Since the 114th Congress convened, Republicans have worked very hard to show us their priorities...including lying to the American public about the budget, reducing Social Security Disability benefits, reducing pay for American workers, reopening the Wall Street casino at its most out of control, and a series of quid pro quos for their wealthy patrons.
I'm considerably more pleased to report that Democrats are working just as hard to show us who they are...and what they've learned. The 2014 elections have shown the the futility of running a party for the benefit of the Blue Dogs, and that's a good thing.
The latest indication of that is that Wall Street millionaire Antonio Weiss has withdrawn his name from consideration for an important post at the Treasury Department with full cooperation from the White House. He was chosen to avoid the objections of the entire GOP which is deeply in the pockets of the financial sector and those Democrats who share that sorry abandonment of personal principle. Now, with the Landrieus and Hagans a distant memory the party can let loose the populist wing which has been straining for voice...and which stayed home in significant numbers last November.
I can't say I agree with that tactic because it brought us a radical Republican Congress, but I certainly agree with this new muscle being exerted by real Liberals. Good job Democrats...it's a great step in the right direction. All the evidence shows a vast populist well out there yearning to quench the American thirst for a way forward. Keep it up.
In lieu of seeking confirmation to the domestic finance post, Weiss will advise Lew on domestic and international economic policy issues. He wrote that the position “will allow me to begin serving immediately in support of the Administration’s efforts to foster broad-based economic growth and ensure financial reform that protects consumers and reduces the likelihood of future financial crises.”
Weiss’ new role will not require Senate confirmation.
Although the Wall Street veteran will serve in the Treasury Department after all, his withdrawal from the domestic finance post represents a significant win for Warren, whose fight against Weiss’ nomination became a rallying cry for those concerned about Wall Street’s influence over Washington policymakers. Her success in scuttling the nomination, even if it comes with a catch, may well prompt the White House to think twice before it submits the nomination of another Wall Streeter to a senior post.
Warren’s chief concern, laid out in a Huffington Post op-ed in November, was that Weiss’ background in international banking ill-suited him to a domestic finance position. Additionally, Warren cited his advisory role in Burger King’s merger with Canadian coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons — a so-called corporate inversion that allowed Burger King to reduce its U.S. tax burden. More generally, the progressive firebrand also railed against the “over-representation of Wall Street banks in senior government positions.”
http://www.salon.com/...
Is this development as positive as it could be? No, because Weiss will still serve Treasury. It is, however, another great sign of positive motion within the Democratic Party. Weiss won't have the power he might have had. The message has been clearly delivered that selling out to Wall Street will not be tolerated. The way is clear for a nominee who doesn't hew to the Neoliberal/Reaganomics ideology which has slowly destroyed the American economy.
Amazingly, Democrats seem to be getting a far better start at the new Congress than Republicans.