The Care and Feeding of the Wild Politician

Although its been asked before, what happened to the honour of service to country, the Mr. Smith who went to Washington, statesmanship? Our elected representatives have become whores, telling us what we want to hear, making us feel good and yet playing on our fears all to gain our trust and line their own pockets. We have let this happen by ignoring the growth in holding elected office as a lifetime career. I can't help but be reminded of all those Republicans who ran for office promising not to run for re-election. Not one kept their promise. Once they moved in, they became entrenched and there was no way they were going to be evicted. The lure of power, prestige, perks and money is simply too much to give up. Add a population with no patience, no memory, and no understanding of issues and you start providing these pols with energy food. They use the extreme anger and animus to exploit the public in order to stay on their career path. The legislative requirements to resolve our health care access, outsourcing, unemployment, finance, deficits, social security, medicare, medicaid, foreign policy, two wars and the worst economic downturn in generations are huge. Why on earth would anyone assume the 20 month old administration could resolve all these matters in such a short time, especially in a climate of just say no? Its because they have been stoked by pols and their pacs to be angry and to take that anger to the voting booth so the whores can be elected or re-elected. Politicians will eat this with both cheeks full. Finally you can't discuss politicians without mentioning their groupies and coattailers. These are the entertainers who stuff the mouths of extremists to promote their political buddies and enhance their own fortunes. The following quote says it well; "Oh, the gifts the haters like Beck, Palin, Limbaugh, Cheney, Rove, teabaggers and neocon wingnuts have bestowed on the mindless sheep - hate, fear, ignorance, intolerance, racism, religious zealotry, bigotry... a dark time for the US, indeed! Our founding fathers would be so ashamed.." (attributed to williamonmagnolia : Comment from 10/12/10 opinions AP online article Muslim Cemetery Zoning in NY State locality ).

Gang, we have lost control of our country and its not because President Obama hasn't done a decent job. Its because we keep feeding the politicians. They need to be set free, to roam in their natural environment and stay far away from civilization. Its time for term limits. If we-the-people are ever to regain control, its imperative that we stop allowing elected positions to be a career. One term in office in service to their country, actually representing their constituency. Its not a pipe dream and it is mandatory. Nothing is going to get better until we do. Whether you are a tea potter or tree hugger, if we don't come together as Americans to do this, I fear we really are in deep trouble. We talk about extremism from the middle east but if continued, the current political extremism here in the USA will surely cause more damage than any foreign terrorist.

I know I have painted politicians with a broad brush but its not just for effect. Our government is not listening and the message needs to be sent that whatever your politics, we must revert to a civil discourse and get work done by placing the needs of the many over the bank accounts of the politicians.

Thats my opinion.