Where is the Political Center!?

Many people had hopes for this new administration. Hopes that things would change. Everyone had their own definition, though of what "change" really meant. For me, as I have said before, it was the hope that change would be in the leadership mentality of leading from the extremes, and start to lead from the middle of the political spectrum.

So far, Obama has proven to be pragmatic, and look for ways to work from the middle. But the Congress has been brutally partisan--ON BOTH SIDES. And the Party apparatuses have been even worse. My question is this: Why are all the party leaders SO extreme on both sides?

From the Left:

Nancy Pelosi--How about having a couple of amendments from Republican lawmakers be considered? Perhaps there could be a modicum of civility as well? Republicans have ideas. Yes, I recognize that the Democrats won the election, and have a large majority. But people are hurting. Leading the country without input from the 46% of people who disagree with you is a bad idea. For the sake of a few meetings, and a few amendments, some Republican support wouldn't kill you, would it? After all, we all saw the results of Bush and Delay leading the Congress with an iron fist. Where are they now? Do YOU want to end up there in 4 years?

Harry Reid--ditto for you. Obama seems willing to meet with these guys and discuss ideas. Would it kill you to do the same? Make it public. Let the world know you are reaching out. Honestly, I can't understand how this guy can lead the MAJORITY PARTY in the Senate.

Senate Seats being treated as family heirlooms--What did you think the country's reaction would be to the notion that the Delaware and New York Senate seats were being "held" for future runs by Joe Biden and John Kennedy's children? It smacks of "elitism". One thing the parties never seem to learn is that these types of behaviors just kick sand in the face of the opposition party. And it opens you up to looking terrible, which is exactly what has happened.


From the Right:

Rush Limbaugh--What's dangerous here is that Rush has now become THE figurehead of the party. People now associate the Party with Rush, and his policies. The problem is that Rush is too Conservative, too polarizing, too negative, too nasty for too many people. He's no leader. And he would say the same. He sees his role as cheering from the sidelines, and influencing the leadership. But he has been running the risk here, of putting himself too much into the action. Criticism is much easier than effectuating policy, and being held up to scrutiny by the masses. This guy has created more issues than he has solved, and it won't get better, the more we hear from him.

John Boehner/John McCain--Is putting out press releases, or petitions to vote against the stimulus bill, the way to craft better legislation? It makes you look partisan, petty, and like you are the problem not the solution. Every time I see John McCain, he looks smaller, angrier, less like a leader. It's really a shame. He can be so much more. Boehner has led his group into the Minority, and if he isn't careful, will lead them to even smaller numbers. Wake up, and start getting your ideas across without sounding like a 15 year old girl ("Oh...my...god...")

Sarah Palin--Do I even need to address this? Why is she still even on the radar screen? This is someone smart enough to be a real force in the party, but has been intellectually lazy, incurious, and has been relying on her looks, party talking points, and obvious opportunities, to promote herself up the ranks. Honestly, it's pathetic. I don't know who looks worse. The Republican Party that has so few bright spots that they look to this C- candidate as a hopeful, the Media, who sees her as a curiosity, as someone who could provide laughs to the masses at any point, or the hordes of American "Joe 6-Packs", who couldn't care less about her ideology, but just like seeing her on the screen. DO us all a favor. Go back to Alaska. Either take politics seriously, and come back, or just continue on with your self-styled slogan "Coldest State/Hottest Governor". I am tired of it. Your 15 minutes are almost up.


Honestly, between the Left and the Right, we could really use some people in the middle, working things out. Perhaps we will see some leaders emerge in the Congress from the middle of the aisle, who are willing to take the best ideas from both parties, and do what's right for America. I suppose that's my HOPE. I'm not holding my breath...