Oh--I absolutely agree-and I think that was definitely the Founders' intent in creating representational government. I also agree that pumping in money in a significant way to free up credit as well as perception throughout the world in regards to the stability of our economy is an essential measure. What personally annoys me about all of this is the way the Bush Adminstration has handled it all--I think it would have been better to take the leaders of COngress aside, sit down privately and hash out the details of a plan--and then go public with the ADministration and top members from both parties saying together-"This is what we need to do, and this is when we need to do it."....I do understand that time is of the essence here, and that there can be no quagmire if we are going to avoid very big and far reaching (even more than they have been up 'til now)--however, with something of such enormity it seems like it's in the best interest of everyone to take some time to deliberate the very best course of action. And as you and MikeK both said-to then present an absolutely unified front.
There are times when a country must act for the good of its people even if the people do not understand and are not behind the action. I am afraid we are at such a time.
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As it is- the Congress blew it by failing to act when it was expected they would act.
My point was not that the people had a say in what leaders deemed best in a moment of crisis- but rather that it seems like it would be in the interest of the people (and the leadership) to take the time to educate the public what the crisis actually entails, and why they are acting thus. I don't have any political experience, but my experience parenting and teaching and leading teachers dictates that when I must make an unpopular decision, that it is easier for those who will be most impacted by the decision to get on board if they understand why that decision is being made. I still have the authority and the responsibility to make the right decisions whether or not others under my authority like them-but in the long run, if they feel like they understand the decision the whole process seems to go much more smoothly in the long run. (And obviously again, as a parent I do understand that the teachable moment isn't always in the midst of a crisis-and then when things are critical I just have to act and then explain later as time allows).
I know I'm rambling--but I just so wholeheartedly believe that knowledge is power, and that if some effort is made to bring greater understanding to the people that at the very least, perhpas they will be empowered somewhat in changing the future of our economy.
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