Weekly Columns

Considering the presidential election cycle, terrorist threats at home and abroad and President Obama’s attempt to nominate a new justice of the Supreme Court, the coming months are certain to bring their fair share of drama. However, in the midst of these contentious circumstances, it’s important to note what isn’t adding to the turmoil for a change. Because of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, there has been no threat or even talk of a government shutdown this year.

Since 1987, the month of March has been celebrated as Women's History Month in the United States. This occasion rightly shines light on the numerous and lasting contributions of American women throughout our history. Certainly, we look back with admiration on trailblazers of the past and remember the invaluable role they played in shaping our past, present and future. But we also look ahead in anticipation, for the potential of the next generation of women leaders is great indeed.

After seven long years under the Obama Administration, I wish I could claim to see light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, no matter who is elected to succeed the current president, it will take time, real solutions and tough decisions to help the nation recover from the consequences of President Obama’s misguided policies and failed leadership.

As the president’s time in office grinds to an end, I am disappointed—but not surprised—that he continues to advocate for the closure of Guantanamo Bay. Campaign promise or not, the dangerous terrorists at Guantanamo do not belong on American soil. Unfortunately, the president’s latest insistence on closing the terrorist detention center is the same tired plan he’s unsuccessfully pushed for the past seven years. And just like the last seven years, his latest proposal is dangerous, contrary to federal law and deeply unpopular with both parties in Congress and with the American people.

Like most rhetoric coming from President Barack Obama, his latest budget was filled with initiatives that sound good until you get into the details, especially the details regarding how to pay for these initiatives. This couldn’t have been more clear than in the method he proposed to deal with health threats to society posed by diseases like cancer and conditions like opioid abuse. While the president saw the value of enlisting biomedical and scientific researchers to deal with these problems, his proposed plan to pay for these policies is extremely irresponsible.

In what has become an annual event, last week President Obama released a budget proposal that has no basis in reality. This year, he again ignored our nation’s crushing burden of debt and the outdated entitlement programs that are driving it and instead offered a proposal that raises taxes on job creators and proposes billions of dollars of additional spending for new government programs.

Clearly, the threat posed by ISIS/ISIL in the Middle East isn’t diminishing and the need to do something to protect the United States and our friends abroad is more urgent than ever. Considering the escalating conflict in the area occupied by the terrorist group, attacks against our allies and direct threats surfacing in America, it is past time for thoughtful debate to take place, a clear strategy to be agreed upon and decisive action to be taken to destroy this barbaric enemy.

After seven long years, the damaging consequences of President Obama’s liberal agenda and policies become even more glaring by the day. Instead of confronting the serious challenges that desperately needed his attention, leadership and willingness to work with the legislative branch after he took the oath of office, the president has chosen throughout the entirety of his administration to ignore some of the most pressing issues facing the American people.