Faith and trust in the federal government is at an all-time low. Our national debt has tripled in the past 15 years, and we have little to show for it. Congress is gridlocked, accomplishes little, and shows no regard for accountability. Too many of its members act entitled, and treat each other with disrespect.
The obscene amount of money in federal politics adds to the distrust. This unchaste funding gives big contributors unseemly influence with lawmakers. After a few years in office, elected officials can go to work in lucrative positions as influence peddlers, serving their former contributors – usually for a company or industry the lawmaker use to oversee. This is wrong. Federal politics has become a corrupt system.
How do we restore trust? It has to start with leadership.
Our republican form of government depends upon good leadership to function best. The U.S. is a republic, not a democracy. The federal government is run by a democratically elected legislature and president, not a democracy run by 300 million people. The republican form of government has served us well. It is ideally suited for the complexities of today’s world of technology, vast and never-ending amounts of information, and specialization in almost every field.
However, republican government needs leadership and elected officials who favor pragmatism over ideology and partisanship. Leaders, who will dive in to complex issues, read in-depth studies and lengthy reports, and possess a willingness to learn from experts. And then, make, and stand by, informed decisions that serve the country’s best interests.
Not the interests of a few. Not the interests of partisan zealots. Not the interests of big money.
We need leaders who have a strategic vision, an abundance of courage, and a good moral compass. Leaders who are able to set priorities, tackle tough issues, willing to compromise when necessary, and have the fortitude and stamina to accomplish important national goals.
Another good step in restoring trust in government would be for the Congress to get something done. Passing some legislation would help do this. They could begin with something small. Find a bill or two that would be easy to pass. Maybe some small legislative successes will start the ball rolling and lead to more important bills getting passed.
This can only happen when legislators are willing to accept the responsibility that comes with elected office. We elect them to do a job, not to spend most of their time campaigning for re-election, or bashing the other party.
Showing budgetary responsibility would help too. Our fiscal policy this century has been a toxic mix of spending like there’s no tomorrow, and tax cuts we can’t afford. The financial burden we are leaving to our children and grandchildren is shameful. Seriously addressing the deficit and colossal national debt is another essential step in restoring people’s faith in government.
We also need to get the big money out of politics and government to rebuild trust. The only effective way to do this is with a constitutional amendment for campaign finance reform. Campaign finance laws are too easy for courts and Congress to dismantle over time. Not so with a constitutional amendment.
This amendment should allow legislatures to limit political contributions to individuals and exclude groups such as: Corporations, unions, non-citizens, super PACs, and anonymous organizations. It should give Congress and states the authority to limit contribution amounts and/or create a public campaign finance system.
Of course, big money groups and their attendant politicians will fight this tooth and nail. There is too much money at stake for the special interest groups, and legislators have a vested interest in keeping the playing field uneven in elections. However, an amendment would help minimize hidden agendas, and restrain politicians from espousing positions important to their big donors, but not the country.
Big money is the root problem in politics and government, and most legislative gridlock stems from it. Until the big money problem is solved it makes addressing any issue difficult and difficult issues impossible. A campaign finance amendment would restore balance in both elections and governing, rekindle interest in politics and voting, and most importantly, begin to rebuild trust in government.
The rebuilding of trust in the federal government will take time. People need to see government work again, instead of constant bickering and finger-pointing. They want to see problems get addressed and resolved, instead of continually kicking the can down the road and spending more of our grandkids money.
Again, it must start with leadership – especially in Congress. Unfortunately, the current leaders in both parties are only interested in winning the next election instead of governing. This makes them prisoners to the radical base of their respective parties, and beholden to big money interests. They are not true leaders. Genuine leaders would not allow themselves to be cowed by bullies, or overly constrained by the bridle of obligation.
Until we get courageous leadership in Congress, we should expect continued dysfunction in government. We need Congressional leadership that is: Tough-minded, but also open-minded; willing to address important issues, and unafraid of compromise; capable of being good stewards of our finances, and able to summon the rectitude to drive the money-changers out of the temple of government. This is the kind of leadership that is sorely needed to begin restoring people’s trust in government.
Links to past blogs related to this subject
Why Federal Politics and Government have become a corrupt system:
http://www.commonsensecentrist.com/a-corrupt-system/
Ideas for a more functional Congress:
http://www.commonsensecentrist.com/wanted-courage-in-the-congress/
Ideas for Leadership in Congress:
http://www.commonsensecentrist.com/leadership-not-misleadership/
The problem of big money in politics and government:
http://www.commonsensecentrist.com/the-root-problem-in-politics-and-government/
The radicals in Congress have too much influence:
http://www.commonsensecentrist.com/radicals-have-too-much-congressional-influence/
Link to 60 Minutes video on Leadership PACs (eye opening and sure to raise your blood pressure):
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/washingtons-open-secret-profitable-pacs-2/