Friday, January 18, 2013

Following the theatrics of the recent, self-inflicted “fiscal cliff” negotiations, the last thing this Constitution-loving conservative wanted to see was a worn-out rerun of “The Crying Game.” I am not talking about the psychological drama by Neil Jordan in the early 1990s. I’m referring to the predictable image of House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, weeping before his colleagues and the American people. One can understand to some degree Mr. Boehner becoming overwhelmed by emotion upon initially becoming speaker of the House, but I’m beginning to believe the tears are brought on by fear, not elation.

The only thing that piqued my interest in all of this was the prospect of the House of Representatives passing the gavel to someone who fearlessly defends fiscally conservative principals and our Constitution. Unfortunately, only nine Republicans had the courage or wisdom to attempt such a needed change.

It would be bad enough if Mr. Boehner had been successfully negotiating deals behind closed doors. However, the purse he is supposed to control no longer has strings to pull or hold it together — the direct result of his tactics. I really don’t have a problem with Mr. Boehner showing emotion. Most people probably can relate to this aspect of him and to his rags-to-riches story of having started out his working life as a youngster by mopping floors at his parents’ bar.

Americans are tired of politicians doing what’s best for their own next elections. In my opinion, after the last debt ceiling debacle, the GOP’s impotent response to the constant class-warfare drumbeat coming from the White House showed us it is definitely time for new leadership. I also believe it is time for Mr. Boehner to get reacquainted with his roots — and I would be honored to fill a mop bucket for him.

RINGO LANZETTI

McLean, Va.

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