Posted on 01/14/2016 5:03:22 AM PST by Kaslin
There are two ways to talk up bipartisanship. You can give the notion lip service. You can lament its loss in modern politics. You can lay the blame of partisan rancor on the times and not at your own clay feet. You can say, "It's one of the few regrets of my presidency -- that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better," as President Barack Obama shared in his State of the Union address Tuesday.
Believe me. I am sick and tired of criticizing the president. I miss the first term, when there were more areas of agreement. Obama's decision to focus immigration enforcement on undocumented people with serious criminal records was a smart compromise. I miss the president who increased troop levels in Afghanistan. I applauded when Obama signed the Fair Sentencing Act, a bipartisan measure that reformed the 100-1 sentencing disparity for crack offenses versus powder cocaine offenses.
It's hard to believe that Obama regrets the Beltway's partisan rancor when he spends an entire speech taking swipes at the GOP -- for being anti-change, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim -- but none at his own tribe. The president said he wants a bipartisan group to draw lines for congressional districts and work together to pass campaign finance reform. That translates into: I want Republicans to help pass bills that help Democrats.
At one point, Obama urged Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership legislation -- without so much as a nod to the GOP Senate, which in June passed a fast-track trade authority bill in truly bipartisan fashion; 13 Democrats voted yes, and five Republicans voted no. Likewise, no kudos for the GOP House. Why not point out instances when both sides worked together? This administration has only one posture -- the president leaning on the excuse that he never stood a chance because Republicans didn't want to work with him.
Then there is the other way to talk up bipartisanship. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley showed the way in a GOP response that chided both parties for Washington's dysfunction. "We need to be honest with each other and with ourselves," Haley said. "While Democrats in Washington bear much responsibility for the problems facing America today, they do not bear it alone. There is more than enough blame to go around. We as Republicans need to own that truth. ... We need to accept that we've played a role in how and why our government is broken. And then we need to fix it."
Haley took on GOP front-runner Donald Trump (not by name) when she cautioned against following "the siren call of the angriest voices." This daughter of Indian immigrants rejected the call to ban Muslims from entering the country indirectly when she said, "No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country."
Haley then recalled last year's awful shooting in Charleston's Mother Emanuel church, which left nine parishioners dead. South Carolinians chose to come together. In this election year, Haley noted, "some people think that you have to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference." When partisans turn down the volume, "the sound is quieter (and) you can actually hear what someone else is saying."
As for Obama, I don't know how he expects to shake hands if he's always pointing a finger.
Those who BROKE it are incapable of fixing it. That's the whole point of the uprising (yes, uprising - look at the total for Trump and Cruz combined).
This putz misses Obama's first term? What the hell planet is she from? The 'first' administration that gave us ObamaCare? That 'first' term? Geez, Honey.. get down off that no-partisan cross - somebody else needs the wood.
She’s an idiot
In case you haven’t noticed, she took on the GOP establishment, as well as the Democrats (including Trump).
Not the way I see it.
“”While Democrats in Washington bear much responsibility for the problems facing America today, they do not bear it alone. There is more than enough blame to go around. We as Republicans need to own that truth. ... We need to accept that we’ve played a role in how and why our government is broken.”
You neglect the other part of this missive: that the Rs need to be “inclusive”, “younger” and “reform” minded.
These are all code words for “I hate old white men”, “we NEED Muslims in this country” and “we NEED immigration reform (amnesty)”.....
I’m not buying one damn bit of this “owning” crap. I already said that those that broke it cannot fix it. She was supported by Palin to get elected and then immediately disavowed Palin’s impact. She’s not Tea Party; she’s not Conservative and she really isn’t what I call a Homeland American.
Because she’s the daughter of immigrants?
I’ll assume you’re questioning my reference to “Homeland” American and that you’re thinking you can peg me as an immigrant hater, huh?
For your edification, my definition of a “Homeland American” isn’t one that excludes any immigrant except those who are here illegally.
Further, my conception of “Homeland American” is one who isn’t a hyphenated American and wholly defined by that heritage they choose to wear as some kind of ‘victim of America’, its racism, xenophobia, what have you. When asked “what are you”, a Homeland American says “American” not some hyphenated concoction.
The Homeland American believes in assimilation and the sovereignty of this country and equal treatment for all, not special treatment because they are part of some victim group or hyphenated distinction. The Homeland American learns to speak ENGLISH, believes in the rule of law applied as intended, and the well-being of this country - not in how to change it ‘like the old country’.
A Homeland American puts this country first. He/she isn’t out to use our own founding instruments to destroy us through equivocation, pandering and preferential treatment over other Homeland Patriots not so lucky as to be ‘hyphenated’.
What did she say that leads you to exclude her from your definition of a “homeland American?”
You and I don’t have anything else to say to each other.
“You and I don’t have anything else to say to each other.”
I should (and will) celebrate that fact.
>> You and I don’t have anything else to say to each other.
OK, don’t answer him, but it was a good question so maybe you’ll answer me, “What did she say that leads you to exclude her from your definition of a ‘homeland American’?”
Okay.. you can be like him. Completely ignore the meat of my post 7 as to reasons she’s on my list like that and go straight for the perception that I’m anti-immigrant because I said “Homeland”. Go read it for yourself.
Everything would just be peachy keen if only the Republicans would allow the Democrats the progress they attempt.
So everything should be peachy keen.
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