This political season is no different from any other. Some Democrats and Republicans support their candidates no matter what. So-called “independents” proclaim sanctimonious superiority and feign a false air of neutrality, mostly avoiding the political process then complaining all they have to choose from is the lesser of two evils. The reality is politicians are the result of the system we the voters have created. For all the double talk about the “undue influence” of money in politics and our dissatisfaction with the electoral process, the truth is our national apathy or blind partisan allegiance has created a crisis of leadership that is harming our country.
We are weeks away from our next election, and all around us is confusion and a citizenry expressing fear, brought on by a lack of confidence in their government. Neither political party is immune from this national melancholy, but as we prepare for the turbulent rhythm of another wave election, it would appear those who will vote will hold most incumbents responsible, which in this cycle favors the Republican Party. Some incumbents deserve to be turned out, while some candidates are no more deserving of taking their opponent’s place. As we deal with the Ebola threat, the rise of ISIS, economic turmoil in America and Europe, voters must determine who is best to handle these situations. The task is ours as citizens, to not only vote wisely, but to hold those elected accountable.
President Obama is no more to blame for the Ebola crisis than President Bush was to blame for Hurricane Katrina. Some Democrats will applaud the first part of my statement, while dismissing the second part. Likewise, some Republicans will refute my absolution of Obama, while concurring with my declaration regarding Bush. That is not to say either president could not have handled each crisis better, but as usual, politics played the bigger role in defining each president’s handling of them as well as other problems that arose during their administrations.
The rise of ISIS is the making of many policies long before George W. Bush and does not rest solely with Obama. Yet the crisis is with us now, and as commander-in-chief Obama is tasked with a resolution that is in the best interests of our country. It is not Obama’s alone to handle, yet his reluctance to listen to his military advisors and his failure to put politics aside exacerbated the ISIS situation. Many in his party are not holding him accountable in the same way they held President Bush.
Some politicians see the Ebola crisis and ISIS conflict as an opportunity to “exploit” this election season, just as some politicians played the same game during the Iraqi and Afghanistan conflicts and Hurricane Katrina. There are plenty of partisans eager to debate me on why Bush was wrong, and Obama was right (or vice versa), but the conversation would be too much like a dog chasing his tail. Only we voters can separate fact from fiction, and break the cycle that some politicians would love to see us remain in.
President Obama has played reckless with reality, and handled almost everything placed before him in a political fashion. He looks at Election Day as an obstacle to his polices, and members of his own party have done everything than can to distance themselves from the president. Obama either lacks faith in the voters or knows some of his policies would have a negative impact on the election. Delay until after the election is this president’s modus operandi, as he did with Obamacare and downplaying of Benghazi, fearing both would hurt him in the 2012 election.
The negative aspects of Obamacare are almost all delayed until after 2014 elections (by design), allowing the 2015 cost to remain hidden until after the 2014 midterms (along with other off-putting elements). The Bergdahl report was delayed until after the 2014 election. Immigration (by executive action), which Obama threatened to enact this summer, was delayed until after the 2014 election. The appointment to replace Attorney General Holder was delayed until after the 2014 election. Dealing with ISIS in a more forceful manner, will most likely be delayed until after the 2014 midterms, if the situation does not escalate to absolute pandemonium.
Politicians will never change so long as we permit them to act as they do. I have made no secret about the fact I know President Obama has been a poor leader, but he has been propped up by a complacent media and by partners such as Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Congresswomen Carol Shea-Porter and Ann McClane Kuster. Obama is not on the ballot this election, but his failed policies are. The same failed policies Shaheen, Shea-Porter and Kuster all supported. Obama has not been held accountable, in large part because those three have failed us as New Hampshire representatives. Obama is not on the ballot this year, but his enablers are.
