Taking Responsibility...

Hopefully, everyone had a lovely weekend.  The weather has been a little stormy around these parts, but very conducive to reading.

Like most Americans, my expertise is not in political science, economics or world finance, nor have my inclinations ever steered me in those directions.  Making a living and dealing with the problems of raising a family in an ever more complicated world has taken priority.  I can only hypothesize from my personal research, but this scenario appears to hold true for most citizens in the USA.

The majority of the voting population has become laxed in their democratic responsibilities and allowed 'others' to choose who makes decisions for them in Washington.   Because of this laziness, Congress has developed a habit of pleasing the ones putting them in office and passing partisan legislation littered with foolish earmarks on their behalf.  We have allowed representatives to ignore our complaints and either lie or side step the truth when we demand explanations.  AND...These situations are OUR FAULT for not holding them responsible!

As a result, good old boy politics have gradually weakened the foundations of America.  Under the precept of 'the greater good', they have disregarded the welfare of the entire country in favor of their OWN priorities, made unprecedented intrusions into our personal lives, trespassed on our Constitutional rights, involved our nation in several politically motivated wars and brought us to the brink of bankruptcy.  The wealthy have gotten wealthier and the rest of us have gone the other direction. Yet we continue to huddle in our declining complacency. 

Now, the USA is suffering from extreme, financial, morbid obesity, but Congress refuses to breach party lines to effect positive changes.  Washington's bulimic cycle of minimal restraint, massive overindulgence and financial binging is perpetuating catastrophic problems across the board.  The nation's blood pressure is rising and we are hovering on the brink of a stroke.

It is time the citizens of this country band together.  With few exceptions, we have allowed Washington to do as they please for so many decades, breaking their cycle seems an undaunting task.  But it must be undertaken!  Elected officials are sucking the life blood out of America while we sit silently grumbling behind closed doors. WE MUST ACT NOW!

Don't wait till the elections!  Washington doesn't want to deal with us on an hour to hour basis.  Write letters, make calls, send emails and faxes.  If you have trouble expressing your feelings, find an article or someone else's words that you agree with, copy it and forward it with a note saying this is EXACTLY THE WAY I FEEL!  Tell your elected officials to start working together.  Demand answers. 

When you get a generic email or form letter, get on the phone, fire off more letters, faxes and emails!  Don't let these people off the hook or turn a deaf ear.  Let them know you will not stop until changes for the better are in place.  Most important to the whole process is getting all your friends and family to do the same thing.  EVERYONE must be relentless and in the battle for the long haul...

If we can force Congress to focus on the real issues facing this country...health, education, the wars, the plight of the poor and excesses in the system...huge strides will be made to balance the budget and get our bottom line healthy again. HOWEVER, if we allow them to distract us with emotionally charged social agendas, the real problems facing America will never find resolution.  Congress will continue business as usual and MAKE MATTERS WORSE.

Think about it.  We, the people, are the only ones that can force Washington to adhere to their oathes of office and the job they were elected to do...UPHOLD THE TENETS OF THE CONSTITUTION.  The alternative is unexceptable...