...So, Get Off Your Ass and DO SOMETHING

It's time for a must needed reflection. Republicans/Conservatives, what went wrong? (I mean of course other than our mid September "meltdown" and the celebrity charisma that surrounded our first serious African-American candidate that together made everything else in the country secondary). First of all, spending. The majority of our national debt can give thanks to our lovely conflict in the Middle East, but obviously still a large sum comes from elsewhere. Republicans have been blamed that their lower taxes are to blame for expanding deficits even when it's been proved that they've brought in greater revenue over the past four years. So lets get this straight for all you finger pointers out there. Republicans got us into this ugly mess we like to call the "war to nowhere." This war is digging a fairly large hole in our pockets. Now, although not ready to give up the war, Republicans are willing to refill some of that hole by creating a tax system that gives back to both you AND to the government. Seems to me like while not fixing the entire problem, that at least we're making progress. Perhaps it's time that instead of demanding to have it all, we learn to make a compromise. As for you Republicans, my advice...from now on, just balance the budget, since apparently the people now deal in psychology and symbolism as much as abstract economic data. 

Secondly, Conservatives are supposed to honor past values and behavior. Let me repeat that for you who don't catch things the first time, VALUES and behavior. Somehow it has been mistaken by opposite party members that the series of scandals (i.e. Foley, Cunningham, Stevens, etc...) were to be marked as values. So, of course the Republicans lost their footing there in addition to their frivilous spending. Now Republicans need to make themselves distinguishable from corrupt career politicians. It would most likely be beneficial to refrain from letting incompetent posers (cough) Press Secretary Scott McClellan at FEMA (cough) from reminding the naive public that conservatives haves standards no different from their opposition when they claim otherwise. My personal recommendation: The Republican party should become exclusive. Start turning down members. I mean they have the money, right?

On to the dreaded populism. Good old Joe the Plumber caught on. He realized the case had FINALLY been made that confiscatory tax rates mean that none of us will ever have the liberty of experiencing the financial success guaranteed to others by birth. Miss Sarah Palin had a shot, but unfortunately her soccer mom, bimbo attitude killed it. Past presidents have demonstrated they can represent the people. Both Eisenhower and Reagan showed the public they came from and were the same as the people. Supposedly the wonderful argument that the liberal party is now anti-populist and one of the largely affluent who wish to have the government create a boutique, utopian social agenda, and the lower class who want redistribution and the guarantee of twenty-four seven government attention was never seriously made. 

So now, lets not be addressed as Republicans or Democrats. So, my Dear America, stop pointing fingers. "Democrats," stop thinking you did something heroic and mocking Republicans. Check the polls, you almost didn't vote Obama into office, thank God the electoral college saved your ass. "Republicans," stop playing the "I told you so" game. If anything, it's annoying and you sound like my nagging little brother. He hasn't even been sworn in yet. Stop fighting as democrats and republicans and you'd be surprised what you might be able to get done. Get the facts and make compromises instead of demands; you might just get what you wanted all along. 

One last thing. These compromises. They happen in time. Just a promises from our new president. If we jump the gun and start placing blame on our leaders as soon as things don't immediately fall into place we will end up repeating history. As for mistakes, unless you're going to help solve them keep your mouth shut. The more you complain the longer it takes. Europeans are already acting shocked that Obama voiced to the U.N. he was "conflicted" about free-trade. He has shocked directors about new capital gains taxes. Oh, and you Silicon Valley pricks were acting a little concerned that your demolished 401(k)s haven't surged back yet, guess by now you've also learned that the 65% combined federal, state, Medicare and FICA income tax really does apply to you despite Obama's sign out on the front lawn. Well NEWS FLASH: He was just elected! He hasn't even been sworn in yet! I will be the first to say I am not Barack Obama's biggest supporter (but let it also be known I did not support John McCain) but even I realize that Rome wasn't built in a day.