We Live In Troubled Times And We Have A Do Nothing Congress
Read more articles on Science and Technology and Politics.March 26, 2008
Posted by neillevine
March 26, 2008
Posted by neillevine
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We live in troubled times. I want to pose the question what are elected federal officials doing to reduce or solve the problems?
Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain are arguing over the Iraq war and taxes. I submit there are other important problems facing this country.
As in the past, there is crime in this country. Lots of it. The internet can be used to attack the problem. But I have been reading that the jails are packed to capacity. We found out during the recent debates between Republican Presidential candidates that perhaps two million illegal aliens have committed prosecutable criminal acts and have not been deported despite widespread promises to the contrary. Yet the news is filled with stories of politicians philandering, with or without interns or other young females. Sort of raises questions about where the political priorities of this country are. Why not arrest and convict more bank robbers and car thieves. Surely, these crimes are not in the public interest, are unnecessary and should be discouraged.
Wildfires are still burning all over the place. Ask yourself what federal officials are doing about this problem? In order to find a solution, they would have to hold hearings, fund studies, propose solutions and the like. As far as I know, very little is being done. At least throwing a lot more water on a blaze would be a big help. Despite political double talk, less fire is in the public interest. Instead we have politicians like former Democratic Majority Leader Tom Daschle empowering groups with extreme views like emphasizing preserving the pristine look of the national forests as being more important than protecting the public because with this approach he gets a lot of control, translating into patronage. But this does not reduce the immediate danger and destructiveness that fires pose. Thank goodness the Republicans in South Dakota bounced him, although it allegedly was over abortion and not this specifically.
Then there is flood control. The Midwest is currently suffering from an uncontrolled deluge of excess water forcing people to flee their homes and ruining property. In recent times, a few dams, levees and the like have been built and found to be beneficial. Keep in mind that projects of this kind not only help with water management, but also can provide very cheap hydroelectric power. More can be done, if enough dams are built at the water’s source up in the mountains in Wyoming, West Virginia, Colorado and so on to lower the level of rivers down stream to provide relief during the rainy season and even provide water in times of need. But since I have been following this issue for a good while I can tell you that not much is being done even though this is in the public interest.
One big reason is patronage. Politicians like a hook on public issues to insure their continuing control. Another is lack of public awareness and even lack of interest. But let me tell you, as I have just outline4d things can be changed for the better. Think about it.
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