What We Can Do

Leadership can go only so far. To accomplish what the leader asks of us requires a commitment from us, the followers. I’m asserting here that the followers are informed and willing. They share the vision proffered by the leader. I’m not speaking of lemmings blindly following the lead lemming over the cliff!

So here we are. America at a junction point. We can go to the right and downsize both the government and the economy. We could go left and invest in people, education, and infrastructure that will boost the economy and generate new revenues to strengthen economy, reduce deficits and lower the national debt. Or we can continue going straightforward doing nothing to upset anyone but let the economy carry the load of everyone else.

Results are partially in: down sizing the government has occurred and continues so. Employment by government at all levels – federal, state, county and municipal – has declined for several years now and continues to do so. Downsizing government? It’s happening. And with it goes the economy. The private sector has been creating new jobs; the public sector has not. But unemployment and its costs continues with only slight improvement. Yet the deficits continue but at a slower rate. This means national debt continues to grow. These conditions suck the life out of the economy and its people; not the government! So the right-wing pathway is not a very good route to take although we are on that path and have been since George W. Bush took office.

The left-wing path is actually more centrist. It relies on government to prime the pump with the programs that will build the economy in a manner that will produce sustainable growth with lesser and lesser government funding. That is the purpose of education programs: to improve the quality and employability of our citizens so they get off unemployment and build stronger companies. In turn they pay taxes as do the workers. Tax collections support government operations and reduce deficits and national debt. Sustainably. On-going. Investing in our people and infrastructure makes for a better, more productive and sustainable business climate. And the long term expense is paid off reasonable with long term debt. As it always has.

Keeping on the current path settles nothing and solves very few problems. It is not a fruitful pursuit.

If the American people believe the above, then it is time they took action. Like President Reagan’s admonition, we hired our representatives in the House and Senate, now tell them what to do! Tell them to vote for a jobs bill. Tell them to support education reforms. Tell them to invest in infrastructure renewal. Tell them to support new energy discoveries which lead to no importation of foreign oil.

Tell them we want the incivility and name calling to stop. Tell them we want real solutions to national problems not noise and bluster signifying nothing.

The time to act is now. Call and write your congressperson and senator today. And keep the dialogue going. You are the boss. Be sure they hear you.

If we all did this our will and consensus will become apparent. And they will act in accordance. Keep doing this week after week until they are doing the will of the people.

Are you ready? Will you make this commitment? I don’t care if you don’t agree with my point of view, but I do care that you make your opinion and wishes known to your elected official. They do not know what’s on your mind unless you tell them.

So do it! Just do it!

Thank you.

February 18, 2013