Peggy Noonan, a former presidential speechwriter for Ronald Reagan, pens regular columns for the Wall Street Journal. In her latest, she states:
This [November's] election is more and more shaping up into a contest between the Exhausted and the Enraged.[2]
Amen . . . and Barack Obama and his Democrats know it. Their supporters are exhausted, disillusioned and demoralized; and many are angry at his policies such as the Afghan War.[3] His detractors and opponents are angry, livid, galvanized and motivated; and they consist of Republicans, Independents[4] and disenchanted Democrats, some of whom are part of the Tea Party movement.
The handwriting is on the wall—and the blood is in the water—that he is likely to be a one-term president. White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel is rumored to be leaving; and Obama brain truster David Axelrod will be too, probably sometime next year. Top economic adviser Larry Summers is departing; and the list goes on and on. While there is generally attrition in any White House staff because of the long hours and staggering workloads and pressures on families, these departures can be viewed as “rats leaving a sinking ship.”
Noonan cites Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee as saying prophetically:
The more [voters] know, the less they like Washington.
At long last, the light is shining through. The innate wisdom of the American people is in the process of being heard and felt.
When I left Capitol Hill after working there for three and a half years, there was one four-letter word that stood out in my mind, and it still does today: “S-I-C-K.” I vowed that neither of my kids would ever work there. I had seen raving narcissists and demagogues who were not nice people—and equaled or surpassed those in Hollywood where I had grown up.
I saw senators and congressman chasing and bedding female staffers between the ages of about 22-26, and wrecking their lives in the process. When the women reached about 28, they were considered “over the hill,” and a new batch of fresh young faces would replace them. I saw attractive young female staffers flock to the politicians like groupies are attracted to rock stars and other celebrities. I saw lobbyists providing women for sex to important committee chairmen.
I saw power trips that were way out of proportion to the actual power wielded. I saw senators and members of Congress pontificate on empty chamber floors, and pass legislation that often did not help anyone, but merely “congested” and “polluted” government for both the regulators and public alike. Laws were put on the books almost ceremoniously to display motion and activity, even if they were truly bad laws that made little or no good sense—and none were ever taken off the books. Programs were still being funded even though they had outlived their usefulness years if not decades before.
I saw lobbyists literally run Washington, because they had the skills and knowledge that the politicians did not have. House staffs were small unless the member had seniority. Hence, the input of lobbyists was essential to the passage of legislation. They wrote it; and they got it passed and their clients benefited; and somehow—by hook or by crook—the politicians benefited financially or in other ways. It was dirty, but those participating simply looked the other way.
In short, the American people, God love them, are waking up bigtime to the mess that is Washington, D.C.—a corrupt, politically-polarized toxic city. Throw in the present economic problems that this country has not experienced since the Great Depression, which will be with us through at least the end of this decade[5], as well as Obama’s no-win Afghan War and other national security worries[6], and he and his Democrats are potentially in for a very rough ride. Like Lyndon Johnson in 1968, it is doubtful whether Obama will be able to run in 2012, much less be reelected.[7]
Noonan cites the role of women in the coming election, and the fact they are worried about how the economy has been taking an enormous toll on their families, which will only get much much worse. She quotes Rep. Blackburn as saying: “I look at this year as the Rage of the Bill-Paying Moms.” Amen to that too . . . or as Sarah Palin calls them: the “Mama Grizzlies.” And most of us know that those who are wise never mess with a mother Grizzly.
