0718 - Decisions

Every week, the political polls hit the news, and we see that the American public declares itself most unhappy with those in charge in Washington. This displeasure ranges from President Bush, who is getting ever-bigger numbers as the worst American president ever, to the Congress, which is viewed as do-nothing,. Our Staff goes with the flow, although some among them dissent on certain points. The Ethicist, for one, votes for W as worst because of Guantanamo, waterboarding, and Iraq, while the Senior Counsel, more cautious, says he does not know enough about Millard Fillmore. The OO, who hung around Washington for decades, has concluded that the real problem is that almost no one seems able to make any decisions, or, having come to a conclusion, simply will not back belief by action.

Its not that some of the problems aren’t complex. They are, and many have no quick good answer. The illegal immigrant problem is a fine example. If you pass a law forbidding illegal immigration, then you ought to enforce it. This, no one ever seems able to do. Instead, they all blather about “amnesty”, or dither about giving illegal immigrants drivers’ licenses. [If called to testify, the OO will testify that about one out of eight taxi drivers in Atlanta speaks English, which may give you a clue.] Meanwhile, the number of illegals in the country is well above twelve million, and of course their children born in the U.S. are citizens, which makes the problem harder. Like all tough problems, dithering doesn’t solve it.

Deficit spending is another easy example. Congresspeople just love to snip off a few hundred million here and there for pet projects, ranging from the ridiculous to the totally trivial, say trolley car museums or bridges to nowhere. The same disease infects both parties. Yet, when it comes to major needs, like financing a war or wars, God forbid that any politician votes for taxes to cover the spending. Instead, the call is to “Support our troops” which is done by deficits. Result: the U.S. dollar is sliding down in value faster than any Treasury Secretary can say “Our policy is a strong dollar”.

What is worse is political inability to deal with obvious troubles coming. Look, Readers, the life span is increasing. And look, the cost of medical care in the U.S.is already 16% of the Gross National Product and rising fast. Every Pol is scared to death to say Social Security and Medicare must be fixed, so they aren’t. They are cowards!

Another fine spectacle of cowardice is the price of oil and the coming crisis of scarcity. We’ll grant you that oil is still just below $100 a barrel, while Starbucks’ latte is over $900 a barrel. But, where is the national summoning of the learnéd, like the famous Manhattan Project? Where is the will to conserve? Where are the mandates to conserve? Why is the only action so far the politically porky but scientifically ridiculous ethanol push? After all, Anguilla is only 13 miles long, and doesn’t need Hummers. The U.S. is bigger. So is China, isn’t it?

One of the most egregious duckings of duty is the evasion of the need to build nuclear reactors in the U.S. They do not pollute, do not spew out carbon, don’t use oil, and they seem to be able to be run safely. No one wants a reactor next door, of course, so there aren’t any new ones yet in the U.S. Again, cowardice; inability to make tough decisions. You know, those polls are right. The people in charge are afraid to do anything hard, however necessary. We’ll bet they don’t get vaccinated for the flu. Or do sit-ups.

Readers will note we have said nothing about political non-dealing with urgent problems in Anguilla. You are correct, we said nothing.

Next time: Plans [OO #719]