Clinton: This N.A.F.T.A. thing seems like a great idea to me.
Bush: Hell yeah. Me too.
Clinton: Wow, we have so much in common. We should be friends.
Bush: That sounds awesome. We can turn our beds into bunk beds and then we’ll have so much more room for activities.
Clinton: Good thinking. C’mere and give me a hug.
Bush: Mmmm… You smell good. Is that a mango conditioner?
Clinton: Yes. My new intern loves it.

That other guy who was there: That idea sucks. Someone pay attention to me.

I know what you’re thinking – There are a lot of differences between the two parties. Things like gay rights, the second amendment, and the whole evolution vs. the Flintstonian theory. And you’re right, but what occurred to me then, and what I’ve seen time and again since, is that there is no difference in economic policy between a republican politician and their democratic counterpart. Sure, they talk a different talk, but what do they actually do that is so different? Much like Clinton and Bush in ‘92 regarding N.A.F.T.A. Obama and McCain practically fought over who liked the banking bailout more. Between 2009 and 2011 democrats held the presidency and a majority in both houses of congress. In that time they managed to give billions of dollars to the banking industry and military contractors (because they kept us in Iraq and Afghanistan and the rest of the world), they passed a financial reform bill that was the textbook definition of a paper tiger, and gave us health care reform that put a proverbial band-aid on a gunshot wound.

So when it comes to issues that are emotionally charged and can be debated until the cows come home (i.e. abortion) we have clear divisiveness and ideology, but when it comes to the bottom line – the issues that will really effect normal people on a day to day basis – things that will have an impact on interest rates and the job market – we have complete bi-partisanship. Even if that bi-partisanship comes in the form of faked surrender or underachievement, the result is the same. Sadly, it’s been going on for so long that it’s become cliche – the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.