Rep. Elise Stefanik’s tragic spiral into outrage politics (Guest Opinion by Brian Huba)

Brian Huba, of Saratoga County, teaches Twelfth-Grade English at an city faculty in Upstate New York.

This previous weekend, Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21) addressed the nation’s child method scarcity. On her private Twitter, Stefanik posted, “The White House, House Dems, & usual pedo grifters are so out of touch with the American people that rather than present ANY PLAN or urgency to address the nationwide baby formula crisis, they double down on sending pallets of formula to the southern border.” Not solely is that this tweet disgraceful (discover the nod to QAnon), it’s additionally dishonest.

But that’s Stefanik’s long-standing M.O. She routinely makes use of canine whistles and bold-faced lies to fabricate outrage. It’s probably the most irresponsible factor an elected official can do, however Stefanik by no means misses a beat. Or, to cite a longtime constituent I do know from New York’s twenty first, “Elise has not been productive for our district or state. Has been productive on a national level for herself.”

Earlier this 12 months, Stefanik publicly attacked a school in Mayfield, N.Y., accusing it of placing an educator on go away as a result of that educator expressed anti-mask sentiments on social media. The administration denied this, saying partially, “… the district would not put someone on leave for posting their personal opinion about the mask mandate on social media.” Then Stefanik inserted herself into the story, claiming the instructor was disciplined for posting certainly one of Stefanik’s Facebook posts in regards to the problem. The faculty known as Stefanik’s assertion(s) “misleading and inaccurate,” and Stefanik known as for the “Resignation of any and all administrators who made this wrongful determination.” Again, there’s zero proof this occurred as Stefanik describes.

When the Ukrainian warfare broke out, Stefanik trashed President Joe Biden. “Joe Biden’s weakness on the world stage has emboldened our foreign adversaries…” She noticed the bloodshed as an opportunity to attain low-cost political factors. A couple of weeks later, Stefanik penned an op-ed for the New York Post, promising to analyze Hunter Biden to the ends of the Earth when the GOP reclaims the House. In this identical op-ed, she referred to the nation’s First Family because the “Biden Crime Family,” not as soon as, twice, however 3 times. Gutter-ball politics.

I’ll spare you the story of Stefanik’s devolution from cheap Republican to Trumpian sycophant. And whereas representatives like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert certainly can’t comprehend the harm their rhetoric does, Stefanik can. To watch Stefanik use her Ivy League training to hoodwink individuals who don’t know higher is the gravest betrayal attainable. It’s additionally harmful. And she doesn’t care! Stefanik’s street by Washington is paved with the carcasses of indignant, simply manipulated constituents. Or, as Stefanik herself said, “I’m Ultra MAGA and proud of it.”

On the intense aspect, Stefanik isn’t solely a fearmonger. She’s additionally a hypocrite. When misconduct claims in opposition to ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo have been leveled, Stefanik loudly denounced him. But she gleefully accepted Donald Trump’s backing, though he’s been accused of much more heinous acts in opposition to girls.

And now we have now a mass taking pictures in Buffalo. Turns out the triggerman authored a manifesto full of whack-job concepts about one thing known as the Great Replacement Theory, which mainly says there’s an organized plan by the Left to cut back the affect of white individuals in America. Stefanik’s marketing campaign committee was criticized for an ad that claimed “Radical Democrats” have been planning a “permanent election insurrection” by granting amnesty to undocumented immigrants who would create a everlasting liberal majority in Washington.

I’m not saying Stefanik is accountable for Buffalo. But I’m saying she’s the whole lot that’s unsuitable with America. Right now she could also be able of energy. But when that is stated and carried out, she’ll land on the dropping aspect of historical past. And that makes me unhappy for her. The Elise Stefanik Story isn’t successful story. It’s a tragedy.

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