The chickens are coming home to roost in America, at least economically and politically. Hold on tight. It is apt to get very ugly.[8]
© 2010, Timothy D. Naegele
[1] Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass). He practices law in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles with his firm, Timothy D. Naegele & Associates, which specializes in Banking and Financial Institutions Law, Internet Law, Litigation and other matters (see www.naegele.com and http://www.naegele.com/naegele_resume.html). He has an undergraduate degree in economics from UCLA, as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University. He is a member of the District of Columbia and California bars. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., http://www.naegele.com/whats_new.html#articles), and can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com
[2] See http://www.naegele.com/documents/TheEnragedvs.theExhausted.pdf
[3] See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/are-afghanistan-iraq-and-pakistan-hopeless-and-is-the-spread-of-radical-islam-inevitable-and-is-barack-obama-finished-as-americas-president and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/26/obama-in-afghanistan-doomed-from-the-start/
[4] See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-rise-of-independents/
[5] See, e.g., http://www.americanbanker.com/issues/173_212/-365185-1.html and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/the-great-depression-ii and http://www.realclearpolitics.com/news/tms/politics/2009/Apr/08/euphoria_or_the_obama_depression_.html and http://www.philstockworld.com/2009/10/11/greenspan%E2%80%99s-legacy-more-suffering-to-come/
[6] See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/19/emp-attack-only-30-million-americans-survive/
[7] See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/are-afghanistan-iraq-and-pakistan-hopeless-and-is-the-spread-of-radical-islam-inevitable-and-is-barack-obama-finished-as-americas-president/ and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/the-speech—is-barack-obama-smoking-pot-again/ and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/the-end-of-barack-obama/ and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/01/barack-obama-america’s-second-emperor/ and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/26/obama-in-afghanistan-doomed-from-the-start/ and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/
[8] The Washington Post’s Charles Krauthammer has fine article about the Tea Party movement and the likely tsunami that will engulf Obama and the Democrats, which is worth reading too. Among other things, he points out that in the bellwether state of Ohio, former President George W. Bush is preferred over Barack Obama by 50 percent to 42 percent.
See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/23/AR2010092304746.html and http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_OH_901.pdf
Obama’s Democrat Faithful Are Losing Hope, Which Spells Trouble
The National Journal is reporting:
See http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews_excl/ynews_excl_pl3712
Cracks in the support of the Obama faithful are emerging, which at the very least may create apathy in November, and as 2012 approaches. With the Republicans, Independents and Tea Partiers energized and moving against Obama, his agenda and the Democrat Party already, disenchanted Democrats may foreshadow deep and lasting problems for him.
Rahm Emanuel Leads Exodus Of Obama Aides From White House
The UK’s Independent has an article about this subject.
See http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/rahm-emanuel-leading-exodus-of-obama-aides-from-white-house-2089118.html
Sir,
This site is outstanding and your writing lucid, even with unlovely subjects. I look forward to learning more about you and your topics.
Katherine
Thank you, Katherine. How nice of you to say that.
Sir,
I had read you in between the demands of homework supervision, runs to Tae Kwon Do, and the creation of taco night.
I’ve now had time to read more, see your education and accomplishments, and I blush to think I had the temerity to call your writing lucid.
This site is like a treasure trove, and it seems to me a source of deep wisdom.
Thank you,
Katherine
Thank you again, Katherine. You are very kind.
I believe that most of the dysfunction in Washington is due to the rise of careerism in politics – a problem the Founding Fathers never imagined.
The first priority of every career politician seems to be fund raising for re-election, since the candidate with the biggest war chest usually wins. The cost of campaigning for a Congressional seat has escalated tremendously, mainly because of the high cost of television ads. Serving the constituency is a distant second priority to coddling corporate contributions and attending fund-raisers.
I grow more and more cynical with age, I guess. But I now believe that all career politicians are self-serving opportunists whose basic ethic is ambition.
Thank you, Tom, for your comments.
Many of our Founding Fathers were “career politicians” too. For example, you might wish to read the “Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson,” which describes his extraordinary life through his letters and the letters of others, lovingly assembled and edited by his great-granddaughter. While he did not always aspire to be a professional politician, the demands of America kept drawing him back to government service.
See, e.g., http://www.amazon.com/review/R151AWYWI4HEVW/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
Yes, I agree with you: the costs of elections have escalated; and many politicians at the federal level spend much of their time just trying to raise money, which obviously influences their decisions. I have often said that the lobbyists “run” Washington, and they do.
Lastly, many career politicians at the federal level are narcissists, and their actions are consistent with that.
It Wasn’t The Fight Webb Dreaded; It Was The Prospect Of Another Victory—And Having To Spend Another Six-Year Term In The U.S. Senate
This is a political assessment of why Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) decided not to run for reelection. Having worked in the Senate for three and a half years, and having dealt with the Senate for many years after that, I understand.
