Brinkmanship

Our government leaders are behaving poorly, to say the least.  We are an amusement to those around the world because our two political parties will not compromise and provide an answer to allow the raising of our debt limit.  But what is worse is the disservice our elected representatives are doing to us, their constituents.  They are putting the federal government and all of the state governments in a position to default on its obligations.  In the case of the federal government, the obligations are those which our elected officials created themselves.  Bond rating agencies are considering lowering the rating of our bonds even if there is no default!  It is not good practice to push these serious matters to the brink of disaster for the sake of politics.

It has been documented in The Economist and most news media in this country that the two opposing partisan plans at one time stood two percentage points apart, but still no agreement.  The Democratic plan called for 83% of the reduction to be in budget cuts with 17% in tax increases and the Republicans were at 85% and 15%,  respectively.  The Republicans seem to want to solve the issue for six months or so, and then be able to bring it up as a campaign issue next year.  What is more important in their minds - a stable government and economy or getting re-elected?

Where are our true statesmen in this country?  The "Gang of Six" tried, but was shot down by their own parties.  It is hard to have any respect for the political hacks who are not working for a reasonable compromise, but just like to stand in front of cameras and microphones and pontificate.  There are many other difficult issues that must be addressed, such as jobs, education, health and welfare of the people.  Yet our politicians are letting them fester while they grandstand.

It is time for a compromise - time to stand up to the far right and far left of the parties.  It is hard because there is no pork in this settlement, like there usually is.  "I will vote for it if you appropriate a little money for my district for some roads or bridges...."

So, ladies and gentlemen, start doing your jobs like the rest of us.  Maybe you'll take a little heat, but you all retire from elected office as millionaires if you weren't one going in - you can stand a little heat can't you?

For everyone else, except our elected officials, take care.  Keep a close eye on how responsible your representatives are.  Many some of them should be turned out next year for not being able to look after our interests.