Can't see the forest for the trees
Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 4:51AM 
It is easy to be drawn into the political debate of the day, but I want to pull back a bit and look at what is happening in the United States.
It does little good to take a side and hurl zingers at the enemy and fend off the incoming assault of pointed words with a skillful perry. The end result is the same - two closed minds reassured in their own point of view.
I for one would like to see politicians who take their responsibility seriously. I would like to see them conduct themselves with honor. It would be nice if they would study, present ideas, listen to other points of view, and work towards compromise in order to create a "more perfect union."
History shows us our politicians have not always lived up to the ideal I stated above. The above photo depicts an incident in 1856 when Massachusetts senator Charles Summer was beaten by South Carolina Representative Preston Brooks over insults and differences of opinion about slavery. You can read more about the beating here.
Our representatives have behaved badly in the past. They are ineffectual now, and I have little hope for any positive change. Each new President campaigns on this issue and promises bipartisan cooperation, but it has not happened yet.
I am a conservative, but I will not simply blame the Democrats for this problem. That is only perpetuating the problem. If our country was run like an National Football League team, the Administrative and Legislative branches of government would have been fired long ago. The NFL expects results. Politicians need only promise results and then blame the opposition to keep their jobs.
The typical politician, with good intentions gets to Washington and learns quickly to play the game or be ejected from the machine faster than the #4 Mexican platter is ejected from a person with dysentery. That metaphor may be gross, but it is quite appropriate if you think about it.
I am tired of listening to corrupt politicians beating their chest taking credit for something they should be imprisoned for. It irks me the media has stopped being the gad fly and has become the cheerleader.
What we need is principled politicians who observe the concepts of public service, honor, accountability, hard work, dedication, and fairness. We as citizens should elect on this basis. When these people get to Washington and the good ol' boy network gives them marching orders, the new politician holds true to their ideals. They call out the corruption and name names. We the electorate then vote out the unprincipled sort and elect the opposite. Eventually, we will have assembled a body of citizens who will conduct the business of our nation with honor, humility, and gratitude.
This is not a pipe dream. It is a real possibility. Our citizens need to wake up and see what is happening. They need to demand better.
We are a compassionate people and providing healthcare for all is something most of us want. However, price matters. Those who are charged with making our decisions need to approach the debate with open minds, and good ideas. Debate should be respectful. Fact checkers should keep people honest.
Ideology is killing us. What will save us is higher ground. If we could transcend ideology in the absence of a 9/11 type event, great things could happen.
Remember this the next time you vote.
Until the next time
John Strain
Reader Comments (3)
Or we could return to 1856 methods. That could work too.
It could happen.
AHHHHH It is so good to see the old John Back! Great article John!