State of the Union
4/7/18
"Never Let a Crisis Go To Waste"
Now that one of our major political parties has proven itself irresponsible—stuck, it seems, at the maturity level of a love-struck teen-ager—and incapable of participating as adults in the serious business of governing, it’s time to take stock. Obviously, our system, as it has evolved in recent years, isn’t working.
After an air-wave sucking, clamorous campaign, we elected a presidential candidate so self-absorbed and rash that he threatens the global economy, destabilizes international politics, and deals with world leaders with all the grace of a gaseous donkey. His destructive impact on domestic issues—social justice, income inequality, the environment, industry, civility (I could go on)—is nothing short of astounding. Dervish-like, he twirls from one position to its polar opposite, apparently oblivious to his own contradictions. How did we get here? The easy answer is … the Republicans brought us. But while they drove this careening bandwagon on the last leg of the journey, they’re not the only culprits. Here are some other conributors:
Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind. --Albert Einstein Liberty is the right to discipline ourselves in order not to be disciplined by others. --Clemenceau |
All that having been said, let’s look at the most immediate and telling culprits: politicians in the GOP. I recognize the hazards of painting a multi-member group with the same dark brush, but in general what we have is this: A political party represented by legislators, many of whom …
They fear Trump and the specter of those voters who will support him, no matter what looney-tune path he takes. In their cowardice, these hapless Republicans seem only dimly aware that they’re probably damned if they support him and damned if they don’t. Under the circumstances, we can only wonder why they don’t confront their unhinged leader. “Frailty, thy name is GOP.” (Apologies to Shakespeare.) Rahm Emmanuel, President Obama’s first chief of staff, once famously said, “Never let a crisis go to waste,” or words to that effect. With a stymied Congress, an unhinged president, an executive branch devoid of personnel in dozens of key positions (what? no ambassadors to South Korea? Egypt? Jordan? South Africa?), and a Supreme Court inclined to tilt backwards, we have a crisis on our hands. ________________________________________________________
Speak your piece: How can this crisis yield some positive outcomes?Use the contact form on Your Turn under Readers Write to submit your thoughts. ________________________________________________________ |
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