WASHINGTON D.C.—As Washington and the nation braces for the threats of another possible government shut-down, members of Congress and the president would still continue receiving their paychecks. Despite most of our political leaders being extremely wealthy, they would continue to not sacrifice like many Americans have been forced to do during the last two and a half years of the global economic recession. That should be of no surprise to anyone, but what should be shocking is that the basis on which many in the political right argued for a change in our nation’s direction last November at the polls is not even being pondered at this point. The biggest political news last week was Mike Huckabee’s personal meddling into the private life of an Academy Award® winning actress.
House Majority Leader John Boehner and Tea Party enthusiasts argued that the federal budget was what they cared mostly about. However, despite racist picket signs and rhetoric that would be considered boorish at the very least and bigoted at the worst, no one on the political right or left has tackled the biggest budget problems we must soon grasp: defense spending, Medicare entitlements and Social Security. Sure we’ll be hearing Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin discuss it over the next two years, but no real plans will be on the table from them or their counterparts. What we will hear is the ridiculous meddling such as we heard last week by Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, who foolishly attacked Natalie Portman in hopes of becoming as popular as former Vice President Dan Quayle, who famously attacked the most popular working single mother on TV in the 1990s, “Murphy Brown.” However, did Huckabee not see how silly that made Quayle look to the public? The constant attacks on social issues from the right are only to pander to the base of the Republican Party, and has absolutely no positive effect on the thinkers in politics, the independent voters. It only turns them off.
Huckabee possibly could have gained more ground if he’d spoken out against his own son, David, who allegedly tortured a defenseless and helpless stray dog when he was younger. He and another camp counselor were relieved from their duties at an Arkansas youth camp after facing accusations of animal abuse. Those who support potential presidential candidate Huckabee will say, “Why did you bring this up?” The answer is simple. When you throw stones at others, be wary that it can also be done to you, and as unimportant as this personal family matter may be to his supporters, perhaps Natalie Portman’s pregnancy, which is not being subsidized by taxpayers, is just as personal and private as Huckabee’s own family’s business is to him.
Isn’t it amazing how the right wing of the Republican Party is quick to point fingers at women, much like the Islamists do in the Middle East? Women are blamed by the American political right for pregnancy, when they are only half of the reason why a pregnancy exists, and in many Middle Eastern and Islamic countries, women are stoned to death for being rape victims, often killed at the hands of male family members who see them as a disgrace to the family.
The political left also likes to play political blood sport. They will often attack the children of politicians, as Bristol Palin has on many occasions been attacked and even blamed for the decisions of viewers’ voting results on “Dancing with the Stars,” and even was referred to by the rabid left, as a non-celebrity. Though they never make that same distinction of left leaning celebrities who are equal to Bristol Palin in being “non” celebrities.
Sarah Palin chides comedian Kathy Griffin for allegedly making jokes and unkind statements about her children, while Palin herself thinks that First Lady Michelle Obama is fair game, even though she too is not a politician but is the spouse of one. The hypocrisy hurts when it’s your party that is being attacked. Perhaps if we stayed out of other people’s private affairs and family business, our own would not be opened for inspection. Mr. Huckabee, shame on you for attacking Natalie Portman, when you need to be speaking about the nation’s deficit and other serious matters of public concern, including the need for American independence from foreign oil, the environment and any other number of important issues. That, however, takes courage while judging others takes none.
Pray for our brave troops who continue to remain in harm’s way fighting the terrorists, who want to do us harm. Please remember their families who miss them greatly.
