Vox Populi

Slim majorities of both Houses of Congress have now completed the People’s Work. From those of us who pay their salaries, a grateful, “Well done!” Tremendous sense of accomplishment, and so on.

Given their Constitutional options of 1, supporting the war effort or 2, using the power of the purse to de-fund it, the Congressional majority chose Door Number 3, Monty. They are now taking their bows at the end of a highly stylized political kabuki dance which involved intense, months-long negotiations – hard work, this – to craft mutually acceptable language in a military supplemental bill intended to fund combat operations in Iraq.

With, you know: Certain caveats. Codicils. Conditions imposed upon a Commander-in-Chief who loudly and repeatedly expressed his unwillingness to submit his Article II powers under the US Constitution to a fractious 535-member council of war. A president who has promised to veto the bill on arrival. A veto that, given the numbers in play, everyone knew all along would be sustained by both Houses.

So, again: Congratulations!

And while our allies who thought that we were, you know, serious when we asked them to go to war with us wonder who they signed on with, the burning words on each arm-twisted US politician’s lips as the inevitable veto looms, are:

“Do I get to keep the pork?”

You know, that pork-laden $20⁺ billion of the overall $124 billion package which involved, for example throwing $25 million at California spinach growers? The troop support involving $75 million worth of peanut storage in Georgia? The $120 million for the Atlantic menhaden fishery? The menhaden fishery, for God’s sake?

Think about the CHILDREN!!1! They don’t even know what a “menhaden” is!

I’m sorry, dear: No. Your vote was purchased to lose the war, not to try and win it.

But cheer up, l’il buckaroo: Harry promises you more Senate seats! So at least it’s not a total loss.

In fact, given the inevitability of a veto, and the equal political impossibility of de-funding troops actually in the field, it’s looking more and more like that was the real strategy all along. The People’s Work continues.

Bravo.