by David T. Bruce
With the recall elections in Wisconsin complete, the Associated Press reports that the “Democrats managed to seize two Republican state Senate seats [. . .], but fell short of the three or more they needed to take control of that legislative chamber.” The article cites that both sides claimed victory, yet some would continue to pursue recall elections in the coming year. This redundant, reprehensible rhetoric is representative of how our elected representatives conduct themselves, and this demonstrates the political mentality of our elected officials, not only in the state of Wisconsin, but in every state in the nation as well as on Capital Hill.
Kiplinger forecasts that our nation is potentially on the verge of another recession, and while business spending is up, retail sales are not half of what companies are spending. Companies may be enjoying some breathing room as the government raises the debt ceiling, continues subsidizing oil companies, and focuses on the upcoming election year. The millions of Americans who remain unemployed and the millions more Americans who are on a fixed income enjoy no such relief, as we verge on a double-dip recession.
The United States downgrading by Standard & Poor’s rating agency is yet another graphic reminder that our government is living and spending beyond its means. The knee-jerk reaction from our representatives is to eliminate what they refer to as “entitlements.”
How perverse and insulting to attach a negative connotation to a word that is supposed to reflect what citizens have earned over the years.
After many years of representing the backbone of what has kept the United States a viable global entity, you are damned right that most Americans trapped at the lowest economic level of the United States economic echelons are entitled to at least basic medical care, a safe home, and food!
Millions of dollars were spent on campaigning in the recent Wisconsin recall elections. What would have been a better use for those monies? Yet these elected officials care little or nothing for the neediest of their constituents unless they are able or willing to vote in their favor.
The behavior exhibited by those politicians closely involved with the recall elections in Wisconsin illustrates how very little they care for the people that are responsible for employing them and for the potentially disastrous fiscal crisis we border on in the coming months. As soon as they are elected, they look to the coming election or to unseating their opponents.
How pathetic.
Children behave better than those who bicker and argue over the simplest of agenda items. Were we to survey members of White House Nannies, I would suspect many might suggest (off the record, of course) that little difference exists between the behavior of some of our elected officials and that of young children. As citizens, we have the right – we are entitled – to expect better behavior from those that we charge with representing our interests. Both Democrats and Republicans may claim victory in the latest playground brawl, but all of us are the losers. All they care about is taking control.
We need to remind them that the control is ours.
