Election reveals Paul Ryan to be worst speaker in U.S. history
Election reveals Paul Ryan to be worst speaker in U.S. history
By Robert Covington Jr.
“Reputation is the shadow. Character is the tree.” –Abraham Lincoln
During his time in office, President Obama has the unenviable distinction of having to work with, arguably, two of the worst Speakers of the House in American History via John Boehner and Paul Ryan. Their similarities are striking. For example, both acquiesced to governing under the Hastert Rule, where the Speaker attempts to pass legislation by getting the majority within of the party in power. This anti-democratic approach to governance continues to generate historic low levels of legislation passed in Congress. Both Speakers refused to address comprehensive immigration reform and neither were willing to weaken the power of the uncompromising far-right within their Republican caucus.
I’ve argued in the past that John Boehner’s porous leadership damaged U.S. democracy. The obstruction, dysfunction and appeasement that defined Boehner’s tenure were the result of a man incapable of handling the perch of power bestowed upon him. The stain of Boehner’s legacy remains in our politics today. But Paul Ryan is proving himself to be much worse than his predecessor because of who he is and what he claims to be.
Paul Ryan has cultivated an image of himself as a politician of principle, compassion and a firm believer in America’s exceptionalism. He wants the Republican Party to be viewed as implacably conservative with a firm commitment to an exchange of ideas, free market orthodoxy and limited government. His handsome looks, quiet demeanor and careful cadence in the utterance of his words projects confidence to people around him. Ryan appears to pride himself on being viewed as a politician of substance and seriousness in addressing the complexities of American society through governance. However, his tenure as Speaker of the House should permanently tarnish his image and completely shatter the myth of his intellectual and moral gravitas.
Paul Ryan promised to “fix” a broken House of Representatives but that didn’t happen. The House of Representatives remains dysfunctional and unproductive as before. Under Ryan’s leadership, his reputed influence over the far-right caucus is illusory as evidenced by his inability to pass appropriation bills and restore regular order. Professed compassion did not extend to providing necessary Zika funding to stem the tide of infection in various parts of the country. Sadly, the United States had to declare a health emergency in the commonwealth of Puerto Rico due to Zika outbreak. Ryan states he wants to address poverty in America but remains adamantly opposed to significantly raising the minimum wage. All of this points to ineffective leadership.
MORE: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/politics/291790-election-reveals-paul-ryan-to-be-worst-speaker-in-us-history
A scathing, well-deserved take-down of a pathetic, cowardly man.
= new reply since forum marked as read
