Economics Takes A Back Seat

As the Congress debated criteria

To punish the leaders of Syria,
They discussed what was planned,
And whether we stand
On a footing that's clearly superior.

It's an issue remarkably grave
Of lives we may take or may save,
And the president's foe
May not "just say no,"
Though to do so they certainly crave. 

In the midst of this deliberation

Came a man from the econ vocation
Who said: "I have checked
Its likely effect
On oil, FX and inflation."

Though no-one may doubt the veracity

Of remarks in an econ capacity,

At the juncture we faced

They're seen in bad taste, 

As is gen'rally understood tacitly. 

As Congress and the nation debate the morality, strategy and efficacy of punitive attacks on the Syrian military, economic issues take a back seat. Even the most stridently partisan voices on such issues as fiscal and monetary stimulus or the debt ceiling are muted this week, as those whose forte is defense and foreign policy take center stage. 

One welcome result is that boundaries of Capitol partisanship are at least temporarily redrawn, as Republican leaders such as Senators McCain and Graham side with President Obama (as does the Democratic leadership), while leftists and Tea Partiers may be thrown together in opposition.  Is it too much to hope that, when the Debt Ceiling deadline comes up again in October, the partisans will have less appetite for the usual theatrics?