No Leadership

I have to admit . . . I am angry. What is going on in Washington is a complete abdication of leadership in favor of posturing and political point making. The President actually walks out of negotiations (so does Rep Cantor, but Rep Cantor is not beholden to the entire Nation of 300 million people – he represents a single District) and then the President threatens the other side not to “call his bluff” . . . (one wonders whether the President has ever played poker before . . . hint, hint . . . if you are bluffing, it is best not to tell the other side . . .just for future reference B.O.) . . . then he goes in front of the cameras and lectures and patronizes legislators that he can not persuade. As if that is going to lead to anything constructive happening! I am too simple minded to understand how insulting the other side is going to lead to a breakthrough in negotiations. But then again, maybe that’s why I am not in politics.

The Democrats and Republican legislators are so wrapped up in the ‘me, me, me’ of what might happen if a budget deal is reached that actually addresses the long-recognized problems that Congress has long ignored (and hoped would go away). For decades, Congress has not done the heavy lifting that everyone has recognized for years is necessary to fix these problems. We must cut entitlement programs. The math does not work out any other way. Yes, we are also facing increased taxes, but no one trusts giving the government more of our money unless they prove to us that they are good stewards of it. And, Congress has proven the opposite for years and years. They are all scared to face the electorate after the cutting that is necessary to save our Nation’s finances. They are scared to face the electorate after the “revenue enhancements” that are necessary to firm up our Nation’s fiscal situation. The legislators are just plain scared.

Many of them will be voted out of office in 2012. That is a fact. And, another fact is that none of them want to lose their jobs. Let’s face it. Being a Senator or Congressman is not a bad gig. So they are doing what they must in order to save their own skins (and this includes the President, by the way, although he has an opportunity to do something historic that will help set our Nation on a path towards a sounder fiscal house) and we, the taxpayers, the homeowners, the voters . . . are basically along for the ride and condemned to whatever outcome these nincompoops come up with.

The all knowing stock market thinks there is a deal at hand. And, there better be. But, then if that is the case, and a deal is at hand . . . what was the point of putting us through all this? Showing the World that they can not count on us? Allowing our bond rating to deteriorate before our eyes? Posturing for special interest groups? Further degrading what most of us think of our elected officials?

Final Word: get your act together and do the hard work necessary to fix our Nation. We elected you to do that (including you, Mr. Obama) and you better do that . . .or face the wrath of the electorate in November, 2012.