No Way to Run a Country This article raises some very good points that everyone on Capitol Hill, as well as the White House, would be smart to achieve. The author argues that polarized politics is paralyzing American government and is setting a dangerous precedent for the future of the attempt to get anything done in the ‘land of the free’. In this evaluation of the shutdown, Obamacare, and the tragedy of default, it is not only apparent but the argument implores change at the base level. The proposal is clear: Pass a clean CR now to avoid further shutdown and default, and if Obamacare is as bad as it sounds to House Republicans, then appeal it through the legislative process in 2014 and 2016. The GOP side is heard loud and clear: now is the time to govern. America has the privilege of printing the world’s collateral, as the author notes, and default or further shutdown could have serious repercussions worldwide. This is no way to govern, they say, and I agree. I think that the House point has been made, polarization needs to stop yielding obstructionism and our Representatives and Senators need to govern. The author proposes something that I think our country desperately needs as well: “In the longer term, America needs to tackle polarization. The problem is especially acute in the House, because many states let politicians draw their own electoral maps. Unsurprisingly, they tend to draw ultra-safe districts for themselves. This means that a typical congressman has no fear of losing a general election but is terrified of a primary challenge. Many therefore pander to extremists on their own side rather than forging sensible centrist deals with the other. This is no way to run a country. Electoral reforms, such as letting independent commissions draw district boundaries, would not suddenly make America governable, but they would help. It is time for less cliff-hanging, and more common sense.” economist/news/leaders/21587211-land-free-starting-look-ungovernable-enough-enough-no-way-run-country
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 03:01:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015