A New Leader is in Town

I remain optimistic about the new House Speaker, John Boehner, Republican from Ohio. I will remain so until he disappoints me or let's the Tea Partiers take over his mentality and leadership.  This country needs calm, constructive leadership. He comes from a background that is not privileged and has worked hard to improve his place in America, like other average Americans. Ohio is state that has many challenges and he is obviously loved and respected to be re-elected time and again. Hopefully he will earn the respect of all Americans across this country as well.

His acceptance speech when sworn in as House Speaker was not partisan. He said, "the people voted to end business as usual and today we begin to carry out their wishes." I fervently hope these are not empty words. He also said "this is the people's House" and vowed to "give this government back to the American people." I hope he is not just talking about the Republican American people.

However, he needs to get over the mindset that he can't tell other Republicans "what to think." He is the House Speaker, the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives. He needs to lead his party in a responsible manner. When asked about the President's birth and citizen eligibility, he stated that the state of Hawaii says the President was born there and that was good enough for him.

I just wish he would be more forceful with all those right wing fringe believers in his party that defy common sense. The fringe lunatics are a danger to our society and will work to disrupt the business in the people's House. He needs to work hard to minimize their rhetoric in the Republican politics. While he is at it, he might want to counsel Senator Mitch McConnell, R-KY on a more bi-partisan approach to conducting the people's business in the future.

His response to the tragedy in Arizona this past weekend was respectful and non-partisan. The decision to suspend legislative action this week was the right thing to do.  So, I say, stand back, watch and wait with optimism that something new and cooperative will happen in Congress in 2011. 

Please don't disappoint us, Speaker Boehner.