It has been less than 5 months since the 2010 elections. And what was the biggest concern on the voters minds? Yep the enormous budget deficit that is bankrupting our country and mortgaging our children's future. Remember all the campaign ads how candidate X was "the only one" who was a true fiscal conservative. "the only one" who could solve the problem. Even the Democrats, the party of excessive government were running on controlling spending and reducing the deficit.

So the dust has settled, Nancy Pelosi lost her job as Speaker of the House and the Republicans are now setting the agenda. And the American people? Well many had hoped to send Washington a message that we are tired of politics as usual. After sweeping out the Republicans in 2006, the voters cleaned house again by pushing out the Democrats. And how is that going so far? In my opinion a big disappointment.

Look at all the squabbling in Congress over the budget. All of the posturing among pundits, media, and politicians. Nothing has changed and both parties more or less are using the same old tired rhetoric. The Democrats have graciously, and courageously agreed to a draconian cut of $10 billion dollars from the 1.6 trillion dollar budget. While the crazy, cruel, inhuman Republicans have decided on a scorched earth policy of cutting $60 billion dollars.

Keep in mind that $10 billion is 0.6% of 1.6 trillion and $60 billion is an outlandish 3.75%. Now imagine if your household budget was $40,000 a year and you were forced to cut $240 dollars or basically $20 a month. If you were to take the slash and burn approach of the Republicans, you would be looking at gutting $1,500 dollars for the year or the equivalent of $125 a month. If you were facing financial ruin do you think you could save $125 a month? Our government can't seem to make that kind of bold decision.

When you read about this difficult budget battle going on, you would think the politicians were fighting over a huge percentage of the budget. The Lame Stream Media loves the circus and dutifully writes about the horrors that these cuts will cause. You would think Congress was talking about cutting 25 or 30% of the budget by the media's reaction. And by the reaction of all the special interests groups wringing their hands because some of their sugar is going to be taken away. And of course We the People, read our papers, hear the predictions of disaster, and squabble with each other over the merits of cuts that are just pennies on the dollar when compared to the total deficit.

But where are the leaders? Where is the person who can stand up and tell the American people what the truth is and what we need to do to fix it no matter how painful. Is there anyone who can stand up to the media and tell us the truth without being ripped to shreds by the defenders of Progressive Socialism? Are there any moderate Democrats left who are willing to stand up and acknowledge that a $10 billion dollar cut is a joke and a $60 billion dollar cut is not much better?

Are there any politicians who will fight against the established powers in Washington? Will the politicians learn anything or will there be another change from Republican to Democrat in the next 2 to 4 years? So far to me it sounds like more business as usual, and very little new thinking.

In the words of William Shakespeare, "It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

-- Thomas Paine 2

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