Nobody is ready, willing, or able to ask and/or answer questions of substance.
In observing politicians, the media, and American citizens, one thing is clear to me about the presidential, congressional, and local campaigns. Nobody is ready, willing, or able to ask and/or answer questions of substance.
Quite some time ago, my family and I ran across one of our elected representatives, our United States Congressman, campaigning at the town square. We observed more than 100 of our fellow Texans shaking hands with him, and offering their support, which he was grateful to accept. Not one person asked a question about his party’s platform, or his voting record. The congressman did not make a single statement of substance about any issue. Sure. There were a few comments and jokes exchanged about the personalities of other candidates, but nothing at all about policy.
Finally, our family approached him, introduced ourselves, told him where we live (in his district) and exchanged warm greetings. I asked, “Considering that you voted for both TARP bills in 2008, the most recent of many tax-payer bailouts of bank shareholders, and considering that you reported owning more than $100,000 of JPMorgan Chase Common Stock and Employee Stock in 2007, Congressman Brady, what is your position on the Federal Reserve Banks being responsible for regulating and supervising the very same banks that own them, such as JPMorgan Chase?
Immediately, a twenty-something woman stepped around from behind our elected representative, and in between him and us. Our congressman stepped backwards several steps. She said to us, without even a hint of the Texas twang used by Brady, “The congressman believes strongly in protecting our nation’s financial system for the benefit of ever American.”
I said, “Well, like the vast majority of Americans, I did not, and do not, own any bank stocks or receive any bank dividends, especially New York banks. Back to my question, please. Doesn’t self-regulation and bailouts put the fox in charge of guarding the tax payer’s hen house? And hasn’t our congressman shown himself to be one of the foxes?”
Congressman Brady was smiling, waving, and making his escape to a waiting vehicle. One of children shouted, “Dad! He’s getting away!”
I laughed and nodded.
The un-elected twenty-something woman simultaneously smiled and glared at me. She said, “America has the strongest banking system in the world, and the most stringent regulation. Your congressman has worked hard to ensure that. Thank you.” Then she also left the town square.
I love the United States of America. But as a parent, I have learned that two very important parts of love is not accepting wrong behavior and holding our loved ones accountable. If we do not, then we are enabling wrong behavior, and that is not loving.
Many years ago, in high school journalism class, I was taught that journalists held politicians accountable. In fact, the media used to be known as The Fourth Estate. However, today, I …read more
Source: Nobody is ready, willing, or able to ask and/or answer questions of substance.
