Americans have just about had it with the bad habits of Political Street and Wall Street. There is no sign those two Streets will behave better in the future. There is no sign that they will not appeal to taxpayer fears in the future.
In the future, only Main Street can stop dead in their tracks Political Street's and Wall Street's reliance on a Main Street fix in response to threats of Wall Street meltdown.
Many politicians' carelessness with taxpayer money for housing finances on Wall Street, plus Wall Street's greed, have led the "government" to put in a call to us, the Main Street people. Political Street and Wall Street have a bad habit of creating or feeding on our fears.
Now, once again, Wall Street, by way of Political Street, cries "Help! Crisis! Rescue us from our bad judgments enjoyed while you were not paying attention, which now put you at great risk!"
The recent Bailout 911 Emergency Call did not go out directly to us, the Main Streeters. No, that emergency call will hit us through an embarrassingly powerful Political Street. The actions of many on that Street pollute the environment of Pennsylvania Avenue and beyond. Many long-term residents of Political Street will vote to commit our tax monies to save the day.
The fallout of politicians' bad deals and decisions should be theirs, not ours, to clean up. We should not be afraid to let the chips fall, even if for a time we suffer, too, because of it. In the end, we will have reclaimed our rightful role as a participatory democracy. We will also be on the right track for a healthy, working economy.
However, right now we on Main Street will not have a chance to vote on this latest Political Street escape. Politicians, also known as elected officials, plan to speak for us without asking our opinion or approval. That needs to change.
Truly, the recent crisis of confidence on Wall Street has spawned a crisis of confidence toward Political Street in Washington DC. It's a crisis of confidence in the hearts and minds of regular people on Main Street.
This crisis of confidence shows up in a flood of voters' calls and emails to media and to their senators and representatives in the U. S. Congress. This needs to be only the beginning of renewed effort by Main Street.
Wall Street waits to be shored up at the expense of Main Street. The good news is that Main Street can begin to re-pave Political Street in the upcoming and future elections. Main Street can vote out present senators and representatives, starting with this election.
Main Street, listening carefully to the well-funded residents of Political Street, already knows that Political Street is trying to pull something over on us. Many on Political Street who swore to represent Main Street now serve themselves first. At times, they do this by serving Wall Street before Main Street.
The evidence lies in the numerous political attacks, distortions of facts, and downright lies being put out there by residents of Political Street in their clever political-speak. Some have misinterpreted and misrepresented their own colleagues' words. Political egos and emotions now, perhaps more than ever due to instant communication, threaten truth, accuracy, and accountability.
Just after midnight before the last Sunday dawn of this September, politicians also known as congressional leaders emerged from committee meetings. They announced being close to a deal regarding the of the U. S. Treasury Secretary's request in fearful tones: "700 Billion Dollars of American Taxpayers' Money Now to Rescue Wall Street's Financial and Mortgage Sectors."
Those sectors have failed due to their failure to act wisely before rescue was needed. However the small committee of members of both political parties is considering giving in. If they spend our, the taxpayers, money they cannot guarantee us that the plan will succeed to taxpayers' benefit. In fact, Political Street may "reward" Main Street by taxing us even more! Wall Street's banking and credit businesses may try to "reward" us with higher percentages for us to pay on certain business products, like loans.
As I listened to the politicians' announcements from Political Street, I watched the expressions of those who did not speak. I noticed the words that drew attention to what a "long, hard week" our paid representatives have had, dealing with all of this. Immediately flashed before me thoughts about how regular Americans, those living on Main Street, have long, hard weeks---all the time.
Americans on Main Street, unlike those on Political Street, have no Cadillac/Lexus-quality health or retirement plans, no fully-equipped, high-tech offices, with special security and and well-paid staffs in growing numbers. We do not have long "recesses" they have, where they can go home or on holiday, not showing up for work for weeks at a time more than once a year.
Main Street people, unlike Political Street people (including lobbyists and others), do not have perks, either, such as special transport, dining rooms, and other amenities that Political Streeters take for granted every day, along with tax-payer-funded travel and per diem pay for often-unnecessary trips all over the world.
Most residents of Main Street do not have the high salaries enjoyed by Political Street men and women, some of whom vote to increase their high salaries regularly without taxpayer approval.
Most of all, Political Streeters have instant access to news microphones by which they air their views and influence; Main Street does not have that access. Yet, we have voting days, and we need to use them!
The announcement of the coming end of this "long, hard week" in Congress included mention, by one Political Streeter, of "our taxpayers." I was awake enough---after my long, hard week following the news---to find that term offensive. We, the American people and taxpayers of Main Street, are not politicians' taxpayers. They have no right to call us "our people," either.
Political Streeters should never call us "our taxpayers" as if to say "our employees" or "our children." Political Streeters, lest we forget, are "our public servants." They take an oath, in fact, to serve the American people. The Constitution empowers Main Streeters, not Political Streeters.
When were those basic principles deleted from our revered documents?
Sissela Bok's book, Lying: Moral Choice in Private and Public Life, survives as a needed guide in our times.
All of us need to know what we know, how we came to know it, and why we are sure that we have the true facts so we can, as we should, do our part to set the record and Political Street and Wall Street behavior aright.
