Say it isn’t so
Everyone is (or should be) familiar with Robert Reich. He is former Secretary of Labor under President Clinton and vocal critic of all things political. Reich also served under Presidents Ford and Carter, and he was a member of President Obama’s economic transition advisory board. Given his experience, Reich is certainly an expert on Washington politics, and he minces no words. In his recent op ed for the Guardian, where he now serves as a regular columnist, Reich gives us a different view of our representatives.
Anyone who runs for public office has some type of ego. You don’t see too many “shy, retiring” types running for public office or much of anything else that puts them in the public spotlight. That is a given; however, as Reich points out, some go beyond mere ego. Reich lends this behavior to a couple of issues. One is corporate donations, which once accepted donors’ happiness becomes the primary focus. Senator Raphael Warnock is an example of the opposite. He is vocal that he takes no PAC money and that his campaigns run on everyday donors. This is an indication of his intent to hold office for the people he represents. Sinema and Manchin both fall into the former category, but Reich believes their biggest problem is ego. He said that “Manchin’s and Sinema’s are now among the biggest.” Why? Because of all the attention they are getting for being ornery.
As Reich points out, no one outside of West Virginia had any idea who Joe Manchin is, and even fewer knew Sinema, even inside of Arizona. Now, they are “Washington celebrities.” Because they have been against President Biden’s agenda and the Democratic agenda overall, they are news outlets’ top stories, and they are loving the attention. Reich believes this attention addictive: “Once it seeps into the bloodstream, it becomes an all-consuming force. I’ve known politicians who have become permanently and irrevocably intoxicated.” He likens it to a form of narcissism that is only prevalent in Hollywood, Wall Street, and now, the United States Senate. It is what happens when people begin to revel in power, which is all-encompassing and dangerous. According to Reich, Manchin’s staff asked the Biden administration not to “blame” Manchin for delaying President Biden’s Build Back Better program, and they were “infuriated” when it seemed that Manchin was to blame. Reich said that he has been told that before Manchin will even consider discussing this program again, President Biden must rename the legislation. Seriously? This is not about Joe Manchin, but you obviously cannot tell him that. Now, he believes he holds the power in getting this legislation passed, and he will use that power to the fullest.
Narcissism is not a good trait for politicians. They were elected to serve the people, not themselves. Robert Reich has a good handle on what is going on with Manchin and Sinema and why they refuse opportunities to help their constituencies and the rest of America. We need fewer people like this in office and more who want to do what the job was designed to provide: representation of the people.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years