Politics in the United States is much more than an art. "Politics is all local" or so said Tip O'Neill, former Speaker of the House of Representatives under President Ronald Reagan. Well, I see Politics in the 21st Century as being more of a class struggle rather than just the typical power struggle of the last two or three centuries in the United States. The old adage "Power Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely" is relevant to this essay. In addition do not forget the "Golden Rule", those that have the "Gold Rule". Now that I have "waxed philosopically", let us analyze these two very sage proverbs. By way of a "quick and dirty" review of the George W. Bush #43 Administration, one can see that intrigue, power, lack of intellect, total disinterest in unintended consequences and corrupt influence ultimately sowed the seeds for our Nation now needing a transfusion of leadership like never before. This scribe can remember Dwight David Eisenhower as President, specifically the 1956 Presidential election. Eisenhower was an expert administrator, having held together the sensitive ego's of those in power during World War ll to ultimately defeat the Axis Powers. Eisenhower was a centrist Republican and a President I rank as one of the best 5 or 6 our nation has had in that job. George W. Bush, was no Dwight David Eisenhower, not even smart enough to have been his valet. Now we have a series of crises that have the potential to shake our nation off the pedestal we all thought was invincible. President Barack Obama helped convince this one time Eisenhower Republican to vote Democrat. Barack Obama does not and will not have all the answers. What our nation needs desparately is leadership and constant reenforcement that we can overcome our current situation. Barack Obama has the capacity to lead our Nation and be the type of Leader/Administrator that Eisenhower was in the 1950's. Bipartianship is a word that is spoken as if it were truly a daily happening. It is not so far from the reality of politics to the reality of the halls of power, both Republican & Democrat, that the needs of the people become secondary to the needs of those that see their individual power as being more important than solving the problems of the electorate. President Obama cannot wave a wand and make everything better. However, President Obama can promulgate a course of action for our nation that will over a period of years at the very least begin the process of fixing our Economy and Healthcare and maybe even the much revered Entitlement programs. To think that a Politician has a purpose in mind when he or she runs for elective office may in general terms be giving that individual too much credit. It is clear to me that George W. Bush had no sense of why he was running for President in 2000 or 2004. Maybe George W. Bush was simply following in lock step with his father, and grandfather, George H.W. Bush and Prescott Bush to enter politics. At least they were smarter. Maybe I am insulting George H.W. and Prescott. Most anyone is smarter than "W". Our Nation is currently struggling mightily dealing with a banking system, at the very least, in need of life support and citizens worried about where they will be working next. It is disappointing to see so many Republicans posturing for the 2012 election barely one month after President Barack Obama was inaugurated. The Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal, Republican needs to first help fix the conditons in his own backyard (Louisiana) before he looks to fix the problems in his neighbors backyard (our Nation). Then there is Governor Sanford from South Carolina. Each time I see this man speak so disingenuously about the stimulus plan and the point that he will not accept any money for South Carolina, I see the reason why the Republicans need to look inward. If this is what the Republicans want the electorate to see in 2010 and 2012 there will be more X-Republicans voting Democrat. The struggle is more "Class" than one would have ever thought. Those few Bankers that benefitted from giving mortgages to people that had no money, job or credit are the ones that should be made to acquit themselves and perform restitution to the Banks instead of the taxpayers giving billions that will ultimately add up to trillions. The art of Politics may never change. One may be doomed to repeat history if one does not know history. Similarly if one expects a different result by doing the same thing over and over then that indiviual or Political Party maybe doomed forever to failure. The Democrats must ensure that Leadership, wisdom, judgment and intellect reign supreme. The Republicans will then show themselves for what they truly are, lacking ideas, leadership and the courage to say another has the right idea.
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