If history reveals anything about American politics, it is that it is volatile and imperfect. The American political system is self-correcting in iterations. That is something that Barack Obama often says as if he is reminding himself of that truism. Following the wisdom of George Washington, President Obama had this to say:
"Put nation's interests before party
It is our unfinished task to restore the basic bargain that built this country--the idea that if you work hard and meet your responsibilities, you can get ahead, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or who you love.
It is our unfinished task to make sure that this government works on behalf of the many, and not just a few; that it encourages free enterprise, rewards individual initiative, and opens the doors of opportunity to every child across this great nation.
The American people don't expect the government to solve every problem. They don't expect those of us in this chamber to agree on every issue. But they do expect us to put the nation's interests before party. They do expect us to forge reasonable compromise where we can. For they know that America moves forward only when we do so together; and that the responsibility of improving this union remains the task of us all."
Barack Obama
As a people, we don't quit. Many citizens are angry with Congressional incumbents. They are mad at what I call, professional politicians. "Professional politician" is someone who starts out in life with the singular objective to secure an elected office.
If you look at the resumes of those incumbents in Congress today, you may discover that 80% are those who fit the definition. They accomplished nothing before being elected, and they didn't accomplish much after that.
American voters are well advised to remove them. However, we have done nothing to improve the process that produces candidates for public office. Our political parties have failed us, and unqualified, and most imperfect candidates continue to pursue political positions without voters saying no.
It is too late in Election 2016 to make a difference in Congress. While Donald Trump is not a professional politician, he is not qualified and suitable for the office of president either.
By education and experience, Hillary Clinton is a better choice. That does not mean that she is a good example. It just means that she is as good as it gets at this point.
If We the People screw up again as we have for many election cycles, we will once again produce an unworkable government. There are real consequences to our mistakes as we nearly had a financial collapse with George W. Bush. We have suffered greatly as a nation from a dysfunctional government that pits Congress against the President. When government belongs to us as our instrument to get things done, the onus for staffing a competent and functional government is on us.
Sometimes we are impulsive and fickle. That behavior hurts, therefore, we had better pay attention to what we are doing.
The movie title that describes Election 2016
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