Tragedy in Arizona

In what has proven to be one of the most shocking and horrific crimes of late, the recent shooting in Arizona by 22 year-old, Jared Loughner, has left the country in deep sorrow. The shooting, involving 19 innocent people, included Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who represents Arizona’s 8^th Congressional District, among several other government workers. The event, which occurred last Saturday, has made a major dent in the image of this democratic-republic which seeks to encourage personal freedom of speech and accept persons with differing views.

However, what has been just as shocking in recent days as the rampage itself, has been the heated and highly charged political fight that has erupted from many who seem to believe the shooting had a deeper political objective from some on the fringe of the conservative movement.

If there is anything America knows how to do, it is to come together and unite in trying times - this has been proven time and time again in the wake of numerous national tragedies. It is alarming then that some, like Paul Krugman of the New York Times, would try to paint this terrible event as an act of terror on behalf of the Tea Party or a larger political movement within the United States.

While it is true that Giffords, who won her district in November by only about 1.5%, has been under criticism by those who disagree with her support of the controversial health care bill, she still remains a "Blue Dog" Democrat holding many conservative views. It is questionable then that Loughner, a 22-year-old college dropout, would act in response to her personal political views which remain quite moderate. Perhaps instead of categorizing himself with the interests of any specific political group, the motivation for Loughner's crime was driven by an anarchist and psychotic mentality which has been suggested from personal posts on his Myspace page.


It has been suggested in the media that perhaps rhetoric like Sarah Palin’s “crosshairs” graphic featured on her website for the 2010 midterm election (including Giffords’ district) has provoked this tragedy. This claim is left with little evidence that Loughner himself ever saw the graphic or even involved himself in the political atmosphere of his region. It should be noted, though, that imagery like Palin’s “crosshairs” map is common in political campaigns. In 2004, Democrats featured a bull’s-eye “target” map highlighting key Republican districts in hopes of a political shift in those areas. It’s a peculiar political strategy, but not one atypical of national campaigns from both ends of the political spectrum.

Pointing fingers and calling blame on a broad group only diverts attention from the real catastrophe and is certainly not a productive way to grieve and mourn the loss of innocent life which includes the deaths of nine innocent people. The victims included a 9-year-old girl and John Roll, a federal judge nominated by President George H.W. Bush.

It is important that Americans come together and do everything in their power to avoid politicizing this event. The families of those affected deserve the grace and respect of every American regardless of political identification. Just as President Obama and the First Lady led the nation in a moment of silence today, so should every American take example from them and remain patriots to their country – patriots who know no boundaries when it comes to revering their own.  





2010 Republican "Victory Map"





2004 Democrat "Victory Map"





 



John Boehner: The New Speaker

It has been four years since the House of Representatives has been led by a Republican. With John Boehner’s ascension to the position of Speaker of the House, the newly sworn in 112^th Congress will see a much different course than that led by predecessor, Nancy Pelosi. With his Mid-Western roots and conservative approach to politics, Boehner was a likely candidate to lead the new Republican majority; what matters now is will his leadership be effective?

The 2010 mid-term election was one of the most heated in years. With health care a top issue during the pre-election debates, the new Congress will now face the reality of repealing the bill. John Boehner will now have to lead this fight and garner the support of the public who, in recent polls, show a divided view on the issue.

Most public opinion research suggests that just over 44% of Americans would like to see Obama’s Health Care Bill repealed while 40% favor keeping it. Understandably, Republicans make up the majority of those in favor of repealing the bill, but it will be John Boehner’s responsibility to rally Democrats as well who might be on the fence with the issue.

If the House effectively passes a measure to repeal the Health Care Bill, President Obama will almost certainly use his veto power. It will then be up to possible moderate-Democrats to override his veto. Because it’s unlikely Congress will have enough votes to override an executive veto, a different course may be needed to reach a realistic conclusion to the issue.

If Boehner proceeds with the intent of completely destroying the previous bill, he risks Congress becoming just as divided as the previous one was. Perhaps the sensible solution is to make broad and fundamental changes to the current bill while keeping intact the intent of the bill which is to make healthcare available and affordable to the vast majority of Americans – a goal supported by both parties.

However, it seems that John Boehner is looking to make this Congress similar to that of Newt Gingrich’s  and his “Republican Revolution.” While the Congress led by Gingrich made sweeping reforms in the 1990s (with the cooperation of President Clinton), the political landscape was much different then. For one, President Clinton proved to be a conservative Democrat – this was best seen with his Welfare Reform Act of 1996. President Obama hasn’t shown any signs of coming to the center, but maybe, like Clinton, Obama will realize he may have to compromise in order to make progress and achieve the change he promised.

Whatever happens in the next two years, John Boehner will have to answer to his constituents and the broader American electorate. While Congress appears to be on his side, rallying other political officials who may not have similar views will prove to be the biggest challenge with this Congress – that includes the President. If this can’t be achieved, the American people are in store for a stagnant and disappointing era in Congressional history.

The 112th Congress: A Fresh Start

In an historic change of political leadership, Republicans' control of the House with the 112th Congress is sure to bring change to Washington. With Nancy Pelosi gone and John Boehner likely to be the new Speaker of the House, Obama faces a new political landscape. However, with so much to be expected of this new Congress, much like the election of Barack Obama in 2008, can the new political force deliver? America has spoken and the expectations are high.

There is no doubt the dramatic shift of power in the House is a bold statement from the American people; the 111th Congress' ways of operation proved too dramatic and "taxing" for mainstream America. However, Democrats still have a slim majority in the Senate (and, of course, a Democratic president) which will prove to be a political obstacle course getting legislation agreed upon and signed into law.

With the help of the Tea Party movement, Republicans' aggressive attacks on the Democrats yielded successful returns in key races throughout the U.S. Now, the challenge these newly elected officials face is how far right will the country (and the Democrats in congress) allow them to bend? Keeping campaign promises is hard to do, especially in a political climate like Washington, D.C. The Tea Party and middle-America will be expecting a lot from the 112th Congress - restrained spending, tax cuts, smaller government, overall fiscal responsibility and the possible repeal of the new Health Care Reform Bill. These are major elements Americans expect to see delivered from their new Congress.

With the lame duck session in December, Obama proved he and some fellow Democrats may be willing to reach across the aisle. This was best seen with the recent extension of the Bush Tax Cuts which the majority of Americans supported. If compromises like these continue, there will be much to be anticipated with the 112th Congress. If not, Americans are sure to rally together and hold these politicians responsible - the 2010 election showed they can. Regardless the political fight, Obama must be willing to come to the center or risk a huge upset in 2012.

There is no clear indicator as to what 2011 will bring for Congress and the American people. Will Congress participate in a political stalemate or will Democrats, for the first time since Obama was elected, come to the center?  

The political tides in Washington are shifting in a way that hasn't been seen in quite some time - a Democrat in the White House and a split Congress. However, if there is one lesson to be learned from the 111th Congress, it is to adhere to the will of the American people. With the House up for re-election every two years, America has seen just how quickly the tables can turn in Washington. Democrats' loss of 60+ seats in the November elections proved to lawmakers that the power is with the people.