Once Upon A Time.....A Fairy Tale of American Democracy

[The Bare Knuckled Pundit]

Despite the cacophony and chaos that has become the hallmark of congressional town hall health care reform meetings as of late, the President has nonetheless elected to embark on a series of his own.

Filled with pride, his supporters dutifully tout his bravery in the face of flagging poll numbers and dogged opposition. They swoon at the sight of their champion riding off to battle the forces of fear and hysteria with his cool demeanor, soft-spoken logic and zen-like rationality. They point to the subdued and respectful tone of his audiences as evidence that the fury over health care has reached it's zenith and will soon subside. Logic and reason will win the day and their knight in shining armor will deliver peace to the land and health care to it's weary people.

However, a closer, more objective look reveals something distinctly different from the fairy tale the President's supporters so eagerly espouse with starry-eyed devotion.

Are the President's forums more civil and placid in comparison to their raucous congressional counterparts? Clearly, but one should remain mindful of a few facts.

First, despite our partisan passions and philosophical differences, the vast majority of Americans remain respectful of the institution and office of the presidency. Regardless of the individual, there is a level of decorum and propriety that is inherent to the office. He is The President of the United States, a title of unrivaled weight and distinction in both our political system and national history.

Furthermore, beyond these intangible elements and social customs, there is the very real and tangible presence of the highly-trained, well-armed and psychologically-intimidating Secret Service. Should someone be so bold and dim-witted as to attempt to get in the President's face and shout him down, they would quickly find themselves forcefully removed from the venue and facing potential federal charges. The combination of these elements create an imposing atmosphere that discourages the catcalls and confrontations that have greeted Representatives and Senators in the dog days of their August break.

Indeed, despite the earnest hopes of the President's supporters, the fury over health care reform rages unabated. Moreover, in spite of his best efforts, the President's attempts to extinguish the populist wildfire have been for naught. Neither prime time White House press conferences nor intimate town hall meetings have had any impact whatsoever on public opinion towards the overhaul of the nation's health care system or their understanding of the details and components of the competing proposals.

Why is that, you ask? Because the President, much like the nation itself, knows dangerously little of the proposals' specifics. Nor, as demonstrated by his erroneous assertion of an AARP endorsement, does he know who supports what.

How can that be, you ask? Because the President is following and not leading.

Despite the President's references to "his proposals", the White House has failed to produce any bill whatsoever. Indeed, the confusing and contentious proposals at the heart of the conflagration are products of the House and Senate. Adding to the disoriented discourse is the fact the Senate bill remains a work in progress, still in the hands of negotiators in no less than three committees.

In light of the President's deference to the leadership of the House and Senate in drafting the proposals for health care reform, perhaps he and the nation would be better served if the authors of the bills, the committee chairs, Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid would take point in leading us through this steamy legislative jungle. Put the Speaker of the "People's House" in front of the people themselves, place the Majority Leader in front of the majority of Americans.

Pelosi and Reid are the elected leaders of the Democratic Party in Congress. They should embrace the principal enshrined in their party's name and eagerly engage in the discourse of our democracy. Allow them to unequivocally demonstrate that the courage of their convictions is equal to their desire for the speedy passage of their proposals. Indeed, if they wish to be the architects of the Republic's future, let them be as forthright as those who laid it's foundation in the past. That dialogue, between the people and their elected representatives is at the very heart of American democracy, after all.

Then again, perhaps that is nothing more than a quaint fable from the fairy tales of yore.

Once upon a time, faithful readers. Once upon a time in America.......

Stay tuned for further updates as events warrant and we see if there is indeed a happy ending to this story.

 

[TheFranklinParty]

You make a very good point that I have been saying for weeks...this is Pelosi/Frank/Kennedy and not as much Pres. Obama. They are the ones driving this bill and they are the ones who did such an awful job defining it and then rushing it.

Many people talk of the complexities of the bill, but the reality is the only thing that is complex is the legalese with which it is written. When you dig into it there are very few points of fact or statements of real action. This has allowed both sides to run wild with accusations and hallucinations while "We the People" waste our time and energy arguing points of myth.

The problem we should solve is who our next leader's should be because this group has failed us (both Rep's and Dem's). The next group should talk in specifics, should talk in plain English, and vow to listen to both sides of every argument.

 

[The Bare Knuckled Pundit]

Hear, hear, TFP! Well said and spot on, sir.

