We Are Leaders…Or Not

I’ve never cared for John Boehner.  However, I’m saddened by his decision to retire.  As Speaker of the House, I believe John Boehner did an admirable job of policing a Republican Tea Party that is dysfunctional at best.  He was the voice of reason, the level head, of a party that is only interested in its own very narrow minded ideals and agenda.

I find it humorous that the front runner to replace him, Kevin McCarthy, took himself out of the running for the Speaker position at the last minute.  I can’t blame the guy though.  Why would anyone want to put themselves in that position?  It’s a thankless, career destroying position.  Which is why I understand why no one within the Republican Tea Party has shown any real willingness or intestinal fortitude to become the new Speaker of the House.

With control of Congress, this was supposed to be the time that the Grand Obstructionist Party proved to the people of the United States, and the world, that they could govern.  Yet, they’ve done anything but.  Once again, the Republican Tea Party led Congress failed to pass a long term budget.  Once again, political infighting prevents vital laws from being passed.  Once again, Republican Tea Party pundits are crying for a federal government shutdown to advance their own narrow minded ideals and agenda.  Once again…the Republican Tea Party has failed this country.

This one isn’t “Obama’s fault”.  The Republican Tea Party led Congress has had a chance to prove to the people of the United States and the world that they could govern.  Yet, they’ve proved they can’t even govern their own ranks.  As we look at electing a new President in 2016, is this really the party that we want to serve as this country’s figurehead?

Damned if I do, damned if I don’t

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Same ol’ Story, Same ol’ Song and {Tired} Dance

 

The Republican Tea Party in a Nutshell

The House led Grand Obstructionist Party (aka the GOP), declared “victory” by passing a short-term government spending bill which attempts to cut funding for “Obamacare”.  Senate Democrats, as well as President Obama, have already stated that any such provision will ensure that the bill will have no chance in hell of passing the Senate, much less the President’s desk.   This sets up yet another party-ideology fueled battle between Republicans and Democrats.  This sets up yet another potential for a federal government shutdown. 

House Speaker John Boehner was quoted as saying, “The American people don’t want the government shut down, and they don’t want Obamacare”.  Fora change, Mr. Boehner is partially correct.  Rational, responsible American people do not want the government to shut down.  Individual opinion regarding whether or not the American people are for or against “Obamacare” varies greatly.  What Mr. Boehner misses however is the ultimate point.  The American people are sick and tired of dysfunctional federal “representatives” that are more concerned with their political ideologies (and re-election) than making the decisions that are in the best interest of this country.

This is the 41^st attempt to undermine “Obamacare”.  While I am normally a great admirer of tenacity, there comes the time when one must recognize that the brick wall they are ramming themselves into repeatedly is not going to fall.  Priceless energy, time, and resources have been wasted by the Republican Tea Party’s efforts to thwart “Obamacare’s” implementation.  Yet again, Congress has shirked one of its most important responsibilities.  It is September 21, 2013.  Fiscal year 2014 starts in 10 days.  Our Congress, who is responsible for drafting the federal budget, has barely even begun to address this issue.  Instead, the Republican led House spent its time drafting a half-assed continuation bill that they knew had no chance of passing the Senate.  Once again the Grand Obstructionist Party has ensured the likelihood of a federal government shutdown.  Once again, our elected “leaders” have failed us.

The Republican Tea Party says it’s changing its ways, yet its actions suggest otherwise.  It is completely out of touch with the changes occurring in this county.  Just when it seems like they can’t possibly alienate the American people any further, they find a way to do so.  Such is the case with this recently proposed spending bill.

If the federal government shuts down, I will be furloughed yet again.  Furloughed due to ineptness.  For those that believe they won’t be adversely impacted by a federal government shutdown, think again.  Who do you think will be paying our “leaders” their six-figure salaries during that shutdown (guaranteed by the 27^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution)?  Your tax dollars.  So much for not being impacted.

 

Wow…You Really Do Reap What You Sow!

Its official, the United States has lost its AAA credit rating.  For the first time ever, the S&P lowered the United States rating from AAA to AA+.  While many “experts” predict this will amount to little in the way of practical consequences, it is yet one more sign of the mediocrity this great nation is slipping into.

 

The reasoning behind the downgrade varies depending on the source.  While the political impasse over raising our nation’s debt limit was not solely responsible for the downgrade, it certainly contributed to the decision.  Those that feign shock and surprise over the outcome are naïve, stupid, or both.  Signs and warnings that this was coming could be seen as early as April (U.S. Loses AAA Credit Rating From S&P, 2011).  Yet our nation’s “leaders” pissed away the opportunity to avoid this outcome.  As a result, they (and we) are reaping what they have sown.

 

One would hope this would serve as a wakeup call to our elected officials.  Yet, this seems to be anything but the case.  The finger pointing and rhetoric that put us in this position in the first place continues unabated.  House Speaker John Boehner responded to the news by stating the downgrade is “the latest consequence of overspending by Washington”(U.S. Loses AAA Credit Rating From S&P, 2011).  Not to be outdone, GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney called the downgrade “a deeply troubling indicator of our country’s decline under President Obama” (Obama administration official: S&P move ‘a facts-be-damned decision’, 2011).  While both men are correct this is the “latest consequence” and “a troubling indicator of our country’s decline”, both are wrong in who’s at fault.

 

It is not just Washington’s overspending, nor is it just President Obama, that created this outcome.  It is the actions (or perhaps more aptly inactions) of “leaders” like Boehner and Romney that ensured this situation.  It is the rhetoric, the mudslinging, the finger pointing, which forged this outcome.  It is the greed, egos, and special interests of our “leaders” that ensure the good of the minority capitalists over the majority nation which secured this end result.  We expect, and pay, our elected officials to make responsible, timely decisions.  They have done anything but.

 

There are consequences for one’s actions, even more so for one’s inactions.  While this most often pertains to the individual, nations are not exempt from this.  Not even the United States.  There are many reasons why the U.S. lost its pristine credit rating.  However, it is the inability of our  nation’s “leaders” to make responsible and timely decisions, which is ultimately to blame.

 

 

References:

 

Obama administration official: S&P move ‘a facts-be-damned decision’. (2011, August 6). Retrieved August 6, 2011, from CNN.com: http://www.cnn.com/2011/BUSINESS/08/06/credit.rating.reaction.cnn/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

 

U.S. Loses AAA Credit Rating From S&P. (2011, August 6). Retrieved August 6, 2011, from FoxNews.com: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/05/us-official-says-sp-reconsidering-us-credit-downgrade/