Recognizing the common enemy
Both major political parties can cite examples of cities, counties and states where their respective ideologies have succeeded. Both sides can likewise cite examples of where the other’s approach to government has failed.
The failures of both parties should be attributed not necessarily to their beliefs, but rather to those who have no legitimate interest in the well-being of the typical American voter. These people, who are sometimes corporations, as Mitt Romney once said, are only concerned with their own agendas and prosperity, with no regard for responsibility to their respective communities or their country.
Simply scroll through the comments section of any story on the Internet that is even remotely political, and the negativity that has been fostered is painfully obvious. Continuing to bicker over which style of governing is best only serves to deflect the conversation, and further empower those who only wear a “D” or “R” when it suits their needs.
We must begin to place the focus where it belongs. President-elect Donald Trump’s handling of the deal to keep some jobs at the Carrier furnace plant in Indiana is a great example. Whether or not you agree with what transpired, how can shining a spotlight on Carrier’s intentions to take jobs outside of our borders be a bad thing?
We always see our politicians hamming it up on our local news stations, cutting ribbons and taking ceremonial shovels of dirt when a new business moves into our area. But where are these same politicians when a local business closes its doors, or moves jobs overseas?
There are folks with good and bad intentions on both ends of the political spectrum. Let’s get off of that hamster wheel and begin to recognize our common enemy. It’s those who agree with the statement, “Permit me to issue and control the money of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.”
While there is some debate regarding who said that, there is no disputing that it reveals a disdain for the common citizen and disregard for any form of government that is truly “for the people.”
Ryan A. Spence
Monongahela