We Need a Change Alright But Let's Not Stop at the President

After viewing the carnage on Wall Street yesterday, I braced myself for a long session of finger pointing by our political leaders. It is easy to blame this on President Bush. But frankly it's not entirely his fault. It is the fault of all of our leadership on Capitol Hill as well. They have, for the most part, failed their constituents and we the people of this great nation are left to hold the bag. Congress collectively has more power to lead the change that we think we want than the president would ever have. Our leaders in congress have worried more about political posturing than the American people and our economy. This didn't happen overnight.

Where were our leaders when fuel prices were choking us at the pumps, in our homes and in the prices we pay for fuel. They were driving in their cars, comfy in their warm homes and getting themselves on food that we paid for. Why would you worry if you were them? From their perspective, everything looks great. Just remember that perspective has two sides.

They failed to hear us but, in all fairness, if they heard us; they didn't listen. They failed to enact laws to limit speculation on the oil markets. They failed to stimulate our economy. They failed to secure our borders. But they certainly succeeded in taking care of their special interests and their political ambitions

We are coming into a presidential election and this crisis sets the stage for each of the candidates blame each other for the failings of the system. I want to vote for a person that is willing to own up to their mistakes. We all make mistakes but politics has a funny way of exonerating our leaders of any wrong doing or responsibility.

Frankly, I don't see anyone that has served in Congress over the last 8 years being a viable candidate for anything in the government including the current positions they hold. McCain, Obama and Biden are all members of this dysfunctional institution we have come to call the U.S. Congress.

We need change alright. We need to change who runs the government. We need to throw out our leaders that don't serve us. Remember that they are public servants and we are the public who pays their salaries.