The "New Way" in Government Begins Today

It's that time again- a new Congress will be seated today. Meanwhile in Harrisburg, a new state legislature will be seated as well. In the U.S. House, Republicans will have a little bit smaller majority, but no less ruthlessly effective of one. In the U.S. Senate, things will be narrowly divided between the two sides, with the Republican Majority sitting at 52-48 for the new term. In Harrisburg, Democrats are in much worse shape- down roughly 40 seats in the House, and 32-18 in the Senate. It's a tough time to be a Democrat.

You're going to hear a lot about a "new day" of united Republican government in Washington today, particularly from Speaker Paul Ryan's mouth. His "new day" is a GOP majority that will cut taxes on the upper brackets and corporations, kind of like the old GOP. They will attempt to gut out Medicare and Social Security, like the old GOP. They will pass anti-abortion bills, much like the old GOP. They will de-regulate energy companies, banks, health insurers, and housing, much like the old GOP. In short, the "new way forward" in Congress that begins today is essentially not unlike the old way forward from the Bush years- at least on the Congressional side. If you're thinking things will be any different in Harrisburg at the state level- don't. Expect attempts at voter suppression, backward social politics, and refusals to fund education or raise any more revenue.

Today, the only "different" thing lying ahead is the oncoming Trump Administration, which is not different on any of the things above, so don't be shocked as he signs these pieces of legislation. Wher we enter a new era this year is in other areas, areas like foreign policy, freedom of the press, and protections for the vulnerable. In those areas, all bets are off this year, and in those areas these new legislators on the right will be challenged- who will they fight for when the time comes? I hate to think I already know the answer.