Senators only have two basic duties: (1) make speeches, and (2) try to enact legislation. The speeches get tired after a while, very tiresome; and legislation is enacted, but seldom (if ever) is it taken off the books—long after it has outlived its usefulness.
Aside from that, senators have larger staffs than members of the House; however, the need to engage in fundraising to pay for vastly more expensive campaigns is almost endless. Many of them are forced to raise money year around, and it is not a lot of fun. I have helped raise money for Senate and House campaigns, and donated to them as well.
Lastly, as the article points out:
See http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-10/jim-webbs-senate-career-ends-peter-j-boyer-on-the-real-reason/
Former Aide To Sen. John Ensign Indicted By Feds
USA Today has reported:
See http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/03/john-ensign-affair-senate-criminal-charges-/1
How outrageous is this! Ensign beds his aide’s wife, and the aide gets indicted while Ensign gets off scot free. This is how Washington works—which is among the many reasons why its “sickness” knows no bounds.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington is correct that it is an “outrage.”
Dear Sir – I was directed here by the Daily Mail. I thank you so much for spotlighting this plague. No, I am not some raging teabagger, but a young, pretty cool female in her 20′s working in LA, who spent a semester in DC and was sickened by what I saw.
I actually lived with my (now ex) boyfriend for the 3 months I was there. We basically broke up because he changed from being a moralistic, altruistic, wonderful guy (he’s originally from North Carolina), into a chidlish, hormonal womanising a-hole (sorry to curse) and when I confronted him, told me that the *very prominent* congressman he worked for basically encouraged all his male staff to “think Clinton” and “go out there and get as much a** as possible”. Those were the exact words he used. I also witnessed many of the same situations you described above; and most of my peers, in one way or another, succumbed to the pressures of the older guys they were working for. I was fortunate enough to work for a really great lobbying group, staffed mostly by females.
Again, I’m not a prude – I was just hoping to get a little mileage out of the MPA I worked hard to achieve before heading back home. I’ve been pretty scarred by the sodom and gomorrah style happenings I witnessed and I just hope to God that something can be done about all of this soon, before we become the laughing stock of the world (like we’re not already!).
Best wishes, thank you for your blog and I respect your intelligence and wisdom.
-Liz
Thank you, Liz, for your thoughtful and very important comments. I appreciate them greatly.
First, I am sorry that you experienced what you did. It never should have happened, period.
Second, what happens to young women on Capitol Hill should not occur at all. As stated in my article above:
Third, I am glad that you “survived” intact. I am only sorry that “most of [your] peers, in one way or another, succumbed to the pressures of the older guys they were working for.” My concern is that such experiences will scar them for life, because I have seen it happen to others. The women are used, abused, rejected and scarred.
Fourth, you ask how to prevent it, which is the key question. The only way, in my judgment, is to “tar and feather” the perpetrators, such as Congressman Anthony Weiner. He should be forced to resign from the Congress; and he should be indicted and serve time in prison. He has admitted what he has done, at least partially; however, much more will come out, I am sure—unless it is hidden from public view.
See, e.g., http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2000462/Anthony-Weiners-toe-curling-1996-interview-Cosmopolitan-revealed.html and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2000004/Anthony-Weiner-Twitter-crotch-shot-student-Gennette-Cordova-denies-affair.html and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1395011/Megan-Broussard-reveals-Anthony-Weiner-pursued-Facebook.html and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1395043/Sextee-1-The-40-year-old-Las-Vegas-blackjack-dealer-Anthony-Weiner-sent-explicit-messages-NINE-MONTHS.html and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1395041/Anthony-Weiner-Shamed-congressman-clings-opposition-calls-resignation.html and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2000386/Anthony-Weiner-scandal-2-women-claim-used-Capitol-assets-sexting.html and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1395049/Anthony-Weiner-Scandal-finally-overcomes-Weiners-wife-stand–NOT-humiliating-confession.html and http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/can_afford_to_quit_the_dc_day_job_bW10b5FRwsvEJxDTyi7MYI and http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304259304576378321851043768.html
Weiner’s actions must not be swept under the rug, as his colleagues on Capitol Hill may be prone to do. Only by criminalizing his conduct—and that of others—will it come to an end. Where are the women’s rights groups that should be calling for tough action against Weiner, and an end to such deplorable conduct? Their silence is deafening.
