Thursday, January 17, 2019

Freedom from Arrogant Leaders


            The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday concerns the arrogance shown by some nationally elected representatives and one in particular. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to President Donald Trump “suggesting” that he postpone his State of the Union address scheduled for January 29th until after the federal government shutdown is over. She gave security concerns for the reason for her suggestion and obviously thought that he should agree with her. After all, Pelosi thinks that she is on the same political level as the President. 

            Trump did not reply to Pelosi’s suggestion, but Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen did. She tweeted that the Secret Service is ready and willing to provide security for the State of the Union address. Other people brought up the fact that the Capitol Police are tasked with the responsibility and are not affected by the federal government shutdown.

            Today Pelosi had her wings clipped – literally. Pelosi and other Democrats were ready to board an Air Force plane for an overseas trip to Europe and the Middle East. The trip would keep Pelosi out of the country until after next Tuesday, the deadline for paychecks to go out to furloughed government workers. Trump apparently learned of the trip today and acted quickly. Just an hour before the flight was set to depart, Trump sent a letter to Pelosi. The letter stated that the trip had been cancelled and would not be rescheduled until the government reopens. He added that he needed her in Washington, D.C. in order to negotiate reopening the government.

            The fact that Trump can cancel a trip for Pelosi shows that she is not equal in power to the President even though she holds the purse strings for the nation. I wonder if Pelosi will be more motivated to come to the negotiation table now that she has been humiliated. One thing is certain, the government shutdown will not end until she gets off her high horse and starts working with the President.

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