Playing Politics

Politics is a game for some folks. In our Federal government, our state governments, and at the local level, there are individuals who see politics as a win/lose game. They are opportunistic, manipulative, and devious in their efforts to have their way prevail. This game for them often is life or death for so many who depend on our governments at all levels to do the right thing for the people.

Wouldn't you call the little game that Speaker Boehner and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel are playing opportunistic, manipulative and devious? Well, THE NEW YORK TIMES did just that last month. In an opinon piece, the editorial board called it "Playing Politics on Iran." They called out both politicians this way, "Lawmakers have every right to disagree with presidents; so do foreign leaders. But this event, to be staged in March a mile from the White House, is a hostile attempt to lobby Congress to enact more sanctions against Iran, a measure that Mr. Obama has rightly threatened to veto." http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/24/opinion/john-boehner-benjamin-netanyahu-playing-politics-on-iran.html?_r=0

The rift between The White House and Netanyahu has only grown since that January article. Democrats believe this visit at this time is destructive to the relationship between the US and Israel. Susan Rice was quoted in a BBC article as saying, " "We want the relationship between the United States and Israel to be unquestionably strong, immutable... regardless of which party may be in charge in either country," she told PBS television." http://www.bbc.com/news/31626875

At this writing nearly two dozen Democrats have stated their intention to boycott Netanyahu's speech. http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Which-Democrats-plan-on-skipping-Netanyahus-speech-to-Congress-392155

THE CHICAGO SUN TIMES has called on Senator Dick Durbin and ALL Democrats to boycott the speech.  http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/7/71/396333/durbin-dems-boycott-netanyahu-speech

The TIMES gives some very good reasons for their stance, including sending a message that the United States will not be "manipulated once again into supporting another war Americans don’t want."  So, why aren't all Democrats in unison about this boycott? Perhaps they are caught between publically supporting Israel and trying to back our President. What do you think? What would you have your representative do? Attend the speech or boycott it? Why not let them know?