A nation in crisis

LARRY ANDERSON
Larry Anderson

We must be attentive every day to Barack Obama’s performance because the political picture isn’t lovely.

Indeed, America is a nation in crisis.

Here’s why:

During seven years in office, Barack Obama has not demonstrated an ability or a willingness to work with Congress on issues such as the environment, immigration, health care, and a host of other problems, domestic and international.

The president rarely speaks with members of Congress. He issues demands instead. If those aren’t met, he’s done working within the system.

It has been Obama’s way or no way.

The abyss between liberals and conservatives has widened. Partisanship has overwhelmed any willingness to listen or to give and take for the greater good.

The differences between Left and Right have always been profound, but Ronald Reagan was willing to work with then Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, and Bill Clinton dragged himself to the table when the election in 1994 made it clear it was politically expedient to do so.

Accomplishments followed battles.

Obama has shown no such ability.

When challenged, he lectures, then vetoes.

When the support isn’t there, he issues executive orders, an administrative power that was once functional in nature but is now a political shortcut to an ideological end.

Liberal use of executive orders speaks to the weakness of a president who can’t sell his proposals on merit. A man who can’t work well with opinionated people will not lead effectively within the democratic design.

Hammering out differences is hard work. Much of it has to do with respect for person and office.

When there is little mutually, it compounds the crisis.

It should be clear by now Obama is compromised by an ideology that doesn’t fit with this country historically or within its political construct.

His performance shows dedication only to the Leftist ideal. That is not good.

America was built on a system designed to distribute power within branches so no one part becomes too strong, and, therefore, a potential threat to the security and freedom of the people it represents.

Legislation was meant to be steady and thoughtful, not rushed, demagogued, or dictated. Obama promotes speed for unpopular policies.

A president should be a guide with broad awareness, but Obama supports only what he wants, not necessarily what is best for most.

Indeed, majority matters little, tradition less.

Obama imagines a socialist haven. He doesn’t understand that working Americans like what capitalism gives them; he doesn’t get that generosity, “social justice,” and change come from the heart just as much as governmental edicts presented poorly.

Truth is, much of what this president has done is profoundly disapproved, as evidenced by recent elections and polls.

A year ago, Democrats lost 3,000 state offices nationwide — and the Senate.

I see no proof that Obama learned from this. I see only recalcitrance and an enhanced determination to drive the Leftist agenda down the American throat.

Look at his immigration policies.

Look at his jeering attitude toward legitimate refugee concerns.

Look at the Iran treaty that empowered an enemy.

Barack Obama seems to think being stubborn is the same as being strong, but Americans like choices and respond well to those who work for everyone to the best of their ability. We don’t react well to one line of thought.

Doggedness on such creates divisiveness, as does the insistence we must change what works to a fractured ideal with no history of success.

A belief that one is always right, based more on arrogance than evidence, drains people’s willingness to support. A good president gets the people behind him because he wants to be backed. Suspicion and doubt dominate instead.

That is where we are now with America compromised by an untenable political philosophy and a man who can’t change and doesn’t try to understand the whole he represents.

It’s sad and dangerous, this crisis of leadership.

The good news is next year we can change direction. America must do so with determination and unity.

Larry W. Anderson’s young adult novel, I, Eugenius, is available at Maryville Daily Forum.