Pelosi may have managed to make the only winning move.

[screembloodymurder]

Zugzwang!

The timing of our current economic crisis reminds me of a game strategy in chess.

Zugzwang (German for compulsion to move) occurs when a player is forced to make an undesirable move. The player is put at a disadvantage because he would prefer to pass and make no move, but a move has to be made, and all moves weaken his position. Situations involving zugzwang usually occur in the endgame, when there are few choices of available moves.

It has been reported that the Paulson Economic Bailout Plan is several months old. Why was the plan withheld from Congress until the week before the election recess? Was it intentionally held back to prevent a full examination of alternative plans and force Congress to vote under intense time pressure? Think about it! Bush has used disaster, crisis and fear to force concessions and grab power. If this administration is using our current crisis to force an ill-advised vote, it is political extortion of the highest order.

When you are in zugzwang, any move you make is bad.

If the Democrats support the plan and win the election, they are left with no money for their programs and effectively have their hands tied for four years. If they don't support the plan and there are more failures, they risk becoming scapegoats and losing the election.

I wrote that a couple days ago. Somehow Pelosi managed to support the bill but not have it pass and that wasn't a move I anticipated.

[Old and In the Way]

1. The timing was indeed political and designed to enhance Republican chances in this election cycle.

I think they were hoping to get a very partisan vote on this. Democrats for and Republicans against. The bill passes and Republicans run as populists against the Democrat-Big Business axis.

Perhaps we really don't know the inside politics. Maybe Pelosi and the Democratic leadership saw the Republican split and realized the planned agreement to get a majority of both parties was going down...so they they let it die. If so, it may end up giving the Democrats a chance to craft a real bill that can bring all Democrats on board to support it. A plan that would be far better deal for the taxpayers. Short term, there's lots of pain and angst. But if the immediate answer was to kill Democrats chances in this election, much better that it went down this way.

[speedoo]

2. Interesting thought.

I've been thinking about the possibility that she deliberately PO'd the rethugs to get them to vote no. I think that's not likely, but she did not miss the opportunity to zing them before the vote.

[Metta]

3. If Dems take care of the people first and corporations next, more good would be done.

Remember Maslow's Hierarchy. Health, safety, housing, environment are all basic needs. Taking care of them first before working up the societal ladder will do more good than any thing else.

Plus, this president is only concerned with depleting our blood and treasure for his personal gain and that of his friends. He's squandered our money with the same reckless unconcern for its consequences.

It's past time people came first in this turned around country of ours.

[dkofos]

4. Sounds good so far. How does the game end??

[screembloodymurder]

6. Good question. I didn't think we had a winning move, but

who knows ... it's their move.

[ColbertWatcher]

5. ZUGZWANG FTW! n/t