When I was a young man, I learned to love ‘old movies.’ Many of them were patriotic and exalted our nation. They were post WWII and the rebuilding of our nation was in its beginnings after a vile and horrific war. Of all the movies, including those made by John Wayne, my personal favorite was “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Although it was originally made in 1939, it was replayed on multiple channels after the end of the war.

I was fortunate to have met the star of the movie in the early 1970’s when I was an employee of an airline in Los Angeles. I was in awe as I remembered him in many movies, including the former. Jimmy Stewart was a movie icon, and a great American on and off of the screen. However, the character he played in the 1939 film was bigger than life.

That was my favorite movie until 1995. The release of “The American President,” starring Michael Douglas and Annette Benning, was a fantasy portraying a president all Americans would be proud to have as the leader of the free world.

Sadly, some of the film accurately depicted the problems with our government today. Douglas’ adversary was well played by Richard Dreyfus. Dreyfus played a flag waving misogynist who garnered supporters through fear tactics.

Douglas was an intelligent and dedicated man. The influence of his staff related to his numbers in the polls initially prevented him from doing great things. When a woman entered his life, changes began. At the end of the movie he aggressively supported the wishes of the American people. He banned assault rifles, introduced legislation to protect the environment, and proposed a new crimes bill which contained common sense, and not just punishment. (This is not a film Republicans enjoy.)

All governments are intrusive and ineffective, but some are worse than others. When politicians place their future before the needs of the people, government is corrupted and the future of the nation becomes questionable.

The United States of America will never be great again until working men and women, the majority, has lobbyists, or when all lobbyists are removed from Washington. Greed has destroyed our government. One of our political parties is owned by big business and their lobbies have purchased the votes of our legislators.

I sincerely believe that President Obama had good intentions when he was sworn in on January 20, 2009, but he was slightly naïve. An additional problem became the creation of the party of obstruction who called themselves the TEA Party. In 2010 the ‘party of no,’ meaning no compromise, and no deliberation, began to destroy our government; it no longer worked for the American people.

Our nation desperately needs a man or woman like the character Michael Douglas portrayed in the movie. The middle class is disappearing, as poverty and affluence grow.

I believe that 2016 will be the most important election in our nation’s history. Will our people choose to elect someone who leads us into the future, or someone who will lead us down the ‘rabbit hole?’

2016 must be the year when the working class takes its country back from the corrupt politicians who are now living privileged lives in Washington.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Photo Courtesy of David Shankbone

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