In a perfect world, a utopia come true, there would be no “corruption” in government. But then, we wouldn’t have to work hard, we would have all the time and pleasures we wanted, and we wouldn’t affect the environment doing it.
We live in a practical, pragmatic world. There has been a lot of talk about corruption in our government. I believe it is corrupt. I don’t believe all politicians are corrupt, but I do believe congress has passed out pet projects (called pork) to their constituents. Money that didn’t absolutely need to be spent is still pulled from taxes and given to local projects.
This is a fact of politics. It’s stupid, because those people who think they are benefiting because their senator or representative brought a lucrative project to their area are still paying taxes for all the other projects going to all the other areas. If it’s not their turn this year, it will be next, to pay the bill for someone else’s project. However, it’s a fact of politics. If you want people to vote for you, you have to be ready to use your influence to “help” them. If you don’t help your constituents, they are not going to elect you again.
I am not asking for an end to corruption. What I am asking for is strength of leadership, of backbone and integrity. Don’t bother denying what you are doing, don’t try to hide it, but don’t roll over and slink away when someone who is every bit as corrupt as you points a finger and starts to yell. I am sick and tired of my elected leaders (all of whom are from my party) letting the media and the so-called “opposition” party win every petty round of mud-slinging scream-fests.
Let’s see how corrupt it USED to be! Let’s see how many pork projects and misdirected millions can be found in the bills when the “opposition” party was in power! Fire back damn you! We own the arena of ideas. We own the right ideas. We don’t have to let THEM own the ability to label us and manipulate the media.
I don’t need an end to all corruption, I need a start of leadership! Play “hard-ball” you wimps!
1 comment:
Politics is an imperfect system and I agree with you that as long as it is a government of the people by the people for the people (in whatever order those are supposed to be) then it will always be imperfect. And I get fed up when one side claims to have moral superiority, whether it's my side or someone else's. I agree with you that NEITHER side has a claim to any particular morality. But firing back? Sinking to the mudslinging? That's a waste of time. Don't bother defusing a bomb that's already gone off. I do believe that it deserves a response. I watched The American President and I wanted Andy to give the speech at the end of the movie too. Every time I hear some jerk say something stupid and pretentious that makes me want to kill him (or her) it serves as a reminder that in this country they are allowed to make those kinds of comments. And so am I. I do wish someone in the media would take the time to show BOTH sides of the commentary though.
-k
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