Governance in the USA

What has happened to the US Government?  It seems like Congress is doing little, either party, preferring to squabble internally, or not allowing compromise.  Sometimes both.  The consequence is that the President makes regulations and takes other executive actions.  Both parties here.  The courts have become the legislature, assuming the job of interpreting the law in some preferred fashion – and their “legal” arguments are increasingly weak and partisan*. 

I believe this era of polarized politics is the root cause of the dysfunction. I believe some persons or some organizations are at the switch, keeping this state of conflict at high tension.  For some of these, the goal is the reshaping of America toward some uncertain model.  For others, there seems to be a harkening to return to the traditional certainty and comfort of a remembered past.

The central issue these days is Obamacare.  It seems no one likes it much, at least those paying the full freight of premiums.  But while the one side wants to repeal it, the other side wishes it to continue on the basis of some unknown principle or to obstruct the other side.  Neither side is willing to talk with the other unless serious concessions are made prior to even saying “hi.”  This implies neither side really wants to say “hi.” 

The dearth of skilled leadership in Washington is a component in this. But remember there are unknown controls at foot – possibly extremely wealthy persons with convoluted political views and unlimited budgets.  (We do see such in the Middle East with fantastically rich sheikhs financially supporting terrorists.) The upshot is anyone even seeming to consider compromise is condemned or even damned by their own party.  This is yet another form of terrorism.  

“My way or the highway” is a wonderful aphorism.  In the case of governance, it leads to destruction and possibly dictatorship – all in the name of good, of course.

*In some cases we see the statement, “Federal law xxx states…, and therefore …” replaced by “In my opinion and based on past comments of the plaintive, I believe that … and therefore … .”