Politics and politicians

Okay, I understand we need our Government. I also understand the idea behind how our government is set up. I also understand that our government is not working the way it was intended all those many years ago. See, back in the early days of our government, the politicians worried more about 'how do we help the country' and now it's more about 'how can I help myself'.

Special interest groups run our country. While I'm guessing most politicians get into government with perfectly good intentions, it doesn't take long for the system to run them over. You either stand in line with your hand out like all the others, or your state doesn't get all those wonderful tax dollars it needs to survive. I've known personally only one politician. He was a Republican, but I didn't hold that against him because he was one of the most honest people I've ever met. I went to school with him for ten years. And he did a marvelous job of helping our state without (I admit I'm only speculating here, but nothing bad was ever said about him) cow-towing to the special interest groups. I even voted for him a few times in the 8 years he was in Washington. This was sixteen years ago. I'm not sure he would last that long these days, as I got the impression that he wouldn't sell his state to the highest bidder.

The sad part about it is, everyone knows our system is broken. They've known it for decades. But no one can fix it because the special interest groups basically decide your political fate. If you vote against them, they tear you down and you get no money for re-elections and you lose to whomever they can buy off to replace you. (Remember folks, this is only MY opinion, not those of the paper I work for. So, any cards and letters should be sent my way.)

I was excited that Mr. Obama was elected President. I truly believe that he felt like he could change the way things were done in Washington. Unfortunately, most of Washington is quite happy with the way things are, because they're making lots of money for themselves.

Speaking of President Obama, I'm really tired of all the negativity that he has to put up with. When he was elected, we were in two wars, the world economy was collapsing, the automakers were going bankrupt and the United States was turning into the laughing stock of the world. Has he fixed everything? No. But he helped save the auto industry. America is close to struggling it's way out of one of the biggest recessions ever. We're less than a month away from leaving Iraq, just like he promised. He passed healthcare reform, which every president in the past twenty-five years has tried and failed to do. Do I like everything about the healthcare reform bill? No. But I'm impressed that he was able to get it done. He has a little over two years left in his term. Let's give him a chance to continue what he's started, and just maybe things will turn around even more.

It's funny, because people are complaining about 'big government', and excessive government spending. Guess what? It happens in EVERY Presidential term, no matter who the President is. If it's a Republican, Democrats complain, and vice versa. Government is always going to be big and overspend, because we don't have enough people with the guts to stand up to all the money-waving special interest groups.

Until that happens, guess what people.... this is the kind of government you're going to be stuck with.

Of course, that's just my opinion and I could be wrong.

'Til next time.....