The best and worst political moments of 2013

By Winston-Salem Journal, December 28, 2013.

This week, we asked our panel to choose their own best and worst of this year’s politics.

Linda Petrou: “Best political moment was the swearing in of a Republican governor, lieutenant Governor, state House and Senate. I would give this a 10. Worse was Obamacare, which has passed by one party and sold based on a lie(s) (you could keep your insurance, your doctor and it would be cheaper and better). Not only has it ruined health care but it has also destroyed President Obama's credibility. I give this a 1.”

Carroll Leggett: “10: Congress gets the wakeup call that the American public expects more (or at least something) of them and passes a budget bill. Worst: 0. The N.C. legislature ravages the public education system while the governor barricades himself in the mansion and fiddles as the school houses burn.”

Jim Monroe: “The best and the worst are actually the same event. The re-election of President Obama to a second term is the worst travesty to befall the United States perhaps in its history. He convinced enough of the voting public that his plan for America was the best. As more of Obamacare and its related regulations filter out, it will become apparent to all but his biggest supporter that it may come close to destroying our economy. The best part of that event is that we have the best political system in the world and the next election will give the public the opportunity bring in a more centrist group. The opportunity for change is a 10. The inauguration of Barack Obama is a zero.”

Suzanne Carroll: “The best: 10 Moral Mondays to protest the reprehensible actions of the North Carolina Republican legislature.The worst: 0. Failed legislation on gun control in light of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.”

Hayes McNeill: “Worst: A new governor took office, completing the GOP sweep of the three branches of N.C. government. With their own moneymen, their own propaganda organs - public and private - they used their unbridled power to drag down N.C. into a national model of repression by passing legislation drafted by tea party puppeteers from out of state. Best: On April 29, 17 Moral Monday leaders, mostly ministers, were arrested for peacefully protesting GOP excesses against the poor and the sick, against women's rights and voting rights, against schoolchildren and the unemployed. These 17 and the thousands who were to join them were willing to endure harassment and jail to voice their opposition.”

Deb Phillips: "Humbuggery: 0 for the Obama administration barricading 24/7 open-air war memorials to citizens during the partial government shutdown, but permitting illegal aliens to rally on the National Mall. Merriment: 10 for Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley singing 'Obamacare by Morning' at the 47th Annual CMA Awards."

Patricia R. Stockmeister: “Best: 10. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park stayed open, at local expense, during the federal shutdown.”

Marva Reid: “1. Worst moment: the government shutdown that fur-loughed federal employees. It embarrassed us as a nation and showed the selfish, self-destructive ways of the Republican Par-ty. The unwillingness to compromise for the betterment of the people who voted them into office. I pray that the people will see that we must remove them from office. 10. Best mo-ment: Montravias King, a student at Elizabeth City State College, challenges voter law and wins. This not only allowed him to win his bid for city council but also allowed students the opportunity to vote in the area they go to school in. I truly believe that we must understand things have changed in this global world and we should change as well, and allow the innovations of the young begin to lead us into great things that God has in store for us.”

Andrew Smiler: “Best: ongoing economic recovery, with continued decreases in unem-ployment and growth in a variety of sectors. Worst: shutdown of the federal government. “

JoAnn Dunn: “10: I believe the best political moment of 2013, at least for N.C., was when the first Republican administration and legislature in over 100 years were sworn into office. Our state taxes were reduced and much of the fraud and waste in programs such as Medicaid are being addressed. I would rate a 0 the worst moment of 2013 which, of course, was the rollout of Obamacare. With the money paid to the Canadian company to build the terrible Obamacare website, they could have purchased health insurance for the 30 million who did not have any. Instead, now we have millions more who have lost healthcare they liked, the doctors they liked, and, in some cases, even the hospitals they preferred, and with all this mess about to swamp the country our leader is spending around $4 million to vacation in Hawaii!”

John Harrison: “Very few golden moments in politics this year. My good moment would be John Boehner's belated attempt to prove that the GOP still has semblance of leadership. The worst: a spineless, hypocritical Congress that in the face of the slaughter of innocents could not bring itself to enact even the mildest gun controls. Rate for good, 5. Rate for worst, 0.”

Ken Hoglund: “0: Finding out how much we were lied to about Obamacare. 8: the faint glimmer of hope of cooperation in Congress when the budget deal was reached by Sen. Murray and Rep. Ryan.”

Linda Hill: “0. Obamacare! The worst roll-out, website, navigators and the beat goes on.”