John Sheda

Well as everyone knows by now, it’s a crazy Presidential year!! I’m not even going to get into any of the particulars, mainly because it’s too confusing to know where to even begin. Years ago there was a movie entitled “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” Do you remember it? Suffice to say, we are in it, no doubt!! But it’s no secret that our Federal Government is in sad shape; dysfunctional as the title states. What in the world has happened to Washington, D.C. and to our politicians that are elected to serve us. Remember, it’s “of the people, by the people and for the people,” right? Or is it anymore.

Haruumph! Here is what this old sage thinks is the matter with Washington:

1. As a general rule, politicians just don’t seem to be very honest anymore. They may start out with altruistic ideals, hopes and dreams, but something seems to happen after a few years there. Often their mantra is simple party politics-go along to get along! Remember the thought of “absolute power corrupts absolutely?” Politicians love power and the longer one can stay in Washington, the more power he or she wields. Which leads to the second point…

2. Politicians listen to the people somewhat, (getting re-elected being the main reason), but for the most part…NAH!! Want a good example? For years, I’ve heard men and women from both trains of thought, liberal and conservative, feel that it’s “high time for term limits.” Get the old guard out! Get new and fresh ideas in! I’ve heard much worse as well. But the gist of it is, we seem to all feel that term limits might be right. It’s been around for years, but HAVE YOU EVER HEARD EVEN ONE TIME OF A POLITICIAL TALKING ABOUT IT, DEBATING IT OR BRINGING IT TO A COMMITTEE FOR DISCUSSION? I certainly haven’t. So are they listening to us? Not in this writer’s estimation.

3. Federal Politicians want merit evaluations on all other walks of life, i.e., Teachers, Nurses, Doctors, etc., so why not on our Senators and Representatives? Economy isn’t growing, employment not going so well, income of average people not rising much and so on. Then you simply gotta go!

4. Here’s a good one. You guys in Washington make way, way too much money. How in the world can millionaires who govern us have any idea what you and I, “the common folk” are going through to make ends meet. Do you think any one of them has to worry about whether they are getting a raise in social security? Not hardly. These people grow rich in Washington. Enough is enough.

5. They just fight dirty! We wouldn’t let our children behave the way they do, especially during election years, so why do we allow it on the very people we are supposed to look up to? Remember the saying, “Nothing but the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?” Isn’t a half-truth really a full-lie?

I read a startling statistic the other day; 78 percent of us are unhappy with the way things are going in Washington but 84 percent of us are relatively happy in our own personal lives.

That has to say something. I’m just not sure what. You figure it out. I’m getting a headache. Speaking of headaches, the first debate for President is less than a month away. Egads!

That’s The Way I See It.

Let me know how you see it at jsheda@indytel.com or call me at 319.327.4640.