Whatever happened to responsibility and the ability to make, explain, and defend a decision?
As well as the integrity and willingness to work for the betterment of the country, even though that action may not reflect what any subpart of the country thinks is best. To me, the number of contradictions is something we, as Americans, should be ashamed of.
Not so much that they are contradictions and inconsistencies, but that we really don”t recognize them as such. Actually, I think, too many people (usually self-assumed authorities) have very little idea of the things/actions they so vigorously attack or defend.
It helps to know what you are talking about and being able to specifically explain your position on an issue.
My favorite example is government. Just on the basis of gut-feeling, no one wants to have too little or too much government, even if we knew what government is.
The easiest and most ridiculous definition is public spending, particularly when too often, people proudly crow that they have saved, but don”t bother to mention that some other agency is being forced to pick up the bill. Food stamps are examples. If the country is going to live up to the people”s wishes that starvation is frowned upon, then the guideline should be cost-effectiveness, regardless of methodology.
The House, in its wisdom, is suggesting a large reduction in food stamps. Personally, I”d feel a whole lot better about it if the House would attach an amendment that states the House is fully in favor of starvation. Might well result is smaller government. And how good is that?
I think the country should stop diddling with details and pay attention to the more important issues and their relationships.
Someone should have the guts to explain (for example) how the country can hope to reach budget break-even without increasing revenue.
Others should explain why a massive defense force should have higher priority than our children”s education. People who don”t believe that growth and unemployment is based primarily on demand should explain to the masses how wealth creates jobs and give some examples that don”t fall back on demand or plain old gambling.
And lastly, we the people, not just the wealthy elitists, should start to establish the kinds of expenses and limits that will lead to the kind of country the people want!
Guthrie “Guff” Worth
Lakeport
