Congress Pops Off

A fundamental flaw with our democracy has been revealed this week. The Congress has been engaged, connected, vibrant, energized, and angry over the proposed "bonuses" being doled out by bailout recipient AIG. In world-record time they've passed a 90% tax assessment on these payouts and grilled the hapless CEO over the proverbial coals. All in the name of saving the taxpayers $160 million. Hmm, wouldn't it be wonderful if they exerted such energy over something that really mattered like Social Security, the wars, Medicare, global warming, job growth, or curing the common cold? The tragedy is that politicians know how to latch on populist ideas and are willing to take strong positions with fiery rhetoric. But they sit aimlessly on the fence with all of their spineless cohorts when it comes to tackling the issues that will guide the course of our existence as a viable nation. If I were a younger person at this moment in history, I would be livid.