Washington--Enough!

Washington--Enough!

Once upon a time I believed in our government.  I believed that those elected to serve us held themselves to a high calling.  I believed they were people of integrity and honesty.  They were given the right to speak for all of us.  I consider that an honor.

That was long ago in a different place and time.  What has brought us to this place?

Probably many things.  One possibility is that once these newly elected folks arrive in Washington, they learn that nothing is as it seems. Everything comes with a price.  And they quickly learn who is in control.  They learn to play the game to get part of what they promised.  They learn to follow party lines if they have any hope of being successful.  After all, re-election begins the minute after the votes are counted.  So, much is at stake.

It isn't long until they begin to sound like everyone else in Washington.  It is as if brains and common sense are left somewhere along the way to their dream, and no one remembers where those two most important parts of being human were left.  Common sense means nothing.  Playing the game of politics means everything.  Should these new people to Washington have an original thought, it is squelched.  Playing the game is everything.

In real life we value the opportunity to evaluate situations and perhaps even change our minds.  We know that sometimes we need more information or more counsel prior to making an important decision.  Not so in politics.  No one is given the opportunity to make a different choice.  That would be flip-flopping.  Bad, Bad, Bad.  However, in real life, where we all live, we value those who take a second or third look at circumstances.  We appreciate someone who backs away from an original plan when something better comes along.  Another way these folks who mean well begin to sound like everyone else.  Must not be disloyal to the party even if it is clearly in the wrong.

No one trusts the Washington folks anymore.  We don't want to hear their hollow words.  We are tired of those who have been in DC  way too long telling us how to think and what to think.  We want change.  Yes, and we want it now.  The perks received by those who "serve" us are perks that need to be abolished.  Or give those same perks to all working Americans.   Pass the goodies around to us all.

When did compromise become a dirty word?   Give and take is how the world works.  I get part of what is important to me and so do you.  We study the challenge, knowing that we will each have to give up parts, and then we decide how to compromise.  Yes, this is most difficult.  Some of the issues that are debated are moral and ethical issues best left to individuals.  I don't need the government telling me what to think about those types of challenges.  Get on with the business of making sure we are secure, have jobs, can live in peace with other nations, make war the absolute last resort.  Take care of those who are suffering due to mental illness, and those who are unable to take care of themselves.  A nation is judged by how it takes care of the least--the ones on the fringe--the ones who need food and shelter.

And while I am at this, let me say that I don't need news commentators telling me what I just heard.  As Americans we need to study the issues from all sides ourselves.  Which commentator should we trust?  Who is truthful?  Who is simply filling the air with nothing?  What is their agenda?  Who do they speak for?  Everyone talks above everyone else.  Everyone talks at the same time as others.  It goes against everything we teach our students about communication.  Let's turn off the round table discussions and find out for ourselves.

Term limits--yes, term limits.  I think we need to clean house in DC.  We need to send people home where they can make millions speaking, writing, consulting, teaching.  Remove them from the decision making process and let them soar in new ways.  I don't care how much money they make in the private sector.  I just don't want them getting rich on my dollar when they were sent to serve.

You know this blog has no end.  It can go on and on.  I usually don't write about politics.  But, it is past time for us ordinary citizens to step up and say enough is enough.

If you have ideas, please send them to me.  Together we just might be able to make this country the place of hope it has always been.  We are too good to allow this to continue.

What are your thoughts?