Former President Barack Obama warned on Tuesday that “dysfunction” at the highest level of the US government is negatively impacting the nation.
Former President Barack Obama warned on Tuesday that "dysfunction" at the highest level of the US government is negatively impacting the nation, reports the Guardian. During a discussion at Rice University's James Baker Institute, he noted that the recent undermining of State Department and other career civil servants comes with a cost. Obama stated that "it doesn't just weaken our influence. It provides opportunities for disorder to start ramping up all around the world and ultimately makes us less safe and makes us less prosperous." The former president also pointed out the important role the United States often plays in solving a variety of global matters, commenting: "If there's a problem around the world, people do not call Moscow. They do not call Beijing. They call Washington. Even our adversaries expect us to solve problems and expect us to keep things running." In a recent interview with David Axelrod, Obama touched upon the difference in people's perceptions of what governing is and what it actually involves. "We have a tendency in our politics in this country to put a premium on performance art. Can they give a fancy speech? Are they quick and cool on some YouTube video? How's their banter on the late-night talk shows?" he commented. "But I tell you: A lot of the work of governing is not flashy. It is nuts and bolts, and it is a grind, and it is hard," Obama also noted.
