Are our elected leaders actually doing their jobs?

2014-09-13T12:35:13-04:00

Our elected leaders serve an extremely important function in our system of governance and policy execution. Are they actually doing that job anymore?

Response by Capt Andrew Cosgrove made Sep 13 at 2014 12:36 PM

2014-09-13T12:36:07-04:00

I started this topic because I saw this picture, and honestly, I think it says a lot.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 13 at 2014 12:36 PM

2014-09-13T12:36:51-04:00

Not really. It's more a matter of political maneuvering and jockeying for position and personal advancement of agenda. At least that's how it looks from where I sit.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Sep 13 at 2014 12:54 PM

2014-09-13T12:54:32-04:00

In a word 'NO'... If they were our nation would not be in debt. If they were we would have secure borders. If they were we wouldn't have the social issues we have. If they were we wouldn't waste billions and billions of dollars overseas while our nation falls apart. If they were, the Federal government would not be in as much control of the individual states.

Any good community whether it's a family or an entire nation will have differences and concessions need to be made on both sides. We are a republic with elected officials who are supposed to have the citizens they represent and our nation's best interest at heart.

They do not, and it has been that way for a long long time... however I think it has gotten even more blatant. We as a nation need to pull ourselves together, put our petty differences aside and do what right for our future as a nation and our children's future.

It isn't a republican problem or a democrat or anyone political party problem. It is the problem of every citizen in the nation. We created this by electing those who make the decisions and policies. We did this by not holding them accountable.

A lot of people sit out talking but no one actually takes a stand. I am not advocating civil disobedience, revolution or anything that crazy... all I am saying is we need to hold our elected officials accountable. Make them do the job they were hired to do. They work for us, we pay their salaries... from the President on down. But the government has been allowed to get away with so much that politicians have forgotten their place.

Name one career field that if the CEO's and management team did what our elected officials have done to our nation would still have a job?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 14 at 2014 11:49 AM

2014-09-14T11:49:11-04:00

Let's not confuse our "leaders" with our "government". Also, remember that there are three distinct branches of government with distinctly different functions. That being said, I believe that the real issue is that our government is doing too much and our leaders are leading government rather than us.

Imagine how much less our government would cost, how much wealth would remain in our control, if our government were limited to its constitutionally mandated functions. The US would still be the envy of all mankind. More peoples would follow our lead rather than going off on tangents that lead only to more suffering and misery. Sadly, every branch of government is not only bloated beyond recognition (at least as the authors of the Constitution would recognize it), but also infringing on each others bailiwick. The President is legislating. The courts are legislating. The legislative branch (Congress) is attempting to adjudicate and administer government programs. They're even usurping private business. (Think Government Motors and Obamacare)

So, whose fault is it? Well, go find a mirror; hell, any shiny surface will do, and look closely. There you are. We have the opportunity to turn this mess around every two years. Did you even vote the last time. Will you vote this time? Will you vote for the incumbent? Incumbents will only insure that we continue down this path.

Sadly, if we don't turn this nation around by the votes of the majority, the only other option will be... well, let's not go there yet.

Response by SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D made Aug 25 at 2023 3:42 PM

2023-08-25T15:42:59-04:00

Some are really good while others should be run out of town on a rail and that applies to both sides.

Response by Maj John Bell made Aug 25 at 2023 3:48 PM

2023-08-25T15:48:09-04:00

Can't tell you when it happened. But at some point, the majority of our elected officials became more loyal to their party than to their constituents.