For many months now we've seen the unemployment rate at an all-time high. For more than 2 years now the rate of home foreclosures has been hitting the ceiling. These are tough times for America. Made tougher by a Congress which is broken. At least that's what a majority of the Americans feel.
Most feel that 'politics' is winning over 'policy' when it comes to any issue in Washington. Both political parties seem to be suffering from an acute case of myopia and seem incapable of thinking beyond the 2012 election. What they don't seem to understand is that if they don't work together at this time, if they don't display bipartisanship in solving the plethora of problems facing the country at this time, no matter which party wins in 2012 it would find itself in a much deeper abyss and under tremendous pressure.
To say that the situation is complex would be a big understatement. Some congressmen are fixated on cutting the spending as they don't like the idea of America living beyond its means and owing large amounts of debt to foreign countries. Well it makes sense if you think about it! But others feel that this is not the time for austerity. The economy is in recession, the businesses are not spending and they are not going to as the domestic consumption has fallen. If the govt also tightens its purse strings at this time then the economy would go into a downward spiral in no time. A stalemate ensues.
Its common sense to extend the unemployment benefits to the almost 10% unemployed. When some argue against this by saying that this adds to the govt's spending, that's when you start to lose it. This is one spending the govt must do IMHO!!
Extending the 'Bush Tax Cuts' for the richest 2% Americans is yet another debate raging on in the Congress. Add to all this the numerous problems on the foreign policy front.
Now lets face it. We know that the Republicans and the Democrats have fundamentally different ideologies. That's why they are labelled 'conservatives' and 'liberals'. They cannot completely come together since they follow essentially 2 disparate doctrines about governance. But coming together and reaching some middle ground shouldn't be that hard. After all they've done it in the past right?! They surely can do it again. The country needs it more than ever now!!
Millions of Americans would hope they do come together for the sake of the country's future. So would I !!
For some inspiration the folks in Washington could read the following lines and act with valor. Take some tough decisions even though they may not be the best decisions politically. We need an Aragorn! And a Gandalf. And a Frodo and a Sam!!!
"A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of woes and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! " - Aragorn
Lets fight !!
