apology Resolution , which had been passed by Congress last year.

Other good news--Harry Reid failed in his attempt to bring the $1.1 trillion spending bill to the floor of the Senate. It will probably be replaced by a continuing Resolution. Why good news? Reid, who was pissed off by the Republicans who balked at the pressure of the tea party folks,immediately called for a cloture vote on DADT and the Dream Act for tomorrow. As of yesterday, there were 62 votes for the repeal of DADT. If the cloture vote succeeds, then there has to be a vote and DADT is likely to be repealed. I still have my doubts about the Dream Act.

The President signed into law the tax cuts and unemployment act. While both the right and left still are crying about it, none other than Charles Krauthammer opines that President Obama now has taken the high ground and captured the center and thus started his comeback at least a year ahead of Bill Clinton's.

The President met with the CEOs of major companies with the exception of the health insurance industry and oil companies. He tried to talk them into loosening their purse strings on the nearly $2 trillion they have been hoarding and getting them to invest in the economy and create jobs. Little noticed by the MSM was the news that the Administration's talks with China have paid off with new trade agreements. Today, President Obama is meeting with the major unions to talk about the economy and job creation. The man has begun to get his groove back.

In other great news, Ricky Cantor, Gentleman John Boehner's Number 2,has developed the new House calender for next Congress. If you recall the Republicans lose the House in 2006 because their was a public perception that they didn't do anything, having met only half the year. Well,this time they don't want it to be too exhausting. Cantor has decreed that for every two weeks the House works they will get a week off. He claims this will make the House more efficient and productive. So this means once again the House will sit for less than 6 months of the year. With Gentleman John Boehner's pledge to cut the congressional budget,this should put a little damper in Rep. Issa's crusade to investigate everything the Obama administration has ever done.

Hapless Harry Reid has to one of the most exasperating politicians to listen to and watch. But if he can pull off the repeal of DADT, the Dream Act,the New Start Treaty and the Tax Package in a lame duck session, he deserves Time Man of the Year and not Mr. Facebook.

The Lame Duck Session

We only have a short time before this Congress will give way to the clowncar of the next circus.

If you were President Barack Obama, you need two basic things--the ratification of the New Start treaty and the passage of the Defense Appropriations Act with the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Those should be the two top priorities.

For the purpose of the economy and the general welfare,perhaps, the most important issue would be the extension of the unemployment benefits. At no time in American history have these not been extended when our unemployment rate is above 7.5%. The House Democrats tried to fast-track approval, which requires 2/3rds of the House. The measure failed but it did put all the Republicans on the record as opposing these benefits, while all are for tax cuts for the wealthiest.

As for the extension of the tax cuts, House Democrats are already plannng to vote on the middle class tax cuts. Harry Reid plans several votes on different tax packages. If I were the Obama Administration and I didn't get credit for the larges middle class tax in history, I would not force the issue at the expense of either the Defense Bill or the Treaty.

The New Start Treaty is vital because it compliments the administration's efforts at non-proliferation. Failure to ratify would be applauded by Tehran and North Korea. The problem if the Treaty fails to ratify is that America will lack on-the-ground inspection ability in Russia,which most experts say terrorists will acquire nuclear materials.

After yesterday's summit of Secretary of States and NSC advisers at the White House in support of the Treaty and Dick Lugar's insistance that Harry Reid call the vote on his Republicans, the time to move is now. Otherwise,the momentum will be lost.

The Repeal of DADT will be a kabuki play choreographed around the release of the Pentagon Report and the hearings on the subject. The votes are there to break the filibuster and approve the repeal if the correct procedure will be used. But this will have to be compressed within a short time.

With the republican leadership conspicuously dissing the President's invitation to the White House, President Obama should just forget about reaching any accomodation with the GOP over the tax issue. He should simply ask his plan be voted on--step back from the fray--and have the GOP work to give the rich the tax breaks. Democrats shouldn't even play the game, just let the GOP try to muster their own votes for the tax breaks for the rich.

I have no idea how any extension of unemployment will work or even if it has a chance to pass.

But the Obama Administration must keep their eye on the prize. Secure the Treaty and repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Harry Reid wants a straight up and down vote on the DREAM Act, which Hispanics have been pushing. This Act once began with wide bipartisan support but now faces a divided Congress with the GOP' new embrace of anti-immigration ideas.

That's about all that really can get done in the Lame Duck. If they accomplish these things, it would have been one of the most productive sessions in history.

Then, we can begin the Republican campaign to roll back all of Obama's accomplishments. Don't lose heart. It will take much more effort than the GOP thinks.