Ahtanum Valley Museum

The payroll tax cut issues that are locking up Congress possess the power to create both cultural and economic divides at a critical point in American history. The senate has overwhelmingly passed a version that would extend the payroll tax cuts by two months. This vote was bi-partisan and cleared by an 89-10 vote. The Republican led House of Representatives opted to bypass a vote all together on the issue. Speaker of the House John Boehner, a republican and fellow Ohioan is asserting that a two-month extension is not acceptable and will not call a vote on anything less than a full year extension.

This kind of change significantly alters an organism so that it can better survive. Evolution is all about survival through the advancement of an individual's physiological attributes. For sentient beings like humans and those with brains that are in close proximity to man the development also transpires on the psychological level.

The idea of an organism undertaking radical changes for the purpose of survival was considered a biological phenomenon. Certain species of fish develop better swimming capabilities to elude predators. Predators, like the Great White Shark, in need of food sources, often developed efficient means of hunting and killing prey. At the onset, the idea of evolution as well as the aspiration of every organism to become better was thought to exist in mere primal and base dimensions of existence. Simply put this held as the conduct, behavior and experience of animals with little or no psycho-social sophistication that human beings possess.

So why did Obama go ahead and request a joint session with those problems so apparent? Obama has been saying that he wanted to present his jobs plan as soon as congress was back in session. The earliest possible time to have a joint session is the evening requested since the House does not convene until 6:30pm that day. So from that angle, it makes sense. But why not wait until the following day or following week?

In the realm of politics evolution is a prime attribute for an individual or a group to survive and thrive. Human history yields many examples as to individuals changing to survive. They shift allegiances when faced with the defeat of their current ally. The reality of power and influence today, be they in the frame of government or not, is about adapting to the constantly shifting dimensions of human relationships. Regimes that are threatened by the loss of power abandon values of public service and justice to survive. They often become predatory and brutalize their own citizens. Politicians during an election season shift their stand and views on certain issues to garner greater public support.

Optimists of the program suggest that payroll tax savings will spur new hiring, which will become permanent hiring as the economy improves. The basis of this academic research is that private businesses are much more efficient and responsive to allocating capital and predicting forward demand than the federal government. In fact, a study cited by Dr. Gregory Mankiw of Harvard University in his recent article on Crisis Economics suggests that the net multiple may be as high as 4 to 1.

However, in the elaborate realm of power, influence and self-interest an individual or group may not actually die but succumb to a different kind of death-domination. In a way this is also against the nature of pursuing development. If an individual or group does not possess power they lack access to resources, and their interests have to give way to those who wield power. This leads to stagnation and denial of self-development.