[I love the commentaries that Ed Stein provides to go with his excellent comics:]
I wonder if the sour, off-key comments by House Speaker-to-be John Boehner and still Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell after the election might have given the voters who placed renewed confidence in the Republican Party buyer’s remorse. Boehner gave no indication whatsoever that he was willing to work with Democrats, and McConnell repeated his claim that his agenda for the next two years is to defeat Obama. Wait. I thought solving America’s problems -– like creating jobs and ending this prolonged slump -– might be closer to the top of the list.
I can’t help thinking back to a time when American political leaders had big dreams, and audacious plans. No, we didn’t eliminate poverty or drugs or cancer or terrorism, but we had presidents who tried, who created Medicare and Social Security, who built the interstate highway system, cleaned up our air and water, and we had Congresses that worked with them to make this country the wonder of the world. Now we have permanent campaigns waged by politicos who dream only of taking power. The party of “No” won this round, and its agenda for America’s future? Consolidate power. By continuing to prevent any progress on any front that a Democratic president might be able to claim credit for.
7 Comments
Of all of the wars shown in the cartoon, the war on Obama seems to be the only one poised to actually achieve what it was started to do. In the other cases, each of the problems was actually made worse over time.
I think it’s interesting that, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, things like the “War on Terror” have been touted as successes by contemporary right-wing ideologues. They’ll say “we haven’t been attacked since 9/11, so our policies are working.” If you look at this list, you’ll notice a sharp increase in attacks by terrorist organizations since 9/11 worldwide and specifically against U.S. targets overseas.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0001454.html
Jeff – I’d have to say the war on cancer is making progress.
As for the overseas targets you’re probably right as we rely on host nation security and intel along with much smaller resources of our own. I believe if BinLaden could attack us he would, he’s too arrogant and likes the publicity. He also would use an attack on US soil for recuiting and funding along with proselytizing that his jihad is working.
The public doesn’t know how many attacks have been discovered and thwarted by our government since 911. The public/media only hears about the ones that get an almost completed status. Trust me there are many and your gov’t (non-partisan) is doing a good job given the enormity of the task. I would say better then any other country on earth, at this point.
“The War on Terror” is just a PR name for what the government would already have been doing. It’s a way of selling the idea that they’re stepping up activities and making it palatable by giving it a simple name. Like “The Patriot Act.”
There’s going to be good and bad that comes from it. Judging whether there’s been more good than bad or more bad than good would be an exhaustive undertaking as it’s difficult to quantify things like safety in regards to “what might have otherwise been.”
History will ultimately be the decider, I think. The ancient history of the future, that is.
as far as the actual post goes (I don’t know how we get sidetracked)….
I agree IK, we as a nation have accomplished many incredible things. Lets also not forget that the American people give more money to charity than any gov on earth. Without a single shot we won the cold war (it cost us in deficit though). We’ve landed on the moon with essentially a middle school calculator and a slide rule and returned safely. We created nuclear energy without a real computer before many people who post to this site were born. Yes indeed, we are incredible.
On the politics it goes both ways. Mcconnel needs to go, he’s as much a dinosaur as Reid. Both are a hindrance to their party. Give Boehner a chance. He is true to his word if nothing else and is 1 of very few current polticians who has never requested and earmark (hard to believe after more then 20 years in congress), because he believes it to be wrong. As such, he answers to less special interest groups seeking gov money for political contributions. He will however vote what he believes his constituents want and tell people straight up what he thinks.
Patriotsgt, I agree completely that we live in the best country in the world. We have done more for our fellow man than any other country, often in cases where we receive no benefit in return. You’re right that we live in a country that has been at the forefront of technological and scientific innovations for decades, has changed the course of history, and that has done its best to bring peace to the world.
The problem is that our leaders seem to have strayed from this idea of America. We may be the most giving nation in the world, but not to our own citizens. We might bring countless third-world countries to the global stage, but can’t solve our own problems with poverty, failing health, and corporate interests influencing our laws. We live in a wonderful country that’s lost its way, but I believe we can get it back.
What about the War on Education, Science and Reason?? Don’t see that one up there but I’d place laying the groundwork for this War under Reagan and the Surge under Bush II.
The successes of this War contribute, I’m sure, to the sense of unease many of have for the continued health and greatness of our nation.
Happy Birthday USMC!!
Cancer rates, both incidence and death, have not changed in a hundred years. Indeed, the incidence of cancer has increased. Curing cancer is definitely the Holy Grail of medicine and has been since the early 20th century. But the statistics show that nothing has really changed.