Fifth, “Weinergate” must be brought to a screeching halt. Like so many other spouses of our elected officials on Capitol Hill—and other powerful people in Washington—Weiner’s wife Huma Abedin is a victim too. However, lots of them know exactly what is happening, and they strike a “bargain with the Devil” because there are perks that come with power. Hillary Clinton made such a bargain; and it is somewhat surprising that such people can live with themselves.
See, e.g., http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304432304576372081387279732.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond#articleTabs%3Darticle (“A Private Life, Tested”)
Sixth, it is small wonder that such conduct continues when apologists abound. For example, one commenter has written:
Sad, and very tragic. Acceptance of the “sickness” in Washington—and Hollywood, and elsewhere in the world—will never change the culture.
Seventh, another commenter has written:
I understand such feelings; however, Americans like this one need to realize that our elected officials such as Weiner—and others in positions of power globally, who misuse their power—”kill” the human spirit, confidence and well-being of their “victims,” just as surely as if they had been killed physically. I have seen it happen. Such problems have been allowed to fester far too long already; and action is needed now, not just in the United States but in other countries where it takes place on a daily basis.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/28/human-trafficking/ (“Human Trafficking”) (see also the footnotes and comments beneath the article) and http://www.economist.com/node/18805463
Lastly, hang in there. There are nice and principled people in Washington too, and many of them are my friends.
Thank you Sir. The Anthony Weiner saga has left me feeling sick to my stomach, I don’t care that this guy has nothing to fall back on. He can take out student loans, go back to grad school and try and spend the rest of his life trying to eek out some admirable qualities to make up for his total hubris.
Enjoying your column.
Best
Liz
Thank you again, Liz, for your comments.
Yes, I agree completely. By exposing Weiner, and making him pay with his career, it will send a message loud and clear to others in Congress—and elsewhere in Washington, Hollywood, and other centers and positions of power—that enough is enough. The chickens are coming home to roost.
Unless this is done, the “sickness” will continue and never end. I have seen it, you have, and concrete steps must be taken now to prevent it from happening in the future.
. . .
As I have said before, there are lots of nice and principled people in Washington too. Indeed, having worked on Capitol Hill and with those on Capitol Hill for many years, I would be remiss if I did not add that there are many fine and wonderful people working there. They are not like Weiner, but come to work each and every day and try to make this country better. They are idealistic and very talented—some of the brightest and most dedicated people in politics today, and in this country, from both political parties and other political persuasions (e.g., Independents)—and they are not caught up in this “sickness.”
Those who are “sick” need to be rooted out. This is why it is so important to make Weiner a “poster boy” for these issues, and force him to resign.
. . .
Again, hang in there, Liz, and keep the faith.
The American Political System Is Wonderful
The American people are wiser than they are given credit for—certainly by those people in other countries—and our political system works more brilliantly than most people believe it does.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/america-a-rich-tapestry-of-life/ (“America: A Rich Tapestry Of Life”) (see also the footnotes and comments beneath the article)
We elected Barack Obama, whom lots of Americans hate today; and before him, we elected George W. Bush whom people hated too. He was preceded by Bill Clinton, whom people tried to impeach and remove from the presidency. Lyndon Johnson was hated too, and he was followed by Richard Nixon who was hated and forced to resign.
Clearly, our political system has “checks and balances,” and we elect presidents and then throw them out of office. Lyndon Johnson could not run for reelection; and it is not inconceivable that the same thing might happen to Barack Obama between now and next year’s elections.
We veer from conservatism to liberalism, and then back again. Reaganism was followed by Bill Clinton’s liberalism, which was followed by George W. Bush’s conservatism . . . and then by Obama’s liberalism.
