Will’s Words of Wisdom: Figure it out, boys and girls

By William Herbe
January 31st, 2010
Section: Opinions

President Obama addressed the nation in his first State of the Union speech  last Wednesday. I anticipated another moving speech by the current champion of oratory and public grace. I heard the man talk; now I’m waiting for results.

It’s been more than a year since his inauguration and campaign for hope and change, but not much has changed. In fact the only thing that has changed is the heated rivalry between our nation’s two parties. Second only to “Jersey Shore,” the rivalry and bickering between the Democrats and Republicans has become the most popular reality show on television.

I believe Obama’s words are genuine and heartfelt. I don’t think for a minute that he’s bluffing or hypnotizing the weak. He is a man of integrity and hope. But will any of the things he said last Wednesday get done? It certainly begins and ends with Obama, but the root of America’s current problem is the friction between Democrats and Republicans.

The health care bill is on the brink of disintegration on the Senate floor. Democrats support his stimulus, but the GOP doesn’t. Republicans think Obama is full of it while Democrats think he is the ultimate unifier.

The reality is their division is more hurtful than ever. Both parties are attacking each other and rejecting reforms across the board. It feels like a simple case of who will back down first. A good-old-fashioned stand off is happening right now in Washington D.C. and the public, the American people who deserve better are suffering most.

The way the two parties were acting at the State of the Union looked like a room filled with Yankees and Red Sox fans. But what I don’t get is why there are sides for either team when there should be support for the entire sport.

That’s an analogy my friends and Obama is up there representing America, not the Democrats or the Republicans.

If the two parties don’t pass health care reform sooner than later, the economy may never fully recover. If it’s passed it will become a key element to recovery and bi-partisanship.

The longer the parties continue their childish antics and grudges over power, the longer they will be denying progress. It’s time to grow up and make bipartisan decisions that are in the best interest of all Americans, not just a political party.

It’s time for the boys and girls on Capitol Hill to figure it out.

As college students, Angelenos and Americans I advise each and every one of us to educate and communicate with regards to the current state of our country and government. Our generation is going to be impacted severely by what happens now and in the future regarding this global crisis.

If we acknowledge our neighbors, and discuss our problems and opposing views we will find answers. We can show America that Los Angeles is able to work out problems and be the model for change.

top

Disclaimer: The Daily Sundial is not responsible for comments posted on dailysundial.com. In accordance with the Communications Decency Act of 1996 the Sundial is not liable for the content of comments. By commenting, all persons posting on dailysundial.com have agreed to our comment policy. If a comment does not abide by the comment policy the Sundial reserves the right to delete comments without warning. The Daily Sundial advises persons commenting not to abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid comments of hate speech or encouraging violence.

  • David

    Will: There are “sides” because the two parties have ideological differences about what America should be and how large government should be and how intrusive it should be in our lives.

    The Founding Fathers had a view of America and wrote the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. America, by design, was not supposed to be like Europe. Incredibly, those who hold the Founding Fathers’ values and try to uphold the Constitution are seen as the “far right” today. Where the Republicans have failed of late is that they’ve tried to be more like Democrats–spending like drunken sailors and increasing the size and influence of government.

    The American people have seen for the last year what happens when the left is in power–and they don’t much like it. The U.S. is center-right. Obama is an (admitted) Progressive and there are many in the Democratic Party. The Progressives are to the left of traditional liberals; their goal is to “progress” beyond the constraints of the Constitution and essentially turn the U.S. into a welfare state seeking equality of outcome (e.g., the redistribution of wealth) rather than equality of opportunity.

    This has awakened the Republican Party (finally) and they united in opposition to the huge government takeover of one-sixth of the economy. The Republicans’ proposals on the issue have fallen on Obama’s rather prominent, but apparently deaf ears. Therefore, it’s the fault of the Democrats that they shut out the Republicans and that they, with a super-majority, failed to ram their overreaching, unconstitutional plan through.

    I truly don’t mean to be condescending—it’s largely not your fault that the education system has failed you—but you really need to brush up on such important topics such as U.S. history and government. The original Constitution was four pages long; the Bill of Rights is on another page—about 2000 pages shorter than the Democrats’ healthcare bill.

    In the meantime, enjoy this two-minute, good-humored, anti-big-government music video called “The Government Can,” sung to the tune of “The Candy Man” by Tim Hawkins. http://www.timhawkins.net/video/government-can.html

  • J-Dog

    I have to agree with you Will. It is unfortunate to see these two parties who are supposed to represent the people be bickering and fighting between each other just because they don’t want to be the first to back down.

    As an American, it bothers me that we as citizens continue to allow our representatives and senators to continue acting like little children.

    I wonder what it will take for the country to finally unite in order to solve the issues that are slowly killing off Americans.

  • David Bailey

    Nonsense! The democrats still control both houses of congress and the presidency. They don’t need the republicans for anything. Mr. Obama’s problem is his repeated failure to listen to the american public. His fellow democrats are the ones saying “no”.