Friday, March 27, 2009

Toxic Congressional Units

Why do we allow politicians to waste our time and money posturing and spewing rhetoric? The arm chair quarterbacking over who knew what when and why it was not prevented is nauseating. Badgering witnesses to give a yes or no answer to loaded questions about derivatives and stock swaps is like asking for a one word explanation of futures.

Hindsight is and always has been 20/20 vision and we permit the media to occupy our attention with naysayer’s who have no idea what to do, experts looking for their next book deal, and political posturing to no end. We have known for years that Social Security and Medicare were driving the Federal Budget into the stratosphere. Why now are we shocked when President Obama effectively addresses the issue and tells the truth? There is no denying that the economic crisis and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan magnify the deficit but the overwhelming factor that is driving the budget deficit in years 6 through 10 is healthcare costs.

If we do something like electronic medical records, which the VA implemented, that can reduce costs by 25% to 50% or more then there will be a much different picture ahead. I am embarrassed for the elected official who only panders to the ignorant crowd, adds no value and wastes our precious time and attention on nonsense. We need to identify these people and stop listening! Remember the lessons your mother taught you “If you do not have anything good to say, then do not say anything at all.”

We need to purge the toxic rhetoric from our Congress and insist on collaboration, cooperation, and constructive behavior with no tolerance for bickering, backbiting, second guessing, arm chair quarterbacking, and sound bytes for effect. As long as we continue to be drawn into the hype of juicy battles spawned by dramatic accusations and distracted from making sustained progress on something, nothing will change.


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