MSNBC has reported:
See http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43385259/ns/today-today_news; see also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/washington-is-sick-and-the-american-people-know-it/#comment-1635 and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/washington-is-sick-and-the-american-people-know-it/#comment-1636 and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/washington-is-sick-and-the-american-people-know-it/#comment-1643 and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/washington-is-sick-and-the-american-people-know-it/#comment-1644
As with this issue and so many others, Obama is America’s “Hamlet” on the Potomac. He is betwixt and between, unable to do what is right. He should be calling for Weiner’s immediate resignation in no uncertain terms on moral grounds, just as Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer—the Democrats’ No. 1 and 2 leaders in the House—and other party leaders have done.
See, e.g., http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2003475/Anthony-Weiner-fate-decided-Democrats-Huma-Abedin-flies-in.html (“‘You MUST go’: Pelosi repeats calls for Weiner’s resignation as wife flies in to confront errant husband”)
Instead, Obama equivocates. We can only assume that if he finds himself in a comparable or similar situation, he will do the honorable thing and resign like Richard Nixon did. Indeed, at some point in the future, he may be tested. Also, there is the possibility that Obama might not run for reelection, just as Lyndon Johnson decided during the Vietnam War.
Obama is in the midst of four wars, and an economic depression; and it is not beyond the pale to believe that he is reviewing internal polling that paints a bleak picture of the campaign ahead—or other factors might influence his decision not to run. If so, he will likely retreat to either Chicago or Hawaii prior to January of 2013, to write his memoirs and work full time on his golf scores and presidential library.
See, e.g., http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Analysis/de-Borchgrave/2011/06/13/Commentary-Half-pregnant-strategy/UPI-97361307964099/ (“Today, President Obama has got the United States involved in four wars: Afghanistan, Iraq (where U.S. troops are still being killed), Libya and Yemen (where the confusion of a civil war gave U.S. drones open skies to target al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula)”) and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1637 (“CNN Poll: Obama Approval Rating Drops As Fears Of Depression Rise”)
Indeed, the Associated Press has reported:
See http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110614/ap_on_re_us/us_obama_family_1 (“Obama: My family would be fine with just 1 term”)
Stay tuned, as the American saga continues . . .
46 Percent Of Likely U.S. Voters View Most Members Of Congress As Corrupt, And Obama Is Fading
Bravo! The American people are wiser than our politicians give them credit for being. When this number becomes closer to 100 percent, their collective wisdom will know no bounds!
The highly-respected Rasmussen polling organization has found:
See http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/july_2011/new_high_46_think_most_in_congress_are_corrupt (emphasis added)
Also, Barack Obama’s popularity has been plummeting, which reflects wisdom on the part of the American people too. He is an unmitigated disaster, a raving narcissist and demagogue, America’s “Hamlet on the Potomac” and “Jimmy Carter-lite,” who will not be reelected. He is perhaps the most arrogant, corrupt president of our lifetimes; and this country cannot endure four more years of his presidency or the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate.
See, http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1740 (“Obama’s Support Crumbles”) (see also the article itself, as well as the footnotes and other comments beneath it); see also http://people-press.org/2011/07/28/obama-loses-ground-in-2012-reelection-bid/ (Pew Poll: Obama Blows Huge Lead; Independent Voters Abandon Him) and http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/07/28/african-american-middle-class-eroding-as-unemployment-rate-soars/?test=latestnews (“African-American Middle Class Eroding As Unemployment Rate Soars”—”It’s the Great Depression”) and http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/jul/01/vice-president-joe-biden-visits-las-vegas-looking-/ (“A Magellan poll . . . showed 53 percent of Nevadans were unhappy with Obama’s tenure so far”)
. . .
Last but by no means least, Nancy Pelosi—who as the House Speaker was responsible for enacting Barack Obama’s wasteful so-called “Stimulus Package” that drove up this nation’s debt, which is why there is a debt crisis today, and was responsible for enacting ObamaCare too, which is an “Obamination” of the worst magnitude—had the supreme gall to state:
See http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/pelosis-reactionary-liberalism_577709.html
Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Obama are the “poster children” for what is wrong with America today.
Serving On A Board Of Directors Can Be A Thankless And Brutal Experience
USA Today has reported about the political infighting and rifts within the board of directors at the acclaimed Betty Ford Center for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction in Rancho Mirage, California.
