Lame-duck Politics

Lame-duck sessions are usually free of politics. This is the time when there are no big legislations or controversies that spur up political vibes. This is the time when people are the least cynical about the congress. The feel sorry for the exiting congress and happy for the newly elected one. But this year everything is different. More bills of extraordinary importance are springing up every now and then in the lame duck period. The nuclear arms treaty bill and the unemployment benefits extension bill, not to mention the debates over the Bush-era tax cuts and the budget defecit. It seems that the lame duck period is probably more exciting than the election campaign itself. When John Boehner said "Politics is OVER", he was either sarcastic or too optimistic. It seems that the duel has just began. While the two parties fight over legislations in a critical period of transformation, the lives of millions not just in America but around the world hangs on a loose thread.