Our daily newspaper's lead editorial today and all but one of the columnists damn Republicans in no uncertain terms for the dead lock in Congress- and the Shut-down. It is totally our fault. I respectfully disagree- the President, the Senate and the House all are responsible for the morass and impasse. But so is the public. We elected all these politicians. Most of us probably cast our votes based on two major factors:
1. Ideology: Generally, those who voted Democrat believe people are basically good and when they go wrong or have a hard time in life, it is primarily the result of external circumstances and environment. The major solution to their problems is, then, to change the circumstances and environment. Beginning with late 19th Century- early 20th Century Progressive era, but kicking into high gear with the New Deal in the 30s and and ramped up big time with the War on Poverty and Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and continuing through this Day, many people have become persuaded that the primary responsibility for making the external changes that improve people's lives falls to the Government. And now, after some 80 plus years of indoctrination about this, they demand that help and depend on it. Hence, among other rights and benefits, they believe the government is responsible for Universal, Gov't mandated and controlled, Health care. Whatever specific issues are being debated, underlying them all is this deeply grounded Ideology.
Conservatives and Libertarians (maybe the other half of all Americans) take the opposite point of view about the purpose of Government. Hence, We the People, are divided and have deadlock. The real struggle is a conflict over Ideology, not only Obamacare.
2. Dependence: Many dumped on Mr Romney for saying, during his run for the Presidency, that 47% of Americans depend on the Federal Government. Whether the percent is accurate or not, millions of us do indeed depend on some form of Government aid. There are tax deductions, exemptions, exceptions and credits. Everyone knows there is much pork in the Budget with all kinds of subsidies, welfare and stimulus monies coming to a town near us. There are entitlements that no one is willing to give up. And now, Health care for everyone, much of itto be paid for by the Government.
If we are truly serious about cutting expenditures or balancing the Federal Budget, all of these things have got to be on the Table. But we who elected our President, Senators and Representatives do not seem to be serious about doing any that. We are as stubborn as the Politicians. They do in fact represent us, including our selfishness or the pursuit of self interest at any expense. Want real change? Change the ideology and give up the dependency. The worst enemy of our Nation is us. Neither side can win- both must be willing to compromise and do it!
