Gridlock

People are dicks.  They’re pure assholes.  You know when you’re driving and there’s a red light up ahead but some cocksucker has the nerve to speed up and cut you off, only to have to stop short at the red light 10 feet ahead?  Yeah, that’s the dickishness I’m talking about.  It’s the culture of changing lanes in bumper to bumper traffic.  It’s worse than the simple “hurry up and wait” mindset.  It’s nastier than that.  It’s more malicious than that.

This is the culture of Capitol Hill now.  It’s less about winning and more about making sure the other side loses.  This didn’t happen suddenly.  Politicians have been trending this way for years.  The Debt Ceiling debate has brought the dickishness to the world’s attention.  We are completely unable to govern ourselves.  It is total gridlock.  Instead of waiting at the traffic light for the cars ahead to clear out, they’re just intentionally blocking the box.

Two compromises have been reached.  Two compromises that would have Keynes turning over in his grave, but that’s another debate entirely (this post is about the process, not the outcome).  Both will be (or have been) shot down.  Decisions are no longer being made in regards to what would be better for the country or more importantly its people.  All anyone can think of is how can I get (re)elected and who is going to pay for it?

I propose a solution.  No reelections.  People should not be able to serve consecutive terms.  Maybe political terms will need to be lengthened to accommodate this.  So be it.  Make a senate term 9 years, 3 years for congress, and 6 for the president.   This will let politicians govern instead of constantly worrying about reelection.  If the person does a good job, then people will remember them several years later.

On second thought, it might be time to give up on representational democracy entirely.  In a few years we’ll probably be back in a feudal system anyway.