Archive: Opinions

Once again, under the pretense of doing what's best for the American People, Tom Reed joins lock-step with his do-nothing Republican cronies in the House, whose self-admitted single agenda is to frustrate the programs of President Obama.  ("Tom Reed Opposes Iran Deal; Seeks Input", Lansing Star 7/24).

The so-called Iran Deal has been very hard-won with years of professional diplomacy on all sides--in spite of meddling on the part of House Republicans that bordered on treason.  Yes, the proposed "deal" involves give and take, that's what successful diplomacy is all about.

What the plan does in the short-term is to stop Iran from becoming a renegade nuclear state.  In the long-term it empowers liberal factions in Iranian society and eases international tension--a significant move toward normalcy and peace.

The final irony in Reed's recent statement is that he's "seeking input" from his constituents.  Since he has a near perfect record of voting with his bosses in the Republican leadership, there's just no way he will truthfully weigh the views of people in his district. He's just too locked into the politics of polarization and the goal of frustrating President Obama's successes.

Like his reactionary cronies, he's doomed to fall on the wrong side of history.  Our best hope, in November 2016, is to throw the rascal out!

Tom Vawter
Lansing, NY

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