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Amen, g-man. The author here makes some very valid points, but they are all mute when any part of the argument involves “solving the nation’s problems.” Government doesn’t “solve problems.” It over-regulates, favors, selectively enforces, etc. for their own ends – being reelected (power, glory, money, etc.)

There should be no such “profession” as “politician” in the United States of America. Period. In a representative republic, they SERVE those who sent them. They do not “lead,” “rule,” or “solve.”

We will never be able to teach a populace or recapture a time when a farmer, doctor, lawyer (God help us), or businessman goes to Washington to serve for a time, and then goes home to work and live under the same laws that they felt so urgently needed passing to “solve” some problem. We are too far gone, and have been for a long time. The first government handout to a select group of (any) people welded that coffin shut.

Once again, elections take priority over effective policy on taxes, spending and other critical issues.

No surprise there. That is something I have railed most highly against for a long time. In my opinion, it is the single biggest problem with our government (as comprised by the two current ruling parties) right now. If we fixed Washington in such a way that being an elected official in government was once again a service to the republic rather than a goal/career for it’s own sake, then I think all of our other problems would eventually fall in line. Once you fix the objective of being an elected representative, then those in that service can once again work to actually solve problems, rather than make legislation with the only purpose of getting them through their next election.