The former First Lady’s daughter was ousted from her leadership position with the board, and resigned entirely; financial support has stopped from some of the Center’s long-time contributors; the former First Lady’s wishes for the Center’s future are being disputed; and chaos seems to be engulfing the organization as its competitors broaden their reach geographically, and as the national economy falters. None of this bodes well for the Center’s future.
See http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-08-14-betty-ford-treatment-center-funding_n.htm and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/the-economic-tsunami-continues-its-relentless-and-unforgiving-advance-globally/ (see also the footnotes and comments beneath the article)
Having served on several boards of directors, I vowed that I would never serve on another one. The “cat-fighting” and internal politics often make the most Machiavellian politics of Washington, D.C. seem like child’s play.
Egos and factions and power grabs seem to be the norm. Indeed, often the boards members are more interested in their power and positions, and the perks of being board members, than they are in advancing the worthy goals of the organization.
Many of us have found that it is a thankless job. More importantly, for those who serve on the boards of financial institutions and other large organizations, legal liability can attach to their decisions; and this alone can be brutal unless there are Directors and Officers Liability Insurance (“D&O”) policies in place that provide adequate coverage against costly litigation.
If asked today by a client about serving on a board, my gut reaction would be “no, don’t do it,” which is sad.
When A Giant Named Senator Bill Walked Through Washington
Having “trashed” our great nation’s capital and its politicians in the article above, and in many other writings that appear at this blog, I found it refreshing to reread what I wrote in January of 2006, as a tribute to former U.S. Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin. The article is not important because I wrote it, but rather because of the man whom it described.
I believe its contents are important enough to be read and reread by those who are interested in American government and politics at their best, devoid of the anger and hatreds that seem to dominate and mar public discourse today. Proxmire stood out, and he was special in an age when most politicians “blend in” or disappear, or are remembered for their rancor or petty partisan ways.
A few brief excerpts are worth mentioning, which hopefully will entice you to read more:
See http://www.naegele.com/documents/AGiantHasLeftUs.pdf; see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Proxmire and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/washington-is-sick-and-the-american-people-know-it/ and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-rise-of-independents/
Lastly, to be totally accurate, Senator Bill seldom “walked through Washington.” He literally jogged to work, and was always on the move.
You hit the nail right on the head perfectly with this piece. Here’s hoping you will take up the discussion of how we can draft individuals like Senator Bill into the political arena, and save our country before Obama wins another term.
Thank you, Jack, for your comments.
First, I do not believe Obama will be reelected. The handwriting is on the wall . . . unless the GOP blows next year’s elections, like it did the lame duck session of Congress last year.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-1801 (“Obama Sinks To New Lows”) (see also the article itself, as well as the footnotes and other comments beneath it)
Second, Bill Proxmire was a rare human being. However, there are other people like him out there. Some have been turned off by the system, but others will decide to run, and get elected, and serve their country. I might name some new names in the Congress, but I will refrain from doing so, because they have not been “tested” yet.
I like this blog, because you say what you really believe. It is rare in today’s newspaper articles. I thought I’d join one just to make comments, but soon discovered that you can’t say anything in the least bit rude, or they will not post your comments. I didn’t do anything worse than our government has, but I’m learning that freedom of speech is pretty much gone in this day and time.
Thank you, Vickie, for your kind and thoughtful comments.
Yes, of course you are correct. Indeed, the Wall Street Journal is a prime example of such practices. If one does not hew to its “party line,” one’s comments are eradicated.
Freedom of speech is wonderful, and I salute you.
When Will Obama Fall?
In an article entitled, “With Plea Deal, Jesse Jackson Jr.’s Fall From Grace Seems Complete,” Newsweek‘s John Avlon writes:
See http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/08/with-plea-deal-jesse-jackson-jr-s-fall-from-grace-seems-complete.html; see also http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/barack-obama-is-a-lame-duck-president-who-will-not-be-reelected/#comment-2315 (“Will Obama ‘Unravel’ Like Nixon Did?”) and http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/washington-is-sick-and-the-american-people-know-it/ (“Washington Is Sick And The American People Know It”)
Barack Obama is an integral part of the same corrupt Chicago culture.
See, e.g., http://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/
When will the Obama “swamp” be drained, and how complete will be his fall from grace?