Washington D.C. is probably the worlds most powerful seat of government and it is a town of unique dimensions.
The federal district is a grid of powerful stone buildings set amid a leafy and watered landscape of immense beauty. Its imposing block structures house incredible museums and centers of governmental power. Immense green spaces and trees create a calming influence amidst all the traffic, memorials, and thick architecture. Washington D.C. is a place that vibrates with national pride and world class importance. It is among the globes leading tourist destinations and is a rite of passage visit for millions of young students.
But, this beautiful chunk of geography is so much more. It may be "the shining city on the hill" that Martin Luther King prophesied in his " I Have a Dream" speech. The city represents the essence of our Founding Father's best ideas for liberty. Concepts born and debated in our early history from Philadelphia, Boston, Williamsburg, New York City and other cities and villages were hammered into history changing documents. Over the years the great laws of the land have been made more inclusive for women, all races, and ethnic groups. The three branched government of the USA has wisely provided for its citizens the most personal liberty and economic opportunity of any major nation in the world. For nearly 250 years our republic has survived numerous rogues and fools in The White House, Congress, and Supreme Court because we have a remarkable Constitution and set of laws. The classic "melting" pot of legal immigrants and engaged citizens has worked remarkably well. The District of Columbia embodies the ideals of the United States of America as reflected in The Constitution and Bill of Rights. This great city is a display and example which the world admires and many nations seek to copy.
However, it has a troubling and darker side.
The legions of bureaucrats that fill the halls of government have taken over too much governance of our daily lives. Because of their numbers and tons of annually generated regulations, the personal and economic freedom of everyone has been diminished. The government's highly unconstitutional goal to give "everyman" an equal share of the nation's treasure has produced mind boogling levels of micro management and a morass of laws counterproductive to everyones common good.
Feeding, clothing, housing, transporting, medicating, and caring for our poorest and neediest citizens was never a constitutional mandate, and has been a costly and failed federal project since the first days of Social Security. Additionally, the governments intervention has destroyed the traditional family in many communities, and diminished the legitimate role of churches, families, charities, neighbors, and civic organizations. Personal problem resolution and responsibility have been replaced by a government which can never be a father, mother, or "village" of concerned friends and neighbors despite trillions of dollars in social engineering schemes.
Managing education from Washington has resulted in a consistent decline in achievement within our elementary and secondary schools. Our international ranking is dreadfully low as federal education czars and their union allies universally resist decentralization and diversity in the ways we teach our children. For college students the federal loan system is a shameful disaster. The federal government sends money directly to the universities on behalf of students. This results in soaring tuition increases since Uncle Sam will pay anything and is unaccountable for its spending. Tuition inflation enriches colleges while bankrupting needy students. Many federal loan students leave school with crushing lifelong debts and degrees which in today's marketplace are often worthless.
From education, taxation, public transportation, veterans care, infrastructure, commerce, energy regulation, welfare, health care, and so many other pursuits the federal government has a consistent pattern of overspending, over regulation, and mission failure. National defense which is the principal and legitimate duty of the federal government per The Constitution is often subject to cutting to divert more funds to unconstitutional social programs. The darker side of Washington DC is its need for ultimate power in the lives and activities of its people. Unfortunately, this phenomena has grown over the decades by too many complacent, unaware, and non voting citizens. Drastic reform is needed to change and reduce the power and reach of many federal agencies. Additionally, individual states must recover the right and responsibility to manage many of their affairs without long distance mismanagement from Washington.
Another bad side of Washington D.C. is its ugly fringes where poverty, ignorance, and crime thrive and grow. The seedy seams surrounding the capital are ugly and dangerous places. Every city and town has its attractive face and nearby poor and crumbling fringes. Unfortunately, their existence might be a direct result of a Washington D.C. full of bureaucrats and politicians that believe programs sponsored by endless tax payer funds and tax hikes will solve deep seated social problems. We need city and town leaders strong enough to reform and educate individuals and support strong families rather then insist that more money will cure every community crisis. We need new national leaders bold enough to acknowledge past failed systems and procedures. We need these talented men and women to design and implement new schemes which will make America an exceptional nation again.
Washington D.C. will always reflect an image and certain reality that is the envy of many other nations of the world. However, looking past the marble monuments there are real problems with our federal government and in our communities. Unaddressed these ills will bruise and endanger the American brand and dream. In my opinion, it is about time we retire many incumbent politicians, fire incompetent civil servants, and take a chance with daring new national leaders.
