Modern-day political discourse very closely resembles religion: each side is so firmly rooted its dogma that, by definition, it must treat all other belief systems are heresy. Just look at what happens - whenever someone with an R or D next to his/her name lays out an idea, someone else from the other side predictably comes forth to tells not just how horrible the idea is, but to also question the motives and character of the person making it. As a result, substantive discussion or debate is neutered before it can even start.
It's easy, and perhaps satisfying, to pretend that "the other side" is responsible for all that it wrong with the country but that misses a larger point. There may a difference in degrees of responsibility but the malicious truth is that both sides have built a system that caters to the excesses of each. Consider this thing called sequestration - the two parties both have their sacred cows and each treats that cutting either defense or the social welfare system by a nickel will wreak untold havoc on the populace. In simplest terms, that's bullshit.
We have a systemic problem, rooted in something very few folks - and this probably includes me - fully understand: baseline budgeting. This gimmick, and that's it is, automatically raises the federal budget for no greater reason than the turn of the calendar. Doesn't matter what inflation is, doesn't matter if a program is great or useless, doesn't matter if the world has started spinning in the opposite direction. It is THE commandment of Washington - thou shalt increase the budget of each and every federal agency each and every year. Usually, by somewhere between four and eight percent.
Does your salary go up by that amount every year? Do you even expect your expenses to go up by that figure every year? So, we have one more example of one set of rules for the elected class and a second set for the rest of us. Only problem is, we get to pay for the rules of the elected. Baseline budgeting is the reason why one party accuses the other of "draconian cuts" whenever it is suggested that instead of an 8% increase, perhaps Program X should only be raised by 3%. Lost in the discussion is that either methodology increases spending.
One of my favorite savings is foreseeable consequences are not unintended. Read it again. In simpler terms, when you know what the outcome is going to be, it is reasonable to conclude that outcome was intentional. And it is now fair to say that our current fiscal predicament is, in fact, intentional. Spending at the federal level has ALWAYS gone up but the strength of the US economy has usually been able to sustain it. The economy's steady, if not predictable, growth has absolved the Congress and most presidents of any sense of ownership or responsibility. Why set priorities and why maintain some semblance of budgetary balance when there are no repercussions for failing to do so?
A debt of 16 trillion dollars does not differentiate between Red and Blue; it makes no distinction between conservative and liberal; it sees no difference between gender, race, ethnicity, or orientation. At some point, it might be worthwhile to notice the elephant - this monstrosity of a debt affects us all. So, what is the elected class going to do about it? To date, not a hell of a lot beyond the usual finger-pointing, selective use of numbers, and gamesmanship that has led so many to drop out of the voting public. When you think about it, it is a crime of sorts that barely half the population participates in presidential elections and far less takes part in state and local races.
Folks, there is a problem out there and its name is the political class that claims to want to work on our behalf. If these folks worked in our companies, we would long ago have fired them. And yet, these people ARE on our payroll and we keep re-electing the vast majority. It is we the people who have created this cluster, in large part because we have found it very comfortable to let govt take care of so many details we should be taking care of individually, in our communities, and through civic groups. Ironically, we have a govt that exactly mirrors those who elect it - massive debt, little tolerance for innovation, and the desire to blame someone else rather than to be accountable. Want to see the problem? Look in the mirror.
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