The Power of the Purse meets the Power of the Pen

A couple of weeks ago Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) was the subject of an international media highlight when he announced that he would write an article to be published in Russia as a rebuttal to a NY Times Op Ed article written by Russian President Vladamir Putin.  Senator McCain did in fact write the article wherein he spoke of the dignity and the right to self-determination of Russian citizens.  Russian criticism aside, this was an exceptional (pardon the pun) use of the media by a member of Congress. 

During the course of the government shutdown, now on day 10, Representatives, Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) have taken Senator McCain’s model to heart and have published articles of their own in the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today, respectively. 

Republican representatives are eager to share their views of the circumstances relating to the government shutdown and understandably so.  Clearly Republican Congressional representatives have taken the lions share of the blame for any negative impacts of the government shut down.  Actually, on that note, is there an up-side?  Is there an argument for the government shut down?  Is there any blame or fault on the part of the Democrats or the President?  I just don’t remember hearing any.  However, I have heard for many years that the government is continuing to incur unacceptable debt levels, and I have heard that the people do not like and never wanted Obamacare, and I have heard that people are afraid of the financial implications of mandatory insurance enrollment.  Why are there no news stories about these concerns or discussion in the main stream media of potential fixes.  I have, however, seen the story of a waitress in Virginia who is not making enough money in tips because the IRS workers are not there, and I even saw an interview with the President where he alluded to this “economic impact.”  These stories represent personalization in lieu of substantive discussion. 

It seems to me that there is an unimaginable level of stubbornness between Democrats and Republicans; and Boehner and Obama, which is unaided by the lack of actual information and insight dispersed to the people by the main stream media.  I do not want to hear any more about the poor waitress, or even the poor veterans (sorry) I want to hear substantive policy issue and debate from both sides, what are the issues and what are their long term / short term national implications?

A message to Boehner and Obama:  This grade school I want my way, he said, he won’t give me what I want childhood behavior has got to stop!  Do you grown men really need your mother to get involved and put you both in time out?  

These politicians need a reality check, their job is to do what is best for America and American’s.  Figure out what that is and do it.  It’s really not about you! 

 

Anyway, back to the point, the view of the Congressional Republican is not equally represented in the main stream media which has almost necessitated use of the pen to justify the use of the purse.