Our Clownish Political Circus
December 21, 2011
By Thomas J. Mackell Jr.
There is mounting investor doubt about the ability of political leaders on both sides of the Atlantic to slash spending, control budget deficits or place the necessary controls and rules for transparency on banks and other financial institutions.
Political leaders have taken on the characteristics of the class clown and they all need adult supervision.
But who is the adult in the room? It certainly isn't any of the folks we elect to do the business of the people. Lord knows they haven't worked here in the U.S. in almost 30 years. So why do we continue to vote for people who can' walk and chew gum at the same time who are led by the nose by lobbyists ladened with gifts.
Are we lazy or lethargic? I don't think so, but why can't we get it right?
We know what the problems are, we suffer from them daily. No jobs, poor pay, no pensions, unnecessary wars, lousy roads, costly food, health care and tuition and a multitude of other things.
But where is the adult supervision? Well, if we look around we would see that they are us. We the people. Our families, friends and neighbors who are feeling the effects of the poor state of affairs throughout the land. We can get this right. Just think about how different life would be with the right kind of elected representatives.
Thomas J. Mackell, Jr. Ed.D., Senior Partner, Black Thorn Lynch Associates, Inc., former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and author of: "When the Good Pensions Go Away: Why America Needs a New Deal for Pension and Health Care Reform."
