Why Americans are angry
Editor's note: Online readers get a preview of the My Turn column that will be featured in tomorrow's print editions of The Press.
By REID HARLOCKER
Special to The Press
Is there media out there that truly recognizes why the everyday person, the 9-5 working man or woman, is angry and fed-up with our federal government? Who is honestly able to assert that they are satisfied with moral standards, or even the legislation represented by either the Republicans or the Democrats, and that the job they are doing is truly good for the country?
It’s no wonder we are angry, what with the bias and abysmal content of our “free media.” The purveyors of television news are seemingly convinced that the anger is about people or groups — the President, Republicans, Democrats, Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, Bill Maher, or even something they call a Tea Party. It’s not.
Real anger brewing in America is over how our government has been hijacked by special interest groups. That’s what the media is failing to realize and report . It’s about banks, insurance companies and any organization, company or group of companies who wave a few bucks in my Congressman’s face and get through the door.
The servants and protectors of the American way have evolved into a bunch of modern day privateers, paying themselves first and living life like the Donald. They hide their bootie in and bend the rules of tax exempt 501C’s and 527’s, soliciting for even more while attending nightly high society DC parties, golfing at private clubs and jet setting around the world at taxpayer expense.
The media folks and every politically linked individual in Washington DC are truly living in a freaking bubble, but the media has got one thing right: We are really angry and we want significant change to take place. Otherwise the lid’s going to blow off this country.
What angers us? We want health care reform, but we got a proposal for insurance reform that benefits the insurance industry. No mention of single payer anywhere; it seems to have been effectively and intentionally hushed by the press, the President and Congress. How come? Money and handouts from the likes of Aetna, the Lewin Group, United Healthcare and more; handouts used to buy our government?
The banking/investment industry: They walked away from a mess they created, scot free. Where is the promised reform? Bought legislation, just like the derivatives mess, and if Barney Frank thinks he can hide behind his gavel he best think again. How does he look himself in the mirror knowing what he does about the history of betting against subprime mortgages, and his friends at Goldman? Either he’s a liar, stupid or both. We know what happened and we don’t understand why “the press” doesn’t pin him and the other amigos that have been on the House Finance Committee since the 1990’s?
We have a jobs crisis in America. Statistically there are now 1.7 jobs seekers for every job posted and tens of thousands of Americans have just given up. We wanted a jobs bill and we got more funds for special interest. Puppet shows, fruit fly research, a plethora of very liberal leaning special projects, not real jobs. Try a moratorium on payroll tax. That just might stimulate investment, encourage savings, purchasing and create those real jobs. But no, that idea like single payer health care is nowhere to be seen.
A campaigning Barack Obama promised an end to influence peddling in Congress and in his administration. What did we get? We have watched the floodgates open over the past year. There is, pardon the plagiarism, “So Damn Much Money” that even the most cautious politico has turned into a greedy me-first oinker.
Oh yes we are angry. Mr. Crapo and Mr. Minnick, you best be paying attention because your scores are pathetic. We may not know who we are going to vote for yet, but rest assured that in my book if you haven’t served the interest of this country first then you need to pack up and go home.
I can remember a time, not many years ago, when after writing to Congressman Foley I received thoughtful personal replies. Today you must choose a subject from a web site drop down box and within a few weeks a canned reply arrives from Mike Crapo. Chances are, you may also receive solicitations, and maybe even a slick 8 x 10 glossy color exposé detailing the dedication and alleged accomplishments of your Congressman. Right, Mr. Minnick?
This has got to stop. The business of the people has been traded for personal enrichment, endless campaigning and salacious special interest media blitzes distorting the facts about what’s really going on in Washington, DC. Sadly, if you look past the sound bites and the smoke and mirrors, the real story isn’t about the gridlock, or the lack of accomplishment, or accomplishment by Republicans or Democrats; it’s about money, and it’s time we change the status quo.
Reid Harlocker is a Hayden Lake resident.