The Biggest Losers

Reflection on the state of affairs is appropriate on the anniversary of Winston Churchill's passing. A great statesman who was not afraid to swim against the tide, never lost sight of his vision for England and understood the complexities of achieving goals within a democratic society. His was not an easy task - he switched parties, was "left out in the cold" at various points in his career and he was wrong - Gallipoli was a major tragedy from planning to operation. But he spoke his mind and dealt with people on both sides of the aisle to accomplish his goal of captaining his country through treacherous waters to eventual safe harbor.



Today's pundits believe the election of Scott Brown is a reaction to health care. I believe it is not, I believe the people of the United States, and, in this instance, Massachusetts are disgusted with how our country is being governed. Congress no longer believes in understanding, or trying to understand another's point of view. They are too busy screaming at each other to listen, they are too busy worrying about the next vote, the next election, the next pork barrel project to be granted as payback rather then where all this is leading the United States. What happened to honest disagreement, to attempting to come together with a compromise to move the ball forward?



The shrillness emanating from the lips of our elected officials takes my breath away. Surely we have learned that extremism, in all forms, is not a good thing. From religion, to food, to drugs, to politics - where is it that extremism has served anyone well?



When will we realize we have been given a golden gift by being United States citizens? When will we treasure our birthright and understand the obligation bestowed upon us by being part of this grand democratic plan? Scott Brown, in his first news conference, spoke of his path to becoming senator. From a child of welfare to the halls of the United States Senate. Doesn't that make you proud? We have a President climbed the ladder to success through hard work, ambition and dedication - not from a trust fund. We have leaders of our society from business to politics who rose from nothing and achieved. Why are we losing sight of this?



The atmosphere is poisonous and we are ALL LOSERS. Every single one of us. The flag burning of Wall Street, the tom-toms against Bernanke, the falsehoods on health care being circulated because of vested interests - who are the real losers? Us, all of us.



When we reflect on what we have been given and how we have handled our treasures, do you think we will be proud of ourselves? I think not. It is not simply the politicians, it is us. We are permitting this to happen. Shame on all of us.