Why does it seem that whenever President Obama makes a speech to try and get public opinion on his side to place pressure on Congress to, you know, do their jobs, many on the right side of the political spectrum refer to it as nothing more than a "political stunt"?
Obama: Pushing for immigration reform
GOP: "This is just a political stunt!"
Obama: Fighting for equal pay for women
GOP: "This is nothing more than a political stunt!"
Obama: Wanting to push stricter gun laws
GOP: "Two words - political stunt!"
With the 24-hours news media being what it is, yes, presidents and other politicians attempt to increase the favorability of themselves and their party by speaking our for certain causes. However, why must that be the only reason for a politician to advocate action for a particular cause? Why does it seem inevitable to many that a politician is only seeking to improve his or her favorability, as opposed to actually wanting to do their job and get something done while in office?
Even if 25% of what President Obama says with regard to fair pay for women can be construed as a "political stunt," does that then negate the 75% of him which genuinely wants to put forth such actions, and should that 25% be enough for the opposing side to protest the speech and actions, in order to deny any such actions from taking place?
Politics has always been a combination of show-business and action. Politicians often times get elected, not only for their ideas, but also for their likability. However, it seems that any more, politics is 75% show-business and only 25% action (it may be more like 90 and 10) and the show-business element gets over-utilized in order to prevent action. How nice it would be for these individuals, whom were elected into office by American voters, to put forth such actions that got them their jobs in the first place, as opposed to just talking about what actions shouldn't take place - attempting to place themselves in a better light with certain demographics, as opposed to actually getting anything done.
Obama: Pushing for immigration reform
GOP: "This is just a political stunt!"
Obama: Fighting for equal pay for women
GOP: "This is nothing more than a political stunt!"
Obama: Wanting to push stricter gun laws
GOP: "Two words - political stunt!"
With the 24-hours news media being what it is, yes, presidents and other politicians attempt to increase the favorability of themselves and their party by speaking our for certain causes. However, why must that be the only reason for a politician to advocate action for a particular cause? Why does it seem inevitable to many that a politician is only seeking to improve his or her favorability, as opposed to actually wanting to do their job and get something done while in office?
Even if 25% of what President Obama says with regard to fair pay for women can be construed as a "political stunt," does that then negate the 75% of him which genuinely wants to put forth such actions, and should that 25% be enough for the opposing side to protest the speech and actions, in order to deny any such actions from taking place?
Politics has always been a combination of show-business and action. Politicians often times get elected, not only for their ideas, but also for their likability. However, it seems that any more, politics is 75% show-business and only 25% action (it may be more like 90 and 10) and the show-business element gets over-utilized in order to prevent action. How nice it would be for these individuals, whom were elected into office by American voters, to put forth such actions that got them their jobs in the first place, as opposed to just talking about what actions shouldn't take place - attempting to place themselves in a better light with certain demographics, as opposed to actually getting anything done.
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