Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) could not have illustrated this situation any better. Conrad, who is proposing a compromise proposal to establish member-owned “co-ops” instead of a government-sponsored public health insurance option, stated that it doesn’t matter which option is right or wrong but, rather, which one has the votes. That is a stunning statement! As this entire issue is just at the beginning of the debate process, it most certainly does matter which is right and which is wrong. His job and the job of his fellow congressional representatives is to determine through honest and thoughtful discussion which one is right for the interests of the American people, not which can get the votes.
And what of President Obama, the supposed champion of health care reform? His performance and lack of personal, strong involvement with the Congress and the leaders of the Democratic Party is both incomprehensible and just plain scary. He can see full well that the lobbyist vultures have descended upon this Congress with a vengeance to kill any semblance of health care reform. All of a sudden he seems to have lost his voice and his previous passion. And because of his failure to show strong leadership and demand results, the entire potential for reform is now in danger of failing.
The current U.S. Congress may well be the most ethically-challenged in the history of America. The evidence of their ethical erosion is everywhere; in the written word, on video tape and audio tape. While there are, certainly, some honest members they are a distinct minority and they hold no real positions of power. The corporate lobbyists and special interests own this Congress lock, stock and barrel. They hold the power over Congress, the people do not. Money and power prevail and rule with an iron fist.
But as bad as this Congress is, they are a product of and a reflection of our society and our system of capitalism in which the almighty dollar rules. Greed and materialism permeate almost every facet of daily life in America. Ronald Reagan once said, “America is a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere.” That was, of course, a debatable position depending upon your opinion of Reagan, but his statement would certainly not describe America today.
At some point, there was a distinct turn in the direction of our nation when money and material things became more important than ethics and morality. If you don’t agree with this conclusion, just turn on CNN, MSNBC, your 10 PM newscasts; surf the internet, read the daily newspapers and you will see all the evidence you need.
If the founders and architects that gave life to our democracy, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and others, could see America today, they would be in a state of shock and disbelief. They would not be able to comprehend the changes that have taken place in this nation, our government, and our society.
Is there some way that America can return to its finer days when it just may have been that shining city upon a hill – perhaps the period including World War II and the years following when this nation was respected around the world? Yes, there is, but don’t look for our Congress, Wall St. or U.S. corporations to change, for greed and corruption has, over the years, become a part of their culture.
The American people and this society can change if they are able, somehow, to reject their current addiction to materialism and consumerism that has, at least for the time being, entrapped us. Yes, this society still has time to change; it can certainly be done – but who will lead us?
Michael Payne
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