Why Americans are losing faith in leaders

President Obama recently addressed students at the University of Chicago Law School and chided Senate Republicans' refusal to vote on Judge Merrick Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court. Obama said it represents an increasingly "dangerous " politicization of the courts.

What he failed to mention was his action in a similar situation when President Bush nominated Judge Samuel Alito in 2006. Then-Sen. Obama voted to filibuster his nomination - that is, to deny him a vote at all.

It should be noted that during the recent debate regarding Judge Garland's nomination, the major news media never mentioned Obama's obvious contradictory position regarding Judge Alito's nomination.

However, one journalist did confront Obama regarding the change in position and it was reported that Obama responded that "senators say a lot of things."

Apparently, presidents do as well. In this case it would be called Hypocrisy.

I mention this because it illustrates why the American people are increasingly losing respect for our political leaders. It seems that those in political life, particularly those who have spent most of their adult life in government, have a different perspective.

The average American citizen wouldn't have the audacity to criticize something that they supported a few years prior because it suits their purpose.

Again, we see it when a mistake in judgment is revealed. The average American would admit making a mistake and apologize. A seasoned politician will say "I was misunderstood or was quoted out of context." To admit a mistake and apologize is apparently against the "rules."

Richard Kaiser

Elk Grove Village