Elephant in the Room & the State of the Union

If there ever was a time for transparency, it is now... and it didn't really happen.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - Yes, the title was intentionally a pun. The President's State of the Union address avoided the obvious. There is a huge chasm between Democrats and Republicans, worse than ever, and the disdain held for one another is at an all-time high.

In fact, a huge climate change is easier to prove right now in the partisan spirit of the White House and Congress than with our environment. (The President may also attest to this after trying to refer to "the overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change" during his speech.)

President Obama, in his first State of the Union address, tried his best place himself above the politics and partisan attacks, scolding both sides for continuing their campaigns instead of getting to work.

"Each time lobbyists game the system or politicians tear each other down instead of lifting this country up, we lose faith. The more that TV pundits reduce serious debates into silly arguments, and big issues into sound bites, our citizens turn away.

"No wonder there's so much cynicism out there.

"No wonder there's so much disappointment."

How refreshing it would have been for him to admit to the shenanigans that took place in the White House regarding these same activities. How I wish he would have said, "There have even been loose lips in the White House, but from now on we will be treating those who differ with respect and give them the hearing they deserve.

The behavior of Congress, during his watch, has been incredulous. The lack of civility for fellow politicians, and even the voter, is epidemic. We expect it from the Al Franken's of the Senate, whose previous life was built upon the insult.

The smoke-filled room of Tammany Hall politics has taken root in both houses, except without the smoke. How different from the change prophecied during the 2008 elections - where everyone would sit around a table, friend and foe alike, and work everything out in front of America.

The transparency and bi-partisan rhetoric promised during that election year fell into the sea of forgetfulness as democrats met behind closed doors on health care reform, even ignoring the reminder from C-SPAN concerning coverage.

"But if anyone from either party has a better approach that will bring down premiums, bring down the deficit, cover the uninsured, strengthen Medicare for seniors, and stop insurance company abuses, let me know."

What about the legitimate plans and proposals that were put forth from the minority party? What about the wave of opinion that swept across America during the Town Hall meetings? What about the large shouts from both sides of the aisle concerning the rights of the unborn with respect to healthcare?

There's an elephant in the room and it's not the GOP, per se. It is the disrespect and disregard of fellow lawmakers by those who should learn to behave. It is the default to name-calling that takes place when an ideological difference is present, whether it comes from another member of congress or a constituent.

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online. He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church in 2006.

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