Please allow me to express my utter elation upon reading the news tonight and seeing how Blagojevich was ousted in an unprecedented unanimous decision by the Illinois State Senate. It was such a relief to see those senators come together to stand up against corruption at its worst. But this certainly wasn’t the biggest news of the week. In another unprecedented event, House Republicans somehow managed to grow a backbone this week. House Republicans voted unanimously against giving Obama the $819 billion package he is requesting. The nay vote even attracted eleven democrats. The president seems to have missed out on the 100 day honeymoon most presidents are given.
Depending on your viewpoint, you can either see this as a victory for President Obama or a failure. I choose to see this as an Obama failure based on his lack of bipartisan support. Republicans have not stood so strong on any particular issue in quite sometime or at least not on any meaningful issues. This is an event that Republicans failed to accomplish while they had a majority and a somewhat Republican president for eight years. Perhaps it just takes a little political opposition and a few humiliating losses to bring the party together.
However, a few questions still remain. Was this past election the final blow it would take for Republicans to turn themselves around? Are they finally ready to define their values and then actually stick to them? Could they possibly be ready to pull their heads out of the litter box and bring back the art of debate to the congressional floors? The very partisan voting in the House seems to point in these directions. Perhaps Republicans are ready to stop acting like the spineless pushover wimps they have become and begin to show the leadership required to win an election and get something conservative accomplished.
Unfortunately, Conservatives are going to be fighting an uphill battle for a minimum of two years and perhaps and more likely longer than that. They have dug such a hole for themselves that climbing out will be quite difficult. Over the next two years, Republicans are going to have to show the American public they are actually different from their Democrat counterparts. This stand against the pork ridden bailout plan is only a start. Congressional Republicans are going to have to stick together on future issues as well. This type of united front will be what it takes to show the public they are finally ready to step into the spotlight and out of the shadows. The next test will be for Republican senators to show they are also ready to stand united.
Are You Ready to Rumble…Nervously?
2 days ago
As a person who has voted in eight presidential elections and had child’s view of the democratic political machine, I am displeased with the republican. However, let me say to you “this to will pass,” just as past presidents have come and gone, so will the current one. I believe we need to focus more attention on removing all incumbent members of congress, throw them out and start with some fresh minds. In addition, we should replace the entrenched members in the state department, whom have more influence on foreign policy.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could the person who unites your generation to rise above the partisan garbage that we must consume.
A very eloquent and well spoken summary of our political mire. This may be the second Obama failure in my opinion, the first being to suggest a plan to give back minimal amounts on Social Security. It benefits the individuals little, but takes a few more billion dollars from the governmental pocket. Oh, and it kills Social Security faster too. But that's a mixed blessing.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Impacting Individuals on the congressional tenure issue--the president is limited to 2 terms; members of congress should be as well. I might be willing to go as high as 3 terms, but it shouldn't be a lifetime gig.
ReplyDeleteI think you need to articulate what those "core republican values" are. As a former supporter of the party, I switched sides due to the far right's influence over the economic moderates. And I don't think I'm alone. What you need to do is 1) dig a very large hole. 2) through Rush and company in said large hole. 3) throw Palin in there too 4) identify young talent who can run for a national election without going through the ridiculous transformation that McCain had to endure to win the nomination.
Republicans need to become the fiscal conservatives this country needs. Enough of the Republicans adding their own earmarks to bills. They can’t criticize the Democratic Party about pork barrel spending until they themselves can restrain from doing so. This stimulus package that is loaded with earmarks is a perfect start for the GOP. If only they could stick together against things like this more often (highly doubtful).
ReplyDeleteThe GOP needs to stand strong on security issues. It may not have been in the news too much recently, but securing our borders and finding a solution to the illegal aliens already here, other than amnesty, should be a focus for the GOP. This is an issue that McCain had to clean up while running for president. An issue he failed to rally his base too.
My personal favorite for the time being would be Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana as our next presidential nominee. Besides this, I would like to see more fresh blood coming up in the party. There are way too many senior senators and representatives that need to leave office. I am all for term limits. These people should not be given life time jobs because they have made contacts and can raise ungodly funds for every reelection.