Tired of politics

The American people are sick and tired of politics as usual. For seven years, we have had to endure partisanship that has reached unbelievable levels under a Republican- led government and has not improved much with a Democrat-controlled congress. President Bush’s approval ratings are in the dirt at around 31 percent and Congress isn’t far behind at 22 percent. Americans are tired of the political games. While I cannot speak for all Americans, I can speak for myself as a liberal, and tell politicians why I’m tired.\nI am tired of being told by right- wing politicians that government is a hindrance to its citizens, when in fact it can be their champion. Ronald Reagan once said that the scariest thing ever said by the government is: “ I’m the government, and I’m here to help.” Conservatives use this phrase endlessly to describe their feelings toward government social programs. Unfortunately for President Reagan and his followers, the statement spat in the face of innumerable government programs that have made a positive difference in people’s lives. From the GI Bill and Social Security to the New Deal and Medicaid, the American government has helped millions of its citizens. Government is not the solution to most problems, but it does have its proper place in guaranteeing its citizens’ basic human rights.\nI am sick of politicians infusing faith and policy, quoting God when it suits their interests. Hope and spirituality have their place in life, but in government, truth and reality should be valued over any mysticism, no matter how popular it is. \nI am fed up with politicians who use wedge issues like immigration, flag burning and gay marriage amendments to distract from the real issues our country faces. The real problems in our country do not involve immigrants, gay marriage or flag burning, but lazy ideas and an uninformed population. \nI am sick of our political commentators who use words like socialist, communist and flaming lefty to describe liberals with little actual thought to what the words really mean. The right has many bad stereotypes about the left, but like libertarians and conservatives, liberals do not want to live in a welfare state, controlled by a large and daunting government. We value hard work, persistence and individualism and believe that those that are given health care and a living wage are also more likely to believe in them.\nMore than anything else, I am tired of our elected officials playing political games while at work. Two weeks ago Congress took up valuable time to condemn an ad by MoveOn.org. A week later, Democrat Harry Reid went out on the Senate floor to condemn – with the support of 41 other Democratic senators – a statement made by Rush Limbaugh. Children go without health insurance, bridges full of cars collapse and our schools keep crumbling, but it takes someone saying something mean to get our representatives to act. With politicians like this, it’s no wonder we are so tired.