Never before have I come so close to abandoning my right and privilege to vote. The level of disdain, frustration and sadness I and so many others have with our political system has now surpassed the same feelings many have for our educational and health systems.
Why should the silent majority of Americans turn over one more dime to individuals, politicians, who cannot work together? This lack of leadership, now perceived by many to be at every level of government, is affecting Americans much deeper than our leaders can possibly realize. And I can only hope that it is simply not realizing the ramifications of partisan politics. If politicians were living in the reality of the majority of our citizens then this behavior is shameful. The political system is allowing for a pervasive sense of hopelessness, frustration and fear. Especially fear for those who are already at that point of no return with their health care bills; college tuition; mortgages and more.
Sadly, It is really not a matter of trying to convince politicians to compromise at this critical point in our American history and that somehow all will be right. Compromise is an absolute must. The work will be in the recovery from this latest and worse political/civil debacle I have experienced in my lifetime. Americans are not losing faith in their politicians. It is lost.
I make this as clear as possible- compromise, and make every effort to deliver this message to your democratic and republican congressional colleagues. This is the request, the demand. Though my desire to cast a vote may be in question I would offer and predict that if there is not compromise the reaction by citizens will make the popular tea party shenanigans look like the true definition of a “tea party.”
Lead, give hope, do the right thing.
Matt Masiello, M.D., MPH 