SALT LAKE CITY, August 30, 2012 — House Republicans dealt President Obama and his party a serious blow in 2010, when they brought the rush to runaway federal government to an abrupt end.
Since then, the president has shown time and time again that he has no interest in compromise or pragmatic politics.
Paul Ryan, the GOP nominee for vice president and a leader in the House, declared in his acceptance speech on Wednesday night that, “What’s missing is leadership in the White House.”
And Obama blames Republicans.
The president has a penchant for shifting responsibility for his failures onto his opponents. Yet the record is undeniable: The recovery is too weak, there aren’t enough jobs, and the federal debt is becoming an unbearable burden on any chance of a turnaround.
The reason, according to the White House, is that Washington is “paralyzed” by GOP intransigence.
President Obama failed to compromise on a deficit deal last summer because of Republicans.
He hasn’t worked toward tax reform because of Republicans.
The nation has had to borrow unfathomable amounts of money from China because of Republicans.
The Democratic Senate hasn’t passed a budget because of Republicans.
He vetoed the Keystone XL Pipeline because of Republicans.
His promise to keep unemployment below 6% has not come close to materializing because of Republicans.
Obamacare remains deeply unpopular because of Republicans.
His past two budget submissions received zero votes because of Republicans.
A majority of Americans believe that the country is on the wrong track, that their kids will be worse off than they are—you guessed it—because of Republican intransigence.
“Without a change in leadership,” asked Rep. Ryan, “why would the next four years be any different from the last four years?”
They won’t. The ills that vex the nation are a result of poor leadership.
His appeal to the voters? “Give me another chance.” “I can do better next time.”
Unwittingly, then, he has revived his campaign of Hope. He is counting on Americans to cast another vote in hopes that somehow, someway, he’ll be able to do what he couldn’t for the past four years: lead.
Let’s hope he’s wrong.
You can learn more about the author at Rich-Stowell.com and on Facebook.
Rich is a teacher and a soldier. In addition to writing the “Rich Like Me” political column at the Washington Times Communities, he is the author of Nine Weeks: A Teacher’s Education in Army Basic Training; Tunnel Club; and Not Another Boring Textbook: A High School Students’ Guide to their Inner Conservative.
He writes about Salt Lake City and the World in the Food and Travel section.
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