It is morally imperative that we aim for truth and, therefore, accuracy and accountability, in private and public life. It is morally imperative that we expect truthful and accountable service from those we elect to serve for a while. We pay and support their work through taxes on our hard-earned incomes.
Democracy thrives on truth rising to the top, like true cream. Whereas the false sinks, eventually, the truth will eventually rise. However, in an instant information age like ours, by the time the cream emerges the damage of the fake has been done.
Today, many U. S. voters perceive that there is an unusual self-importance of some members of political and public life locally, by state, and nationally. The same perception exists toward the embarrassingly wealthy people in our country who are most in danger of being overtaken by greed, without even realizing it.
In a democracy, truth and facts in public matters drive voters' confidence and governmental transparency in areas important to public decision-making.
In the months and years ahead, if the Political Street "solution" is adopted, Main Streeters like you and me will hear a lot about what the agreement on this crisis's solution means.
Its reality will, eventually, rise to the top.
Let us be sure not to take, at face value, what Political Street tells us about this. They know they cannot guarantee us anything. They are involving us in a calculated throw of the dice designed also to meet some of their personal political priorities. Nevermind Main Street, in those instances, their actions will tell us, regardless of their words.
Let us always remember that there are many powerful Political Streeters that will try to mislead and misdirect us, for their personal gain. Some will intentionally distort, place blame, and enlarge their own reputations by boasting of the hard work they have done and of the supposed value of that work.
The value of the work of Political Street must be proved. It cannot be assumed on the face of words.
The American people are doing the most hard work.
The only way to reverse this entrenched situation is to vote out all
politicians regularly, within at least 12 consecutive years for each.
That way, new people have a warning: "You will not be re-elected
throughout your life. If you want even a second term, you must not feed
on our fears; instead, you must serve according to your oaths of office
in the best interests of Main Street, the people of the U. S."
In the upcoming election, I intend to vote for new people to represent my state and district in the U. S. Congress. I intend to do this at every election from now on, for I love my country, what is stands for, and I am a faithful voter.
Changing the faces on Poltical Street regularly can only do us all enormous good. I think that no more than 12 years is a good marker, at the maximum. I intend to vote no more than two consecutive terms for any senator, regardless of how much I like him or her. I intend to vote no more than six consecutive terms for any representative, regardless of how much I like him or her.
By that plan, if it were to work across the board, long-sitting residents of Political Street would have to return home to reconnect with Main Street for several years. New people would reside on Political Street, also for a limited number of re-elections.
Fresh air would continually y flow between both ends of Political Street---Pennsylvania Avenue. The famous, historic, and hard-won---by the people---domed building called The Capitol would have members with limited consecutive terms. This would give balance to both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue---Congress, the Legislative branch at one end and the White House, the Executive branch, at the other, with 12 and eight years maximum consecutive years in office,.
As I close, the word "rescue" is replacing the word "bailout." It's still the same. Whatever name it has in the final agreement just worked out behind closed doors, the upcoming agreement need not pass. It likely will, however, including added burdens on taxpayers.
Whatever happens, I intend to vote for new people to go to the U. S. Congress, House and Senate---to the Political Street we need to keep our eyes on always. I will vote to replace any resident that has been on that Street for 10 years or more. I might vote them in again later, if they choose to run again after a rest, but for no more than 12 or fewer years again. I will not vote for anyone that has already served two Senate terms, six years each for a total of 12 years maximum. I will not vote for anyone that has already served six House terms, two years each for a total of 12 years maximum.
Experience has shown that every expert in Congress is replaceable. By changing the rotation often, the health of Political Street, in the U. S. Congress, can be maintained by limiting the power of that Street and returning the rightful level of power to Main Street.
Main Street fails whenever it refuses to watch Political Street and Wall Street carefully. Main Street fails when it does not use its inherent rights and powers to rotate Political Street's residents regularly by voting for new people every few elections, at least.
Rather than being afraid, it would be better to be determined to block future excesses of Political Street and Wall Street by not allowing any congressperson to hold office too long. They can always try to come back, after a few years back on "common ground" with the rest of us.
It could take years, but eventually it will prove to be worth an enormous lot. Main Street can be vibrant and alive again for the first time in a couple of generations and it starts with voting new people in and rotating them every 12 years or less!
» left by robert melaccio sr (64 days 19 hours ago.)
Jane you are so correct. Sadly we put these people into office and for the most part in 5 weeks people will do it all over again. The very sad part is this solves nothing. Sure it will keep the ship floating for investors but average Americans, NADA. It seems to be that people wish to ignore, kid themselves or just plain and simple do not grasp it. If we really want to send a message and change now is the moment. In each and every state on each and every ballot do not send the incumbent back and where ever possible vote an independent. Good job.
Robert, I have thought in recent days about
your writings about usury. Also, until recently I was not aware that so many families rely on credit cards to get by, and pay high financing charges for that. Also, I've learned that businesses meet payroll, routinely,
on credit. Is that a way of avoiding taxes, in the latter case? I can't
figure that one out, but hope to find out more.
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