The Problem

I'm not an absolutist.  I try to keep things in perspective.  To take the long view.  But sometimes evidence comes along that challenge our basic thinking.  Many have a tendency to think that our problems are the worst that we've seen.  That at no time in history could we have experienced such gridlock, such despair over getting anything done, such polarization.  Well, according to the graphic below out of the Washington Post, they might be right.  When you look at how polarized we've become in about 30 short years, it's unbelievable.  Some blame it on gerrymandering, some blame it on talk radio, some blame it on the corruption of money, and on and on.  To me it doesn't really matter.  The important thing is how do we get ourselves out of this mess.  Some say open primaries, some say go back to the drawing board on drawing districts, some say we just have to be nicer.  Maybe it's one of those, but with the way things are as depicted in the chart, we will be in gridlock for a long time.

I'm not sure if it will take a prolonged crises of major proportion, either as a threat from offshore or a major financial meltdown, but either might bring the two sides together to work for solutions.  But there is another thing that could make a difference.  Leadership.  If we could find a leader, a true leader, who would try and bring people together, who people believe was implementing the best, fairest policies for the majority of Americans, then maybe people would come together.  Today we don't have that.  The President is absent.  He is a campaigner and nothing more.  And I'm not saying that as a guy on the other side.  I'm saying that as an American.  He hasn't remotely exhibited the leadership in either domestic or international policies that will allow us to come together for the greater good.  If you think he has, then you're not paying attention.  And let me also make this point.  A great deal of this alienation came during the Presidency of GWB.  Now a lot of that can be blamed on the war.  Fairly or unfairly, that's true.  A lot can also be blamed on the hostile press.  There is no doubt that the press was as hostile to GWB as they are docile to BHO.  In this day and age, the media controls the message, and they can drive outcomes pretty easily.

So how do we get back to a place where things can get done?  I'm convinced it's leadership.  We must find someone who can attract significant numbers from both sides.  When I look at the cast of characters who comprise the usual suspects for national office, I'm not seeing anyone in that category.  Where does this person come from?  Who is it?  I'm hoping they step up.