We have seen an unbelievable number of fumbles, errors and just plain mistakes made by Congress and various administrations over the years. But the speed and frequency of the self-induced problems in Washington today are so apparent that, if it were not so serious, this would be a laughing matter.
Part of the reason for the mounting problems is that the government's influence is growing and it is seeking more involvement, which 57% of adults are against according to a recent Rasmussen survey. The other part is the obvious inability of the ever-expanding bureaucracy to deal with day-to-day issues with any kind of effectiveness. The synergy produced by this quest for power coupled with a lack of experience and ability to manage long-distance issues or business oriented situations is much like a snow ball gaining both speed and mass as it plummets downhill to its ultimate end.
Things are happening that never before occurred in our lifetime. Even pre-boomers, those born between 1930 and 1945, who were brought into the world during the Great Depression and WWII were not prepared for what has taken place in the recent past and continues to plague us.
The half-spent stimulus package, cash for clunkers, taking over GM and Chrysler, special favors and concessions for unions, the bank and insurance company bailouts, passing the House version of cap and trade (the energy tax), the late-night, questionable vote on health care that added 32 million to the insurance roles while setting up Medicare to be cut by $500 billion, floating the concept of a value added tax (national sales tax), freezing Social Security cost of living adjustments (COLA) for a minimum of two years for the first time in the history of the program represent a partial list of concerns.
Plus there's the unemployment rate that has been hovering around 10 %. An exploding national debt, the highest budget deficit in history and the out-of-control spending. Add to this the economic and fiscal issues, questions about the administration not reacting promptly to the need for troops in Afghanistan or sending forces to the Arizona border, the entire immigration/amnesty problem, as well as being slow to deal with the Gulf oil spill and clean up. There is also a host of smaller, yet nagging problems facing America, which have yet to surface. Maybe that's why polls show only 28% of likely voters believe the country is headed in the right direction.
It's obvious that the politicians' wish list is far too long and their agenda differs greatly from the general population. New Seniors, who are already retired or soon will be, have plenty to worry about. Paying for more programs through taxes, fees or increased prices for goods and services are certainly at the top of our fear list. Lower quality healthcare and some form of rationing is certainly a possibility. And there's more. But our greatest fear is for our children and their children, How are they ever going to pay for the government inserting itself into our personal lives? We need to vote for a more responsible government. And we can start this November. That's the answer.
Don Potter, a Philadelphia native, was born in 1936 and is a 50 year veteran of the advertising agency business. Now living in Los Angeles, he has written two novels in retirement, frequently writes on marketing issues, and has a blog dedicated to pre-boomers (those born between 1930 and 1945).
Read more articles for and about pre-boomers with thoughts, comments and opinions designed to spark thinking, foster discussion, and stimulate debate by logging on to http://www.pre-boomermusings.com
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