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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsEx-CIA director, defense secretary Gates: US is paralyzed
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) Former CIA director and defense secretary Robert Gates said Monday that the U.S. government is paralyzed by political polarization and careerism, which has allowed China, Russia and other rivals to make inroads internationally to America's detriment.
Gates, who served in both Republican and Democratic administrations, said in an online speech to a Florida group that partisanship has always been part of U.S. politics dating back to founders John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, but only recently has that resulted in the government being unable to tackle major issues such as the coronavirus outbreak. He said congressional members fear taking any stand or making any compromise that could harm their re-election chances.
Because of our paralysis in Washington, we can't tackle successfully any of the big challenges the country faces, whether it's education, immigration, infrastructure, Gates told the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, a nonpartisan organization that meets monthly to hear from prominent newsmakers. They are just too hard for our politicians across the board. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue.
Gates, 76 and a Republican, served as CIA director from 1991 to 1993 under President George H.W. Bush and defense secretary from 2006 to 2011 under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. His book, Exercise Of Power: American Failures, Successes, And A New Path Forward In The New Post-Cold War World, was recently published.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ex-cia-director-defense-secretary-gates-us-is-paralyzed/ar-BB15QlIN?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=hplocalnews
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)That there is no effective procedure in this polarized climate of gop traitors by which chump can be legally removed. 🤬
FirstLight
(13,360 posts)the fucking rethugs in the senate are ALL traitors IMO
Blecht
(3,803 posts)"This is not a Democrat or Republican issue.
More bothsiderism.
hibbing
(10,098 posts)I felt my stomach churn at that one. It is completely the Republican's fault as we all know.
Peace
FirstLight
(13,360 posts)I was just talking about the general gist. But you're right...both-siderism is bullshit because we ALL know who let the Impeached asshole walk...
stillcool
(32,626 posts)express themselves without paying homage to their party political agendas. He and Bolton, both sound like they're auditioning for a job.
JHB
(37,160 posts)The paralysis entirely comes from one party: The Republicans.