The federal district is a grid of powerful stone buildings set amid a leafy and watered landscape of immense beauty. Its imposing block structures house incredible museums and centers of governmental power. Immense green spaces and trees create a calming influence amidst all the traffic, memorials, and thick architecture. Washington D.C. is a place that vibrates with national pride and world class importance. It is among the globes leading tourist destinations and is a rite of passage visit for millions of young students.
But, this beautiful chunk of geography is so much more. It may be "the shining city on the hill" that Martin Luther King prophesied in his " I Have a Dream" speech. The city represents the essence of our Founding Father's best ideas for liberty. Concepts born and debated in our early history from Philadelphia, Boston, Williamsburg, New York City and other cities and villages were hammered into history changing documents. Over the years the great laws of the land have been made more inclusive for women, all races, and ethnic groups. The three branched government of the USA has wisely provided for its citizens the most personal liberty and economic opportunity of any major nation in the world. For nearly 250 years our republic has survived numerous rogues and fools in The White House, Congress, and Supreme Court because we have a remarkable Constitution and set of laws. The classic "melting" pot of legal immigrants and engaged citizens has worked remarkably well. The District of Columbia embodies the ideals of the United States of America as reflected in The Constitution and Bill of Rights. This great city is a display and example which the world admires and many nations seek to copy.
However, it has a troubling and darker side.
The legions of bureaucrats that fill the halls of government have taken over too much governance of our daily lives. Because of their numbers and tons of annually generated regulations, the personal and economic freedom of everyone has been diminished. The government's highly unconstitutional goal to give "everyman" an equal share of the nation's treasure has produced mind boogling levels of micro management and a morass of laws counterproductive to everyones common good.
Feeding, clothing, housing, transporting, medicating, and caring for our poorest and neediest citizens was never a constitutional mandate, and has been a costly and failed federal project since the first days of Social Security. Additionally, the governments intervention has destroyed the traditional family in many communities, and diminished the legitimate role of churches, families, charities, neighbors, and civic organizations. Personal problem resolution and responsibility have been replaced by a government which can never be a father, mother, or "village" of concerned friends and neighbors despite trillions of dollars in social engineering schemes.
Managing education from Washington has resulted in a consistent decline in achievement within our elementary and secondary schools. Our international ranking is dreadfully low as federal education czars and their union allies universally resist decentralization and diversity in the ways we teach our children. For college students the federal loan system is a shameful disaster. The federal government sends money directly to the universities on behalf of students. This results in soaring tuition increases since Uncle Sam will pay anything and is unaccountable for its spending. Tuition inflation enriches colleges while bankrupting needy students. Many federal loan students leave school with crushing lifelong debts and degrees which in today's marketplace are often worthless.
From education, taxation, public transportation, veterans care, infrastructure, commerce, energy regulation, welfare, health care, and so many other pursuits the federal government has a consistent pattern of overspending, over regulation, and mission failure. National defense which is the principal and legitimate duty of the federal government per The Constitution is often subject to cutting to divert more funds to unconstitutional social programs. The darker side of Washington DC is its need for ultimate power in the lives and activities of its people. Unfortunately, this phenomena has grown over the decades by too many complacent, unaware, and non voting citizens. Drastic reform is needed to change and reduce the power and reach of many federal agencies. Additionally, individual states must recover the right and responsibility to manage many of their affairs without long distance mismanagement from Washington.
Another bad side of Washington D.C. is its ugly fringes where poverty, ignorance, and crime thrive and grow. The seedy seams surrounding the capital are ugly and dangerous places. Every city and town has its attractive face and nearby poor and crumbling fringes. Unfortunately, their existence might be a direct result of a Washington D.C. full of bureaucrats and politicians that believe programs sponsored by endless tax payer funds and tax hikes will solve deep seated social problems. We need city and town leaders strong enough to reform and educate individuals and support strong families rather then insist that more money will cure every community crisis. We need new national leaders bold enough to acknowledge past failed systems and procedures. We need these talented men and women to design and implement new schemes which will make America an exceptional nation again.
Washington D.C. will always reflect an image and certain reality that is the envy of many other nations of the world. However, looking past the marble monuments there are real problems with our federal government and in our communities. Unaddressed these ills will bruise and endanger the American brand and dream. In my opinion, it is about time we retire many incumbent politicians, fire incompetent civil servants, and take a chance with daring new national leaders.
No comments:
Post a Comment