The Government We Deserve
We’re frustrated and angry with government. At only 43% job approval rating, President Obama leads the ‘popularity’ pack. Democrats, whose approval rate is 32%, come in second. Only 19% of voters approve of the job Republicans are doing. And Congress, charged with working together to preserve our way of life, comes in dead last, with an approval rating of 15%.
Our dissatisfaction mirrors the message in a 1920s cartoon where a railroad switchman sits in his tower watching trains speeding toward head-on collisions. The caption: What a way to run a railroad!
We’re appalled as we watch the spectacle of President Obama trying to develop his legacy, Democrats working on implementing their agenda, and Republicans hoping to forestall annihilation.
Our ‘trains’ headed for oblivion include unsustainable future social security and health care obligations; unconscionable levels of gun violence; social and economic inequality that makes the American Dream more fantasy than reality; and an expensive health care ‘system’ that is inefficient and error riddled, with distressing outcomes.
What a way to run a democracy! Our system of government is supposedly a forum for conversation and debate resulting in compromises that accommodate legitimately differing values and points of view on the role of government.
Should government equally protect everyone’s opportunities and cushion the effects of personal adversity? Or should it stay out of the way except for maximizing personal liberty?
Instead of a respectful forum for furthering our way of life, Congress is gridlocked over national debt limits and threats of a total governmental shutdown. Before 2011, the debt limit had not been controversial. Traditionally, Congress passed measures, the president signed them into law, and the treasury paid the bills. The debt limit was raised as needed.
With the recession, unbudgeted spending for wars, huge budget deficits and a burgeoning national debt, the debt limit and government spending became contentious.
Partisan disputes over spending cuts, taxes, and an economic stimulus package degenerated into gridlock and an addiction to stop-gap measures for keeping the government operating. Prospects for dealing with serious, long term problems went out the window.
The gridlock is a greed and money fueled duel for power by the political parties. Major campaign contributions influence their positions. The first loyalty of members of Congress is their political party. We elect them; they serve their party.
To advance in their party’s hierarchy, gain power, they must go along with its leaders. Occasionally, straying from the agenda is tolerated. Greater independence risks losing support during the next election.
The parties are taking us headlong towards a governmental train wreck.
To have better government, we need to earn it. We can start by making congressional candidates earn our votes. In our midst, they’re often treated like celebrities who toe the party line and are masters at the blame game.
Republicans blame Democrats for government’s failures, and visa versa. As long as we swallow their bland pabulum, they’ll continue feeding it to us and nothing will change. Everyone who’s been divorced can give details about the faults of their ex mates. Few acknowledge and are willing to discuss their own shortcomings.
Challenge Democrats who point out errors in the Republican’s positions. Ask about the weakness in their party’s positions and actions. Ask them how they contribute to the problems. Challenge them to imagine compromises that solve problems and accommodate the other side’s values.
Then decide who deserves your vote.
Good government would constantly strive to move us toward equality of opportunity for everyone, appropriately cushion everyone from adversity, and maximize everyone’s personal liberty.
It’s worth earning.
Jim Waun
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