The President’s recent speech to the Congress is a good example. All four political camps were present: republican, democrat, conservative and liberal. All were ready to pounce on the first “gotcha” moment that the President’s words teed up.
Opposing viewpoints seemed to agree with some statements—it would be political folly to disagree with truisms or generalities—and at other times spontaneous applause was muffled by those who deemed it bad form to show enthusiasm or agreement with a presidential point.
At the extremes, however, were the waves of applause or boos, the placards and mysterious stacks of paper to wave from time to time. Ultimately, there was the “You Lie” statement shouted rudely at the President.
How can the work of the people be done in this environment? It is not productive. It is not even honest. It is manipulative, designed as part of a power struggle. And not very well at that. Who gains? Who loses? What about the work that needs to be done?
Blame? There is plenty to go around. But the work, people, the work. It needs doing. Why are we playing games while our nation suffers? Why is ideology revered as the trump card? Is it because we expect so little from our elected representatives? Are we afraid to study the issues in order to understand them? Are we lazy? Are we irresponsible?
The charade that passes for national governance is, in actuality, a national disgrace. I expect more from Congress. I expect an honest examination of the facts and a heartfelt search for optimal solutions, using a truly logical analysis.
We expect this in our business life. We expect it in our schools. We expect it in our local governments. Why don’t we expect and insist upon the same in our national venues of government?
It’s a shame!
