Another round in the political blame game

By Olivia Biagi
Collegian Staff
October 18, 2006

It was not even two days after news hit the United States that North Korea tested a nuclear device when our congressmen began another round of their favorite game: the Blame Game. Instead of discussing the matter, and perhaps how the American government should react or any precautions it should take in order to protect the American people, The New York Times reported on Wednesday, Oct. 11 that Republicans and Democrats alike began pointing fingers at one another over who was responsible for allowing North Korea to obtain nuclear power.

The immaturity started in Michigan, according to the Times, where possible 2008 presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., stated: “I would remind Senator Clinton and other Democrats critical of the Bush Administration’s policies that the framework agreement her husband’s administration negotiated failed.”

Claire McCaskill, a Democratic Senate candidate from Missouri, stated: “I have been very adamant that we are not safer since 9/11.”

The Times also reported that McCaskill has “spent months saying that Mr. Bush paid too much attention to Iraq, while ignoring threats like North Korea.” It also reported that most Democrats are now saying “I told you so” to Republicans.

What tells me about American politics is that it is nothing more than a bunch of crap. Republicans want to blame an administration from 10 years ago, and Democrats want to blame the current administration for paying “too much attention” to a country we are currently at war with. Firstly, if we should have been more concerned about North Korea from the start, why didn’t anyone say so? Did any congressperson stand up and say, “Wait a minute here, I think North Korea poses more of a threat to our national security than Iraq.” Democrats are saying, “We told you so,” but what is it exactly that they told us?

Our congressmen and congressional candidates need to realize that every time they point one finger at someone else, three fingers are pointing back at them. But, unfortunately, long gone are the days of presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman, and the motto “The buck stops here.” It appears no one today wants to take responsibility for anything in the government, present administration or past.

I strongly believe that there is not a single politician today who cares more about the interest and safety of the American people than re-election. In 2002, when the Bush Administration asked to use military force in Iraq, the majority of Americans were for it, as they were still caught up in patriotic pride brought on by 9/11. Not surprisingly, 77 senators and 296 representatives voted yes on the war. Their votes were not based on reports or the good of the people: they were based on what the people wanted at that time because that is what would keep them in office.

The only reason why congressmen are up in arms over North Korea’s nuclear capabilities is because Election Day is not far away, and someone needs to shoulder the blame in order to secure a place in Congress.

biagio1@lasalle.edu