 

[TruthAboveAll]

Despite the cacophony and chaos that has become the hallmark of congressional town hall health care reform meetings as of late, the President has nonetheless elected to embark on a series of his own....
Are the President's forums more civil and placid in comparison to their raucous congressional counterparts?...
First, despite our partisan passions and philosophical differences, the vast majority of Americans remain respectful of the institution and office of the presidency. Regardless of the individual, there is a level of decorum and propriety that is inherent to the office. He is The President of the United States, a title of unrivaled weight and distinction in both our political system and national history.

Very well said. While I have disagreed vehemently with past Presidents from both parties on given issues, the first one in my lifetime that I had some disrespect for AS PRESIDENT was Bill Clinton. His personal life? I could care less. But his shenanigans significantly lowered the decorum afforded the American President. I could never shake from my mind the contrast of Ronald Reagan never setting foot in the Oval Office without a jacket and tie, and Clinton and his lady dressed in blue....

Furthermore, beyond these intangible elements and social customs, there is the very real and tangible presence of the highly-trained, well-armed and psychologically-intimidating Secret Service. Should someone be so bold and dim-witted as to attempt to get in the President's face and shout him down, they would quickly find themselves forcefully removed from the venue and facing potential federal charges. The combination of these elements create an imposing atmosphere that discourages the catcalls and confrontations that have greeted Representatives and Senators in the dog days of their August break.

I see your point, and it's a good one. However, that never stopped the denigration of George Bush by his detractors. Then again, looking at clips of such incidents, he tended to respect their right to dissent, and his inherent responsibility to bear it.

Indeed, despite the earnest hopes of the President's supporters, the fury over health care reform rages unabated. Moreover, in spite of his best efforts, the President's attempts to extinguish the populist wildfire have been for naught. Neither prime time White House press conferences nor intimate town hall meetings have had any impact whatsoever on public opinion towards the overhaul of the nation's health care system or their understanding of the details and components of the competing proposals.

Why is that, you ask? Because the President, much like the nation itself, knows dangerously little of the proposals' specifics. Nor, as demonstrated by his erroneous assertion of an AARP endorsement, does he know who supports what.

How can that be, you ask? Because the President is following and not leading.

Despite the President's references to "his proposals", the White House has failed to produce any bill whatsoever. Indeed, the confusing and contentious proposals at the heart of the conflagration are products of the House and Senate. Adding to the disoriented discourse is the fact the Senate bill remains a work in progress, still in the hands of negotiators in no less than three committees.

All so very true. It must make him absolutely livid that with the significant ownership of both Congress and the Administration, and after all his closed-door meetings, dinners, etc. with Democrat leadership, there is still that pesky process in the senate of the committees which will not be devoid of Republicans unless they can somehow manage to eliminate them all. And it is a fine line he must walk. Disdainful Imperialism may fly with your adulating followers, but really won't stand the light of day with the American public.

In light of the President's deference to the leadership of the House and Senate in drafting the proposals for health care reform, perhaps he and the nation would be better served if the authors of the bills, the committee chairs, Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid would take point in leading us through this steamy legislative jungle. Put the Speaker of the "People's House" in front of the people themselves, place the Majority Leader in front of the majority of Americans.

Pelosi and Reid are the elected leaders of the Democratic Party in Congress. They should embrace the principal enshrined in their party's name and eagerly engage in the discourse of our democracy. Allow them to unequivocally demonstrate that the courage of their convictions is equal to their desire for the speedy passage of their proposals. Indeed, if they wish to be the architects of the Republic's future, let them be as forthright as those who laid it's foundation in the past. That dialogue, between the people and their elected representatives is at the very heart of American democracy, after all.

Then again, perhaps that is nothing more than a quaint fable from the fairy tales of yore.

Once upon a time, faithful readers. Once upon a time in America.......

Stay tuned for further updates as events warrant and we see if there is indeed a happy ending to this story.

True, true, true! But in truth, Pelosi and Reid are merely two more elected officials, one a single member of a body of 100, the other a single member of 435. Their power on a day-to-day basis is ephemeral, and it makes one question what the true motives are of the Democrat rank-and-members in each branch to elevate these two rather insignificant individuals.

Your assessment of PBO following instead of leading is equally true of these two. It strikes me more as a well-choreographed play than a true core of leadership.

So I will wait with a thrill running up my leg for the next installment of your tale!