Rep. Weiner Tells It Like It Is; Rahmbo, Are You Listening?

by Bruce Friedrich

The most popular political video of the month is, of course, Rep. Anthony Weiner’s excoriation of Republicans over their unwillingness to pass a bill to provide medical assistance to citizens sickened by the 9-11 bombing.

In today’s New York Times, he explains his anger:

[W]hat upset me most last week were comments voiced by Republicans who claimed to be supporters of the bill, yet who used their time on the House floor not to persuade skeptical Republican colleagues to vote yes but to excoriate Democrats…

More importantly, though, he makes a critical broader point about the nature of debate in Washington these days—about the political culture that finds Republicans the “party of no,” Republican operatives and activists fueling the fire with feigned outrage over just about anything, and Democrats refusing to fight back:

I believe a little raw anger right now is justified. Democrats make a mistake by pretending there is a bipartisan spirit in Congress these days, and would be better served by calling out Republican shams…

Instead of engaging in a real debate about how to address the challenges we face, Republicans have turned to obstruction, no matter the issue, and then cry foul after the fact. They claim to want an open legislative process with more consultation and debate, but the truth is they simply don’t want to pass anything.

Meanwhile, conservative television and talk radio programs are full of false anger, intended to scare Americans. I think some genuine frustration at this misleading tactic is overdue.

It would be nice to see the Obama administration offering similar candor.

Rahmbo—where art thou?

By: BruceGFriedrich

Vice President, Policy, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals