The recent dust-up between Obama and the Republican party in Baltimore once again plays up the fact that our government representatives are not only at odds with the American public, but also with each other. Despite the fact that we have a two-party system of governance, there is a basic requirement that they must work together in order to get anything of importance done. More often than not, though, we wind up with a system stuck in first gear as our elected officials engage in ego-indulgence, greediness and downright unethical behavior in order to feather their own nests. This appears to be the state of affairs at present, and people are getting sick of it.
While the exchange between the President and GOP can certainly be considered healthy, no forward movement appears to have been achieved. Republicans keep repeating that they have the plan to save the day, all the while complaining about "deficits". Why the sudden concern over deficit spending? Republicans accused the Obama administration for getting us into this hole, but the facts don't uphold this view.
The two wars that were begun during a Republican administration have so far cost this country $1.05 trillion dollars, with little if any positive return. Combined, they cost approximately $150 billion each year. Certainly, Democrats voted in favor of these actions as well, but the fact is that the Republican party was in control at the time. And let's not forget who was at the helm during the lightning-fast creation and passage of the no-strings-attached financial industry bailout bill.
When it came to health care reform, the GOP actively obstructed any positive outcomes for taxpayers, while consistently handing health care and insurance industry lobbyists whatever they wanted. However, an AP article published late last year spotlighted how, in 2003, Republicans pushed through a Medicare expansion bill that was completely deficit-financed. This bill, which the Democrates opposed, has added tens of billions to the deficit, according to author Charles Babington. How does the GOP defend this? Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, was quoted as saying, "it was standard practice not to pay for anything," six years ago. Oympia Snowe, R-Maine, opined that "dredging up history is not the way to move forward." Well, history is our teacher, and if we can't learn from it, how exactly are we to "move forward"?
When people voted for Obama, they were voting for change. What they got was intransigence, sophomoric displays of ego and constant, tiresome sniping. Can Obama move the country past this stalemate? Time will tell.
While the exchange between the President and GOP can certainly be considered healthy, no forward movement appears to have been achieved. Republicans keep repeating that they have the plan to save the day, all the while complaining about "deficits". Why the sudden concern over deficit spending? Republicans accused the Obama administration for getting us into this hole, but the facts don't uphold this view.
The two wars that were begun during a Republican administration have so far cost this country $1.05 trillion dollars, with little if any positive return. Combined, they cost approximately $150 billion each year. Certainly, Democrats voted in favor of these actions as well, but the fact is that the Republican party was in control at the time. And let's not forget who was at the helm during the lightning-fast creation and passage of the no-strings-attached financial industry bailout bill.
When it came to health care reform, the GOP actively obstructed any positive outcomes for taxpayers, while consistently handing health care and insurance industry lobbyists whatever they wanted. However, an AP article published late last year spotlighted how, in 2003, Republicans pushed through a Medicare expansion bill that was completely deficit-financed. This bill, which the Democrates opposed, has added tens of billions to the deficit, according to author Charles Babington. How does the GOP defend this? Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, was quoted as saying, "it was standard practice not to pay for anything," six years ago. Oympia Snowe, R-Maine, opined that "dredging up history is not the way to move forward." Well, history is our teacher, and if we can't learn from it, how exactly are we to "move forward"?
When people voted for Obama, they were voting for change. What they got was intransigence, sophomoric displays of ego and constant, tiresome sniping. Can Obama move the country past this stalemate? Time will tell.
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