Our current Legislative
Branch of Government behavior reminds me of similar behavior experienced by the
Harry Truman, legislature during his presidency. His legislature as well
as the Senate was controlled by the Republican Party. Then and
now the Republican opposition was intended to defeat the President, and make
sure his presidency failed. The parallels are eerily similar!
In the Harry Truman example,
he became President upon the death of F.D. Roosevelt, in 1945. He was seen as
nothing more than a figurehead V.P. as FDR consumed all of the attention of the
presidency as well as the Democratic Party. The Republicans were both delighted
and like everyone else, concerned with whether President Truman was
capable of succeeding as President. Immediately the Republicans started
demonizing President Truman as a political hack, a product of the Kansas City
Pendergrast Political Apparatus, not very intelligent, and totally unsophisticated.
Other wise a hick and an empty suit. No pun intended, as President Truman was a
Haberdasher prior to entering politics. They deliberately decided to make sure
his Presidency failed, by doing nothing legislatively that would support his
initiatives. Their reasoning was that since he had only a coupe of years left
before elections, he would have a dismal record of accomplishments. Does
this sound familiar? This was also the Republican strategy to make Obama a one-term
President.
In both cases the strategy
backfired as Truman went on to defeat Thomas Dewey, well known Republican and
successful New York City Prosecutor. He was thought to be a shoe-in. Truman
catagorized the Republican as the “Do Nothing Congress” and took this message
to the people, which struck a cord as they reelected him. The polls, pundits and
press were aghast of this outcome. The Chicago Tribune printed an
election edition, declaring that Dewey was the winner, before the results were
official. Oops!
Truman went on to be one of
the most transformative Presidents in America’s History. He presided over
the defeat of Germany, Japan, and Korea. He had to make the one of the most
difficult decision a President has ever had to make , in approving the use of
the Atom Bomb to defeat Japan. He was later supported by most Americans, as it
was believed that by doing so, he saved several millions lives in forgoing
invading Japan. Truman enabled,
the establishment of the Marshall Plan, conceivably one of the most successful
stimulus programs in history as it brought Europe back from total destruction
of World War Two. The formation of N. A. T. O., creation
of Israel as a Sovereign Nation, Integration of the Armed Forces. Pretty
Impressive for a discounted Political hack from Kansas!!
As we know Obama experienced the
same Republican strategy during his first presidential term is office. It was
almost two years before Mitch McConnell the minority chairman of the
Senate. The McConnell narrative, explicitly
stated that was the Republican Party’s objective to make sure President Obama
would be a one-term president! Obstruction would be the weapon to marginalize
any and all of President’s initiatives. Even those who had been offered by
Republicans, like Truman - President Obama was reelected by even a larger
margin than his first term.
Given the state of today’s
technology, the Republicans have doubled down and began attacking Obama
personally as well as politically. There is nothing Obama can do, weather it
benefits its’ citizens or not is discredited. What is it about Obama that
illicit such hate and disrespect? Is it because he was dealt one of the
most formidable task that any president has had to deal with i.e., an
economy in free fall, an unpopular war, the abuse of unregulated practices in
agencies and institutions, economic apartheid (Haves and Have-not's?) Or was it
because he has taken on these challenges and done a remarkable job in
eliminating or moving them toward a positive outcome. i.e., With TARP saving
the banking industry, the automobile Industry, winding down the wars, creating
13 million jobs, reducing unemployment to 5%, record stock market highs, consumer
protection, etc.
Is this angst caused by the
President pursuing his promised objectives - which are frequently in conflict
with the long-standing neglected issues? i.e. Health care, the environment, climate
change, clean energy, diversity, a new protocol in engaging our allies as well
as our perceived enemies, investing in the physical as well as the educational
infrastructure of our country. All of these initiatives, are seen by
Obama, as necessary to poise our country to embrace the challenges of the
21st Century, and remain the greatest country in world.
Could this angst be because
Obama is not a knee jerk, shoot first, then aim person? (No Drama Obama) He
has a thoughtful process, which deals with the facts, not the heart, or
emotions. I know this is antithetical to the American psyche, that of
instant gratification and a need for visceral satisfaction. I.e., kick
ass? Which may or may not be a sustainable solution.
Could it be that this angst
is a result that Obama was born in Hawaii? Or maybe its his name, or maybe its
because he was educated at Harvard, or because he is handsome with a killer
smile, or is it because he is God-loving an a dedicated family man. Come on fess up which is it???
With Truman, back in the day
their angst was obvious, as were the reasons. Like Truman, President Obama
will be seen as a Trans formative President despite the current angst
and demonetization of his presidency. His legacy will show that he respected
the past, dealt with the present and looked out and planned for the
future. He recognized that the world was truly a village, his initiatives
reflects this phenomena.
What Obama's presidency warns
us that the paradigm of obstruction of the President and the office to
the presidency, by the opposing party because you don’t like the President
because of race, gender religion, class or whatever is a dangerous and destructive protocol
for serving the needs of this nation and its citizens. We have lost seven years
with this foolishness. We don’t have this luxury to allow our elected officials
to put their needs above in some cases, our nation, as well as ours. If
this situation does not motivate you to vote, then maybe this is the kind of
government you want. Remember that our vote is all we have to take away
our elected officials key to their paradise! Please vote even if our vote is
marginalized by special interest.
Like the Truman “Do Nothing
Congress” Our congress has a 13% rating. Obama’s at least in spite of the angst
has a slightly above 50% rating. It appears that he is governing for all of the
people. It represents the divisiveness that our country is saddled with.
By the way I think I know what really upset Obama haters. He is not only bright
and intelligent He is funny!!
President Obama is: faster
than the second guessing pundits, can bound tall congressional obstructions, and can see
through everything but Cable News!!
The next post will deal with,
round heels!
