When President Obama was in office the far right was one of the most obstructionist congressional bodies known in modern political history. The former President’s policies were voted down time and time again, not because people were against them, but because people were against him. His landmark bill, the “Affordable Care Act,” was voted for repeal 67 times. The current President and Congress has voted to repeal the law 3 times in his first year. President Trump now faces his own obstructionist, mainly from his own party. The President will give his first State Of The Union Address on Tuesday January 30, at 9:pm. He will go thru the usual motions, telling us how his policies have made life better for us and advancing some of the policies that did not make it to his desk. He will layout his vision for our country and how it will fit into the global vision. Although the President repeatedly says he wants to put America first, he can’t do that with out the rest of the world concurring. Global politics and boardroom politics are as different as night and day. He is rapidly learning in some cases he will have to cut off his nose to spite his face if he wants keep that agenda. But one thing the President will not face tomorrow, is the stunning display of disrespect that President Obama endured at the hands of Representative Joe Wilson, the South Carolina Republican who gained well deserved infamy, after shouting “you lie” at President Barack Obama during a joint session of Congress in 2009. Yes, in front of the American people and nations from across the globe, the the South Carolina Republican said those two words, which will forever remain one of the most shameful acts in modern political history. Such was the uproar that members of Congress from both parties condemned the outburst. “Totally disrespectful”, said Senior Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), adding, “There is no place for it in that setting or any other and he should apologize immediately.” Wilson said later in a statement, This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of undocumented immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility.” President Obama accepted the apology, saying at the time that “we all make mistakes.” The Congressman later faced his own backlash as constituents hurled back his infamous line in revolt on his stand with Obama Care.
In another act of contemptible disregard for the “Office Of The President,” in May of 2015, the leader of a foreign country was allowed to speak before both Houses of Congress against a policy which was supported by the President. At no other time in history has this ever occurred. Prime Minister Netanyahu was invited to address Congress by House Speaker John Boehner, in a move that didn’t include Democrats. The plan breaks with a U.S. policy of not hosting foreign leaders who are about to face an election. The speech would usher in a freeze in U.S-Israeli relations, that would last almost a decade across President Obama term in office.
House Representative Joe Wilson (R), was re-elected in 2010 by 9 percentage points over his closest challenger and in the 2012 general election was re-elected with 96% of the vote. The Congressman is still in office. House Speaker John Boehner, resigned October 29, 2015, in the face of increasing discord and inability to get his team on the same field. Cue Tea Party. After the Speaker retired he had some choice words for Congress. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Freedom Caucus’s founding chairman, was Mr. Boehner’s main antagonist. Accusing Mr Jordan of betrayal, he speaker had this to say, “Jordan was a terrorist as a legislator going back to his days in the Ohio House and Senate, a terrorist, a legislative terrorist.” There is also a story about the Speaker being thrown against a wall and a Congressman putting a 10 inch knife to his throat. More about that here. Prime Minister Netanyahu has also had a bumpy road since speaking before Congress. Last year the PM and his wife were accused of bribery. Allegedly Israeli Police believe the couple have accepted gifts amounting to hundreds of thousands of shekels. On shekel is worth 29 cents USD. Both the PM and his wife are denying the charges.
Rep. Joe Wilson (R) S.C tells the President “You lie”, during globally televised State Of The Union Address.
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