More than anything else, last week’s vote to fill the vacant
Senate seat in Massachusetts with a Republican had all the earmarks
of an anxiety attack. Those without jobs are frustrated because
they are out of work with few prospects. Those with jobs are either
worried about keeping them or concerned that the lousy economy is
going to stick them with the massive bailout bills, probably
both.
More than anything else, last week’s vote to fill the vacant Senate seat in Massachusetts with a Republican had all the earmarks of an anxiety attack. Those without jobs are frustrated because they are out of work with few prospects. Those with jobs are either worried about keeping them or concerned that the lousy economy is going to stick them with the massive bailout bills, probably both.
I’d like to think that it was a protest generated by the public’s revulsion against the base corruption displayed by blatant vote buying and horse-trading with taxpayer funds, but I doubt it. The electorate rarely gets excited unless the opposition acts without scruples; they rarely criticize those they support. “He may be a crook, but he’s my crook,” has been the political watchword for as long as I can remember.
For their part, too many politicians are like some unthinking doctors who occasionally claim, “The operation was a success – but the patient died.” In the private sector, the bottom line is a cruel master; if the patient – your business – dies, you failed. In government, it’s too much about process, too little about making things work.
I don’t know where we are going from here, but I fear it’s just more of the same. Both parties are locked into their political philosophies instead of practical, workable solutions. They are busy trying to pound square pegs into round holes and never mind the splinters. The prospect of a little solid progress does not seem to attract any support; all the bets are double or nothing and they are consistently rolling snake eyes.
One thing that could shore up support would be to put the public employees, especially the political appointees, at the same risk most workers face every day. The reward for doing a good job is that you get to keep it; do a bad job and you’re out. It will send the message that we will stop subsidizing incompetence with the taxpayer’s money.
Good economies are built from the ground up by private enterprise, not from the top down by government fiat. Government investment should go to good companies that have demonstrated they know what do with the capital, not merely to groups and organizations that are politically connected.
At some point, our elected representatives must stop worrying about their personal political futures and start worrying about the nation. Were they really elected to sell their votes to the highest bidder inside or outside the government? If they are allowed to do so without penalty, the situation is hopeless. The power to dissuade them lies with the voters. I believe those voters would appreciate some slow, steady progress.Â
The political class should put their grand ideas aside for a while; we need to get through this rough period before piling any more debt on the national credit card.
We’ve had more than enough speeches, demonizing and finger pointing from both sides; it’s time for some modest, but effective action.
