We live in a time of change and the political and financial events currently unfolding now have a life of their own separate from our political leadership. We could have avoided this.
We have the means to influence present events but this requires a moral and political courage that is rare today. Leadership once defined itself as the will and means to lead the country consistent with its principles and moral imperative.
Try to find this in our present political leadership, regardless of party. You are more likely to find Diogenes before you find political courage in Washington, D.C.
The sad part is we have squandered an opportunity. Our present political leadership is guilty of nibbling and compromise, and our loyal opposition has decided that being an obstructionist is to their advantage.
As a result we have a hodgepodge of regulations and programs that few understand and less are happy with. What we do understand is the total gridlock our political system has become. Add to this a disappearing middle class and you have the recipe for disaster.
After we saved Wall Street which was necessary, we focused on the future while the present was beginning to crumble around us. This was not only short sighted it lacked the intellectual and political will to do what was necessary.
What we are left with is a very unhappy electorate with few real choices. Yes, we have differences in party philosophies. But do you see the leadership from either party overcoming the deadlock that now exists?
Everyone knew we needed today’s jobs today and that meant rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure. Just look at what China has accomplished by doing this. We needed massive amounts of stimulus to fund the jobs and materials necessary, and not tokens to appear around election time.
The future is easy to sell since it never comes and our politicians can always create hope with mirrors and promises. This makes painting a glowing future relatively easy to sell.
However, when you survive in the present you have to produce. This requires political courage that neither of our political parties seems to have. God bless America, because God may be our only answer.
There is one other hope as unlikely as it might seem. Maybe Americans will show up in Washington instead of Democrats and Republicans.
Abe Surdity, Bureau Chief, Pizzaonian News Network, Worldonia - (Untied States)
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