The Panic Room

Everything Obama has touched during his first two years in office has gotten demonstrably worse. Sure, he’s been successful in passing significant legislation - perhaps more so than any other president in U.S. history. But where has it led? I challenge anybody to tell me how any policy thrust of Obama’s has led the nation (as a whole) to a better place?

Then there’s the way it was done. Some would even call it illegal. Certainly, it was done against the will of the people. Certainly, every underhanded trick was used to pass Obama’s legislative agenda. In every case, bills were rushed through Congress without members knowing what they were voting on. There is even evidence to suggest that the president himself didn’t know (or care).

Bolton makes a good point. If Obama’s goal in all this is to marginalize Congress (and, by extension, the people’s input to governance overall) he is succeeding. It is a point not to be overlooked. It usually ends in tyranny.

Now we stand on a precipice once again; and this time it actually does involve our national security. Bolton makes any number of cogent arguments against passing START. He is in a position to know, having served as UN ambassador under Bush. His caution should at the very least be considered in open debate.

Bolton’s larger point is equally compelling. Who in their right mind would keep going to the same plumber over and over again once he has proven himself to be dangerously inept?

In India, self-styled sidewalk dentists sit on straw mats with their box of unwashed implements. They provide basic service to the poorest of the poor for scant compensation. But would anyone of the middle class avail themselves of their services? America is at the very least ‘middle class’ I should hope.

Then, one might also consider why Obama would risk once again being accused of operating with a total lack of transparency? Perhaps the deal does not bear scrutiny. Perhaps, after all is said and done, it is bad for America. Perhaps that’s the point. (Oops! I have just inadvertently entered a room into which few would venture.)

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