Wiston Papers

Reason to Celebrate or Not?

Nancy Pelosi and Queen Elizabeth II…both celebrating milestones.  Representative Pelosi 25 years in the U.S. Congress; Queen Elizabeth 60 years as the British monarch.

I’m assuming that both are nice people and can understand why people close to them would want to observe their time in the public eye.

There are differences however. And they are critically important.

First, Queen Elizabeth is popular because she is living symbol of the British Empire. A reminder of bygone splendor. Nancy Pelosi is a divisive personality. A highly partisan Democrat who stirs the political waters rather than calming them.

Second, Queen Elizabeth has been on the throne since 1952, has virtually no political power, and thus has done no harm. Nancy Pelosi is a 25-year-career politician who, as so many of her geriatric colleagues in Congress, has been in Washington too long. She is part of the problem that embroils America—not part of the solution.

Third, as the United Kingdom and the rest of the world celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee, there is increased speculation as to when she will step down and hand over the crown to her successor. There is some joy in contemplating the end of a benign reign and the much anticipated lavish coronation of either her son Prince Charles or grandson Prince William.

Nancy Pelosi shows no sign of abdicating and the specter of her further contribution to America’s political dysfunction and partisan stalemate on Capitol Hill can only be cause for trepidation. There is no joy in this prospect.

Yes, let’s toast to the good health and continued service of Queen Elizabeth II. But let’s note with sadness that Representative Pelosi—as well as her entrenched colleagues—will likewise be around for too many more years.

Again, they may be nice people. But their impact on their respective nations is dramatically different.

Steve Coon

June 09, 2012