America Needs you Harry Truman

America needs you Harry Truman.  As problems continue to pile up for those we send to DC, the distance the can is kicked down the road is becoming shorter-and-shorter, not surprisingly, as missed deadlines and eleventh hour deals - filled with their fair share of hurried flaws - are becoming the new normal.  For example, the Federal Government for a third year in a row has found it beyond its grasp to pass an annual budget, favoring short term stop-gap measures instead. 

Borrowing a page from High School Civics, I am reminded that Congress is a reflection of American Society and the Presidency is an aspiration for American Leadership.  It appears that Congress and the Executive Branch have forgotten this in their now seemingly endless game of brinksmanship with one and other.

I am reminded from High School History classes that it does not have to be this way.  In the years immediately following World War II, America faced much larger decisions as it stood at a crossroads of history and stepped out onto the World Stage to become a successful leader.

It was Harry Truman who enticed the “Do Nothing Congress” of his day and the two Congresses that followed to pass the Marshal Plan, approve the Berlin Air Lift, NATO, and the Police Action in Korea to name a few, often against popular opinion of the time – Congress seeing time and again the wisdom of this unlikely leader from Missouri as he reached out to them on a regular basis.  

America again needs you Harry Truman or “Harry Truman’s,” so to speak, politicians Republicans and Democrats, Liberals and Conservatives alike who put effective polices above day-to-day politics.    

Keystone Kabuki,

I welcome you to read and respond to the comments I posted below on the Daily Kos in response to a discussion about the posturing surrounding the Keystone pipeline currently taking place in DC. The link to the article is   http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/12/17/1046214/-Keystone-Cave-No,-Keystone-Kabuki?via=siderec

Just might be Kabuki Theater or dake Kabuki no Gekijou aru kamoshiremasen.  Honestly, an interesting discussion filled with thoughtful points that often miss the eye of a fast moving popular media. 

As a Japanese language student and author of an American/Japanese novel discussing current events from both a Western and an Asian perspective, 'Fischer Patriotic', (a shameless plug by the way) I am of course always appreciative and respectful of the integral role nature plays in our day-to-day lives.

Is a Gingrich vs Romney a Reagan vs H.W. Bush Redux?

Although it’s not a one-for-one comparison between 1980 and 2012, there are strong parallels developing never the less.  The most recent is a possible Gingrich / Romney nomination matchup similar to that of one which took place between Ronald Reagan and H.W. Bush in 1980.  Gingrich Romney in 2012?  President Obama should have reason to be concerned.