When the mayor of Las Vegas openly rejects the president of the United States’ presence and politicians from President Obama’s own party question whether he is a political liability, it’s easy to understand why the American public feels that something is seriously amiss.
How did Obama become a liability? More importantly, where did the hope and change that he promised go? It was not supposed to be like this. He was elected because the American public needed a fresh voice in Washington. We needed a jump-start and break from President Bush. Like an old car in need of replacement, the American people realized that it was time for something new. The Obama vehicle was eloquent, sleek, modern and shined so brightly that at times it was blinding.
For a time, the rest of world was as equally enthralled. The Obama vehicle even won a major accolade abroad in the form of the Nobel Peace Prize. Obama traveled the world on tour as the shining American star, first in Oslo, then Copenhagen.
However, as with all new vehicles, it was only new until it was driven off the lot. Small chips began to appear on the newly minted car. The shine wasn’t quite as bright. Although the Obama vehicle was supposed to be a family vehicle, it was now being driven by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. So with the pedal to the metal, they drove and refused to look back.
Like newly licensed, rebellious teenagers behind the wheel, they ignored the warnings. They had the top down and the wind running through their hair. By now, the sirens and lights were a deafening roar. The public began to organize, to complain. This wasn’t the change they voted for. They even organized a march in Washington, D.C. Would Washington heed their call? Some in the media called them reactionaries, “out of touch” — even racists.
Meanwhile, the Obama vehicle raced even faster, burning trillions of dollars with every turn it made. Pelosi and Reid were dangerously close to losing control. They tried desperately to avoid a collision. They slammed on the brakes, but it was too late. There was chaos.
If you had been told a year ago that in the most liberal state in the United States, a political unknown by the name of Scott Brown would be elected to Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat, what would you have said? Yet, that is exactly what happened in perhaps the biggest political upset of our lifetime. This was the equivalent of winning the Indy 500 driving a three-cylinder Geo Metro. It just isn’t supposed to happen, yet it did.
Brown’s election sent a crystal clear message that the American people weren’t on board with the direction Pelosi and Reid were attempting to take the country. This wasn’t the change they wanted.
However, what is perhaps even more amazing is that there are still politicians so deluded with false justifications and rationalizations that they’ve convinced themselves that they’re still in the driver’s seat. Even though the Obama vehicle is in pieces.
The flashing lights and sirens are still as loud as ever, yet, Obama, Pelosi, and Reid continue to point fingers at everyone but themselves. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., was able to see ahead and changed direction. President Clinton did the same in 1994. Any politician who doesn’t will soon find her or his own Scott Brown truck looming large.
John MacTaggart is a business owner, Afghanistan veteran, and Cedar Rapids resident.