Republicans were responsible for the lack of progress since 2008, and will be for the next two years

Thanks for bringing up some interesting responses, Con. I would first like to point out, though, that my opponent has done very little to support his own contention. He has attempted to refute the points I bring up, but did not back up his assertion (which, as I will demonstrate momentarily, is incorrect) with any degree of adequacy. First things first, I should address his responses to my assertions, as they are directly relevant to my own contention. -My opponent is correct in stating that the definition of progress is subjective. However, I think it can generally be agreed upon in this context that progress can be viewed as a re-stabilization of the economy, securing the defense capability of the nation, and enabling and open discussion that goes beyond partisan politics. There are all things that the republican party has demonstrably been against. -If I wanted to, I'm sure I could find as many vaguely theoretical quotations that could be phrased to support my own contention as my opponent could to support his, but unless they are directly and explicitly related to the debate at hand, they have any relevance, and neither does Albert Einstein's. -With regards to the bill removing tax breaks for companies sending jobs overseas, it really doesn't matter whether a handful of democrats were opposed to the bill. The Republicans were unanimous in their opposition, and in relation to the theme of economic progress, it seems absolutely foolish to attempt to argue that rewarding companies for killing American jobs is a productive measure. The fact of the matter is that unemployment is at record highs, and if Republicans stand in opposition to a bill that would protect American jobs, or at least discontinue the practice of incentivizing the elimination of those jobs, then they truly have no concern for the lasting recovery of the economy. (. http://www.cbsnews.com...) -My opponent is correct in stating that the Small Business Act was passed, but it was initially blocked by Republicans. It was only when the bill was redrafted to address the interests of estate taxes and other big businesses that they agreed to pass it through the Senate. -On the veteran's assistance expansion bill, I will only say that it seems clear we should provide homeless people who fought our wars to provide us with the freedoms we enjoy with a means to get their lives back on track. My opponent was correct in pointing out that Republicans opposed the bill on principle alone instead of considering its value. The fact of the matter is that the homeless are typically out of work, and creating a path to assist them in getting jobs and turning them into productive members of society rather than liabilities on the system is important. Republicans refuse to pass any bill which adds to the deficit, even if that bill will benefit the economy. Economic stimulus and recovery programs cost an initial investment that leads to returns. (. http://www.huffingtonpost.com...) -I am actually surprised that my opponent has not heard about the republican opposition to the bill providing health care for responders who became ill as a result of working on the 9/11 disaster site, as it has been a big issue. 155 house republicans voted the bill down when it was proposed in July. Again, republicans voted against it because it would add to the deficit. It is a repulsive act of betrayal not to assist those who risked their lives after the 9/11 attacks to help recover from the disaster with their health care bills. (. http://www.nytimes.com...) -In regard to the Jobs bill, it was initially blocked, and the fact that 11 republicans voted for it, while astounding in this partisan political environment, is hardly admirable or demonstrative of unified republican support of the bill. -The stimulus bill and bailouts for the auto-industry actually DID work and are CONTINUING to work, so my opponent is dead-wrong on this point. The stimulus created 3 million new jobs, some of which were in states governed by republicans (who were very vocally against the bill, but applied for funding post-vote to create jobs in their own states). The stimulus also increased our yearly output by $400 billion. (. http://www.usatoday.com...) GM and the auto industrialists who benefited from bailouts have already nearly paid back what the were given, and corporate earnings are at RECORD HIGHS. (. http://www.politicsdaily.com...)What republicans and my opponent are too short-sighted to realize is that, in both private and national matters of economy, you have to SPEND MONEY to MAKE MONEY. Investing in programs which help create jobs instead of letting the economy flounder and die is VITAL to economic recovery. -With regards to the START treaty, my opponent is correct in saying that it has not been voted on yet – what I meant to say was that republicans have pledged to vote it down when the bill is brought. One republican plans to oppose the bill in perpetuity. (. http://news.opb.org...) -As I'm low on characters, I will respond to my opponent's last few points by saying that, regardless of whether or not you agree with who is in the White House, opposing bills that will benefit America based on political grounds is about as anti-progress as it gets. Republicans have time and time again used the anti-deficit excuse for voting down bills that are incredibly important to our economic recovery and our progress as a humane nation. Republicans, who claim to be champions of the middle-class, are currently holding up a bill to extend the Bush tax cuts for people making under 250,000 dollars a year because that bill does not extend the tax cuts for people who make over a quarter-million dollars. This is a vile betrayal to those they portend to represent in government. They have vowed to continue their opposition until the richest 2% of the earners are rewarded the extension on the tax cuts, even if it means that the tax cuts expire and the 98% of Americans who make less than $250,000 will see an increase in tax-rates when the bill expires. If tax cuts are extended to those making over $250,000, it will add $700 billion dollars to the very deficit that republicans so adamantly claim to fight. Ostensibly, republicans are strong in their opposition to bills that add to the deficit, but in reality, they are simply looking for excuses to vote on partisan lines for political gain. (. http://www.newsweek.com...) In summation, republicans have clearly been the obstructers of positive progress and growth in this country, and there is no reason to assume that they won't continue this trend. My opponent claims that Keynesian economic policies, which allow the government to regulate private industry, are at fault for this disaster. However, as we saw in the lead-up to the Great Depression and the more recent crash that created this recession, it is the irresponsible Anti-Keynesian deregulation of business that lead to the disasters. As we observed during the recovery from the Great Depression, it was SPENDING that got us back on track. This is what the Republicans oppose, so instead of progress, we see stagnation. Thanks to my opponent.