How Do We Sort Out Our Political Mess?

Politics - I am so sick of the mess it has created over the past 20 years! I thought that after the elections things might gradually settle in to the regular sniping that the parties often do until mid-term elections, but instead it has turned into an attack fest since then. It has split mostly down party lines where one side is trying to get the upper hand politically, and that usually means no help for the problems that face the American people.

Michigan Radio's political analyst, Jack Lessenberry in my opinion said it best in one of his radio essays recently. ("Two Plus Two Makes Four.")

...nobody is saying what they should be saying, which is this: "Hello, people, listen up:

"We don't have any money, largely because so many people are out of work. If you want to continue getting the benefits that the state has been providing, like parks and roads and good schools and prisons to lock up the bad guys, guess what:

"You are going to have to pay for it! You want this stuff, your taxes are going to go up, by this much, right now."

I would respect any lawmaker with the guts to say that. On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop's priority is not raising taxes. Matter of fact, he would like to lower them.

Okay, fine, so tell us right now how you come up with three billion in cuts. If he did that, I would respect him, too.

It is sad that we have come to a point that we cannot, or choose to not to understand that in order to keep that which we need (health care, funding for a local project, moneys for schools) we will have to raise taxes. If prices go up as they continually do, they do so across the board - both in costs and the taxes that must cover those rising costs.

I would hope that our government would be careful with our money, but we all understand that earmarks and other like minded spending are what we pay for when we have someone try to represent differing points of view on spending (remember that bridge to no where?). But if we think we would be punishing Congress to make them actually learn to tighten the belt when it comes to spending we're really only punishing ourselves.

It doesn't matter either that they are from one party or the other because there is no monitoring system in place to make sure they are carefull with the money. Today, with all our problems of terror and financial woes, I wish there was a statesman or two to look out for all our interests and that could understood there are going to need to be compromises made for the greater good.

Are there any such self-sacrificing men or women out there willing to keep the people's interest at the heart of their greater plan of service? "Hello?" If you are out there... "Come out come out where ever you are!!"

Tim Russert, a Good and Dedicated Reporter

I will always remember Tim Russert for his soft voice, tough questions and sense of family that was evident in his respect for his father and family. I have from the beginning enjoyed his style as well as his attention to detail in reporting, but what stood out for me was his primary focus in life, and that was family. Though he was one of the best political reporters and analysts in the business of government news his real everyday man persona helped us to realize that he wasn't simply an image on the TV screen but very real person, and a very good journalist.

I have followed his reporting for years. His in depth, to the point questions throughout his career have made him a force in journalism today. But I discovered another man in the book, Big Russ and Me which he wrote to honor his father's hard work and his focus on what was important - family. Within those pages I saw a man who had in many ways a childhood much like my own. His natural optimism came from hard times and a willingness to find that brighter side in all he did. I will miss his smile, his care for everything political and his willingness to not be the center of any interview. Instead he did his reporting and interviews as a gatherer of the information in a careful and decisive manner. He made it almost easy to understand American politics, as well as believe it wasn't all bad.

Our prayers are with his family and NBC where he guided so many. The hole his death has created will not be filled anytime soon.

We've Been Done Dirty!

TV has never been good...but now we have a writer's strike and it's nothing but re-runs. I understand the reason I'm into writing and actually sell some of my writings, but it doesn't hurt them as much as it hurts those of us who watch. The same is going on with those of us who live here in Michigan. Our political leaders decided to have our primary early in January, so the national Democrats decided to punish the voters by taking away our choice to vote by dropping out of the race. They did not take away the rights of our leaders, they took away our rights.

Did they do that to any other state for having an early primary? No, just Michigan. So what can we do? Our state has more than a few Democratic voters who could really make a mess for the rest of those who decided to punish us.

How about we all vote for two that are still on the list - Clinton and Dodd! Hey, they've already probably cost us a chance to vote in any primary before the election!