"The United States still has the most dynamic economy, the strongest military, the best universities, and the most creative entrepreneurs, but our future depends in part on the health of our political system. And right now, Republicans are taking a sledgehammer to this component of the American foundation -- and they do so without embarrassment, in part because they're overwhelmed by a misguided ideology, and in part because they loathe our elected president.
This debate over New START drives the point home nicely. Top officials from the Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Obama administrations have pleaded with Republicans to be grown-ups about this, and do right by American national security. At this point, GOP officials refuse -- and can't explain why. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) announced today he'll oppose the treaty because he fears the "Soviet" threat. Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio), an alleged moderate, said today he's inclined to kill the treaty out of a fear that it "diminishes the national security of our friends and allies throughout Europe" -- apparently unaware that our friends and allies throughout Europe support ratification of the treaty Voinovich is prepared to destroy.
South Korean leaders see this and resist trade deals. Russian leaders see this and it emboldens their hard-liners. Countries around the world watch our deliberations, shake their heads, and wonder why the U.S. would choose to allow such political dysfunction to continue.
And best of all, this will get considerably worse in just a couple of months, thanks to the midterm elections.
We really have to do better than this.
—Steve Benen 4:25 PM |
