I'm a strong believer in compromise. It's how our democracy works. Usually a compromise is never completely satisfactory to either party, but maintains enough of each political party's core principles to move the policy forward. That's what happened in the debate about "tax breaks for the wealthy."
This compromise was an example of how the two parties can work together. Moderate Republicans sided with moderate Democrats to pass necessary bills during the lame duck session. Unfortunately, a number of those moderates are now gone, and we are left with a new batch of tea party types. They are likely to obstruct and try to reshape our democratic government into something that will not benefit the middle class.
There are three compromise themes one must track during this next Congressional session: health care reform; comprehensive immigration reform; and budget deficit and regulatory reform. Each of these tracks have systemic implications for our national growth, job creation and economic prosperity.
The new Congressional R's want to reduce government, reduce spending, reduce entitlements (Social Security and Medicare). A formula for disaster. They oppose health care reform (the House passed a repeal bill in spite of increasing public support for the bill, offering nothing to replace it). The R's want to re-impose onerous rules about pre-existing conditions, and not allow parental coverage of children to age 26. They vigorously support increased profits for insurance companies. Only the rich will benefit.
Comprehensive immigration reform does not appear to be in their playbook either. They show little inclination to compromise. Many of the new R's support the thinly veiled racist Arizona law, HB 1070, and are encouraging their states to pass similar laws. These are the wall builders who are not likely to engage in dialogue about helping those who want to become citizens actually achieve their dreams.
These Congressional Republicans are not the GOP of our grandfathers. They are not traditional conservatives. They are focused on abstract ideas of ideological purity and have very strong anti-government views.
During this current recession Wall Street financiers and the big banks (because of their greed and unregulated trades) almost went belly up. Most were bailed out, and they are now sitting on almost $1 trillion in taxpayer profits. They say there is too much economic uncertainty for them to lend. What they mean is they don't like the regulations imposed on them to mitigate their greed and avarice. The Congressional R's appear committed to helping unethical corporate sponsors deregulate.
Let's be certain to monitor these modern-day robber barons and their Congressional supporters. If we don't, they will "eat our lunch." We may then experience a real depression.
• Eugene Paslov is a board member of the Davidson Academy at the University of Nevada, Reno and the former Nevada state superintendent of schools.