Tuesday was yet another moment of misleading political disappointment as two important civil rights issues failed to advance in Congress. Coat-tailing on a defense authorization bill, the DREAM Act and a repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy were voted down and stalled, respectively.
In a political climate where the standard of living is falling and important issues are having a hard time getting worked out, the nation is facing an overwhelming weight of disappointment and distrust in the ability of our government to get things done.
At a CNBC town hall meeting Monday, a middle-class Democrat told President Barack Obama she was “exhausted” from defending his administration over the last few years. She demanded to know when she would see the economic recovery that has been a floating carrot tempting the nation through foreclosures, lost jobs and tightened belts.
Although the Washington, D.C., woman, Velma Hart, cleared up some of the misunderstandings that came from telling off Obama, she certainly told the president to his face what has been shaking the faith of voters — even those who adamantly voted for our commander-in-chief two years ago.
And while we may not be keeping a running tally of Obama’s promises, we certainly haven’t seen a positive change in our lives. We realize only so much change can be expected in two years, but the anticipation for Tuesday’s votes only amplifies the disappointment that follows. It shows, if anything, that things have only gotten rowdier on the Hill.
So what is Obama’s bittersweet running tally of campaign promises?
According to PolitiFact.com’s Obameter, he has kept 122 campaign promises, broken 22, stalled on 82, compromised on 39 and still has 238 to get to work on. But there have been too many unfulfilled and unaddressed promises. Not just with the Obama administration, but in Congress and on our home turf as well.
It’s an election year, and while that should be the most opportune time for incumbents to push for the people, they’re hiding their tails between their legs and trying not to upset voters. Sen. John McCain, for example, once said he would consider reevaluating his views on DADT. But now, even in the face of a low-profile general election challenger, he has given up on ever supporting the issue.
The upcoming elections are going to be a wild toss-up. Fed-up Democrats, the novelty Tea Party, moderate Republicans and Independents are all vying for a presence — one that a discouraged nation may end up voting into office in a whirl of general indifference. Call us cynical, but despite how strongly the groups will reaffirm their positions and their commitment to changing everything, we don’t see Election Day bringing an end to the frustration.
