by Frank Li
This is the ninth article of the series: “Towards An Ideal Form of Government”.
In my 2/24/2012 post (American Democracy: What Went Wrong and When?), I asked:
“How long can a country stay at the top when its top politicians, systematically and consistently, serve themselves first, their constituents next, and their country last?”
In this article, I will highlight the massive falsehoods in American democracy at the very top around one theme: getting re-elected ad nauseam. I will use three examples (1) Vice President Biden; (2) President Obama; and (3) the American Presidency.1. Vice President Joe Biden
On July 10, 2010, Mr. Biden appeared on the Jay Leno show and said something like this:
“Over the years, I have learned not to question people about their motives – just look at the things on the table (e.g. a proposed legislation) and deal with them.”
I was stunned upon hearing that: Joe is unreal, because motivation is often where analysis should start, just as in CSI. Then I realized Joe could have been telling the truth (as he often does, awkwardly): There is only one true motivation among Joe’s political friends and foes: getting re-elected ad nauseam. Everything they do serves that purpose! So if they would all question each other about the motivation, life would have stopped right there and right then! In other words, it is the “don’t ask, don’t tell” thing in American politics that Joe accidentally revealed to the world!
Still unconvinced about this “getting re-elected ad nauseam” thing? Listen to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg by clicking here!
2. President Barack Obama
Like most American career politicians, President Obama serves, throughout his first term, for one supreme purpose only: getting re-elected ad nauseam. Three examples:
- The Afghan War: Read “For Obama the Road to Reelection Runs through Kabul.”
Here is an excerpt: “The real goals of the Afghanistan escalation are domestic and electoral … The real purpose of these 300,000 soldiers is to make Obama look tough as he heads toward the next US presidential election.” While the reality is debatable, the perception alone is frightening! Michael Hastings’s article (The Runaway General) further confirms the perception. Worse yet, it is patently obvious that the troop withdrawal plan was timed perfectly for his re-election schedule. Apparently, no price is too high for us to pay for his re-election! - 2012 State of the Union Address: Here is what Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said: “It was a campaign speech.” While there should be no surprise to partisan talks nowadays, there is a lot of truth to his assessment. Any doubt? Watch the speech (again) yourself by clicking here!
- 2012 Budget: Here is what Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said: “No, I don’t plan to bring a budget to the floor this year.” It has been more than 1,000 days since the Senate last passed a budget! Game on! Politics tops everything, and to hell with the country!
It’s not entirely fair to blame President Obama alone for this. Rather, this has actually been a big part of the American Presidency! Any doubt? Let’s review.
3. The American Presidency
Like most American career politicians, an American President serves his first term, in modern time at least, for one supreme purpose only: getting re-elected ad nauseam. As a result, many recent American presidents damaged America severely by introducing, during their first term, mega social programs that were predestined to fail, or even launching a massive pre-emptive war as in Iraq. No, no price is too high for a re-election. Five examples:
- FDR: Social Security (introduced in 1935). It is the biggest Ponzi scheme ever!
- JFK: Public-sector unions (permitted in 1962, Executive Order 10988). They are totally communistic and must therefore go! This one has done so much on-going damage to America that I don’t think history will be very kind to President Kennedy!
- LBJ: Medicare and Medicaid (both introduced in 1965). We have been borrowing to pay for them since their inception!
- GWB: Iraq War (launched in 2003). I believe President George W. Bush launched the Iraq War, at least partially, for the sake of his re-election.
- BHO: Obamacare. It was introduced in 2010 when we could least afford it.
Let me emphasize again: All five things mentioned above “happened” to occur during the first term of these Presidents! A coincidence? No! All of them were introduced to maximize the chance of their re-elections; each happened to be causing maximum damage to America after their term as President. For more, read: 10-Point Democracy Manifesto and American Democracy: What Went Wrong and When?
4. Closing
It’s time to face the truth: American democracy does not work (any more)! My solution is the only workable proposal on the table! Many of our problems can be solved with one term!
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About the Author
Frank Li is the Founder and President of W.E.I. (West-East International), a Chicago-based import & export company. Frank received his B.E. from Zhejiang University (China) in 1982, M.E. from the University of Tokyo in 1985, and Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1988, all in Electrical Engineering. He worked for several companies until 2004, when he founded his own company W.E.I. Today, W.E.I. is a leader in the weighing industry not only in products & services, but also in thought and action.
Dr. Li writes extensively and uniquely on politics, for which he has been called “a modern-day Thomas Jefferson”(see page 31).
