Today, the swirl of political debate continues in Washington; if only we had a Frank Underwood (the main character in the series "House of Cards") who could “clear the pipes and keep the sludge moving” but do so with an eye on a real agreement which made Washington work and addressed the needs, wants and desires of the American people.
We all, as Americans have opinions on the current health care debate – that is the nature of our representative form of government as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution.
However, there is never any good reason for the partisan nature of politics to creep into the good order and discipline of our armed forces and the larger civilian work force.
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For the record, I for one am not all that impressed with the Republican’s growing a backbone now.
Where were they in the late 90s and early 2000s when the medical insurance industry were getting out of control?
Where was their backbone during the time when they had both houses of Congress and the White House where they could have fixed the health care system through enhanced regulation?
Simply put, the Republican's failed to act when they had the chance. There is a time and place for partisan debate.
The president took the opportunity to address the government shutdown with members of the whole federal government – this was expressed in an internal Department of Defense official message, titled:
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT OBAMA TO ALL U.S. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.
It then begins:
THIS MESSAGE WAS PASSED, VIA SECDEF HAGEL ON TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR ARMED FORCES VIA OFFICIAL MESSAGE CHANNELS.
Most of the military personnel who received this note appreciated the president’s concern and tone. It was realistic, to the point and did something that any commander in chief should do: reassure the federal employees and members of the military that their hard work is not only appreciated, it is vital to the continued success and sustainment of our republic.
The president does an outstanding job explaining the issues the federal workforce has faced:
“YOU DO ALL THIS IN A POLITICAL CLIMATE THAT, TOO OFTEN IN RECENT YEARS, HAS TREATED YOU LIKE A PUNCHING BAG. YOU HAVE ENDURED THREE YEARS OF A FEDERAL PAY FREEZE, HARMFUL SEQUESTER CUTS, AND NOW, A SHUTDOWN OF OUR GOVERNMENT. AND YET, YOU PERSEVERE, CONTINUING TO SERVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WITH PASSION, PROFESSIONALISM, AND SKILL.
NONE OF THIS IS FAIR TO YOU. AND SHOULD IT CONTINUE, IT WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO KEEP ATTRACTING THE KIND OF DRIVEN, PATRIOTIC, IDEALISTIC AMERICANS TO PUBLIC SERVICE THAT OUR CITIZENS DESERVE AND THAT OUR SYSTEM OF SELF-GOVERNMENT DEMANDS.”
He even goes on to quote President George W. Bush:
“SO WHILE THE BUDGET FIGHTS IN WASHINGTON ARE TOO OFTEN PARTISAN, YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY MUST NEVER BE. AS ONE OF MY PREDECESSORS, PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH, ONCE SAID, "THERE IS NOTHING MORE FULFILLING THAN TO SERVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS AND TO DO IT WELL. AND THAT IS WHAT OUR SYSTEM OF SELF-GOVERNMENT DEPENDS ON."
However, there is a paragraph of the president’s message that many members of the Department of Defense, and myself, find troubling.
As much as I am critical of the Republicans over the way the fight over ObamaCare, has been handled, many of members of congress are simply representing the views of their constituents who oppose the president’s health care law and they are doing their job. These members of Congress will be re-elected. There are, and will remain, political differences.
In an otherwise solid message of support, the president suddenly takes a partisan tone; one which is not appropriate for a commander in chief, someone who must stay above the fray and work to resolve issues:
“THIS SHUTDOWN WAS COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CAN END IT AS SOON AS IT FOLLOWS THE SENATE'S LEAD, AND FUNDS YOUR WORK IN THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WITHOUT TRYING TO ATTACH HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL AND PARTISAN MEASURES IN THE PROCESS.”
It is an outrage – beyond inappropriate -- for the president to “editorialize” in this official statement to the members of the military on a partisan issue.
The men and women who serve this country do so to protect the American people and do not wish to become pawns in the political games of Washington.
I received feedback from multiple members of the armed forces who felt that this was “awkward” and “inappropriate” for President Obama to make such a statement in an official government communication.
The members of the military, and the larger federal government, must serve presidents of both political parties with equal enthusiasm and professionalism.
They cannot and should not take sides, in their official duties, when it comes to partisan politics. They must remain outside of the political fray, and it is simply wrong for the president to try and pull them into it.
We all hope for a rapid resolution of the government slimdown. We have wonderful, intelligent, able and well equipped men and women serving in our armed forces.
They must be protected and defended from the political drama in Washington.
They had no hand in creating it, and they must be allowed to carry on, doing their duty, outside of the political extravaganza that plays out on a daily basis in Washington.