I have no problem with the issues as presented, or Michael Weinstein's position (guest commentary "Let's get the right thing done", July 15). We probably all agree: Do the right thing, and do it right now! But, to say, or even suggest that "The answer is simple" is ridiculous.
The U.S. has gotten to where we are today through the collective efforts of hundreds, thousands of people doing bad things (I did not say bad people) in our states' and nation's capital(s) over the last 50 years. Well-intentioned or not, our governments have done some very misguided things over many decades. The very fact that there is a debt ceiling or a federal deficit is only an outward symptom of a much deeper fundamental problem (illness) - not even getting at the true root cause. I believe it stems from one of our basic human character traits: to primarily think short-term and be self-centered.
To suggest that the current bunch of professional politicians (and lobbyists) in Washington (regardless of partisan affiliation) can now, or in the next few days or weeks or months "get something done" and then all will be better, is naive, at best. I don't claim to have the answer(s), but Mr. Weinstein surely doesn't have the answers either.
John Latson, Mesa
Leon Ceniceros posted at 6:14 am on Wed, Jul 20, 2011.
SO RIGHT....40% OF AMERICA WANT TO TAX THE RICH AND BUSINESS BECAUSE THEY HAVE WORKED HARD AND BECOME SUCCESSFUL AND GIVE THE MONEY TO THE POOR, THE LAZY AND THE ILLEGAL ALIENS.....
AND 40% WANT AMERICA TO LIVE WITHIN IT MEANS, BALANCE IT'S CHECK BOOK AND BE A "SAFTEY NET" FOR PEOPLE IN "TEMPORARY....THE WORD IS...TEMOPRARY...NEED....THE OLD AND ELDERLY.
THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE POT-HEADS, THE STONERS, THE TOKERS, THE SHEEPLE- COLLEGE KID WHO IS DRINKING THE PURPLE KOOL-AID, THE HISPANIC PRO-MEXICO, PRO-ILLEGAL ALIENS, CERTAIN CHURCH GROUPS WHO TAKE THEIR VOTING ORDERS FROM THEIR RELIGIOUS LEADERS....
THAT MAKE UP THE OTHER 20% OF THE VOTERS.
Dale Whiting posted at 10:51 am on Wed, Jul 20, 2011.
John,
No easy or short term solutions. We will remain in a stagnant economy until we become competitive again. That means becoming innovative in ways we have never innovated before.
Only politicians looking to be elected sell easy solutions. Once elected, and facing the challenge to deliver on their promises [no new taxes, etc], they change their tune.