Getting Down to Business

A clear view of our nation’s health would provide a conclusion of troubles. But when we go into the details, we see primarily two ideologies at work: small government and large government.

It is easy to side with either of these two if further details are ignored. I think the truth of the matter is ignorance by many of the what and why government in America works. Or doesn’t.

To wit, the economy is not minutely managed, but it is pushed and prodded by federal policies judiciously applied. For the most part, our economy is healthy and growing. It is also inventive and creating new opportunities as old ones disappear. The process is not always gracious, but then people aren’t either. People are the common denominator of all things governmental; imperfect human beings usually will cause some problems but not all. No, the rest of our difficulties are caused by intentional manipulation by ideologues. And that’s the theme of today’s blog.

Ours is a nation of laws and justice. Ours is also a nation of fair play and equal rights. The laws attempt to work well in all circumstances, but that is not always possible given the enormity of differences and circumstances. Legislators also attempt to play games with the legislative process when they perceive their point of view will not prevail. They twiddle with the legislation to make it less workable and fair so they can point to the unfairness later as proof they were right. They know where these oddities are because they meant them to be present.

Rarely is any legislation perfect. It does exist, but in the current environment of divisive politics, the opposite is true. So true is this that 2023 turned out to be the year of a do-nothing congress. The political distress and infighting nearly stopped all legislation.

2024 is a new year. It is up to the majority of voters to make a difference and support common sense candidates, policies and legislation. We can do it if we focus on the core issues and understand their basics. This is not rocket science. It is political science 101.

Read about the issues, refuse to support candidates who focus on personalities rather than issues. And then vote intelligently for the matters that are the foundation of our nation’s genius. Democracy is messy but it works when we do our homework. It is logic, not rhetoric. Facts, not emotions.

If we make any resolution for the new year, let it be a return to American democracy. The outcomes will be well worth the effort and commitment.

January 3, 2024

 

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