To my eye it seems, this short sighted decision making, without consideration of potentially immediate and long-term consequences to ourselves and others is a recurring fault in human nature, and as such, afflicts our government as well.
Each election cycle it seems, the strategy of most politicians is attempt to portray themselves as brokers of change, promising to improve our standard of living, and bring justice to the ills of our society. Only once elected, they carry on business as usual, putting their own self-interests and re-election prospects ahead of the best interests of our nation. Simply take a look at the Republicans who regained a majority in Congress on the tails of the Contract with America in the mid-nineties, only to betray the principles upon which they were elected by letting spending spiral out of control, and failing to achieve many of the goals promised to their constituents.
Here we are again, in another election cycle, this time with the Presidency once again at stake, and with it, the direction of this nation of ours. There is a great deal of unrest among the electorate, demonstrated in the divisions among the two major political parties. The Republican conservative base was so divided early in the primary season, that now the party has as its nominee, a candidate who won the nomination with at best, 30% of the party's support, mostly coming from moderates and independents with little steadfast commitment to the Republican platform. Meanwhile, on the Democrat Party side, the two largest factions of the base - the blue collar labor Democrats, risk losing control of the party officially, to the even farther left "moonbat" (as a certain Boston radio host so fondly refers to them) wing of the party, which seems to have little regard for the traditions and founding principles of our nation, even to the point some might say, they have little regard for the nation at all.
Being in such a precarious position, perhaps there would be serious discussion of how we've gotten here, and what the correct pathway forward would be. Perhaps there would be some serious discussion of issues that affect the lives of the majority of Americans, and solutions being proposed that might actually bring about a real improvement. Instead, they're debating what seem to me to be long settled issues (for most) of race, gender, and age. The search for scandal and dealings of questionable ethics continue, though the question of real character itself is often avoided. And the press seems completely complicit with the candidates, always willing to entertain whatever little implications the campaigns put out, never asking the tough questions, and sometimes fawning over the aura of possibility surrounding a speech. I believe the word for all this is "bickering".
So, if the candidates themselves don't want to, and the press isn't going to do their job and make them; then it is up to us, the electorate - the people who will ultimately have to foot the bill, and have our children sacrifice their lives, to discuss the issues. And frankly if we don't - if we're too busy with what's directly in front of our own windshields, to check the mirrors before following our leaders into a new lane, or checking to see where we've been and what's about to overtake us, then we are ultimately responsible for what happens down the road.
