Too many basic functions of the federal government are failing us

What are we going to do about it?

The government is supposed to provide for the common defense and general well being. Yet the Iranians are literally attacking us and our allies throughout the middle east, and yet there is no public response by the Executive or Congress, not one hearing. One hopes some covert things are going on. But after decades of giving an inch to the Iranians and they take a mile, the future of our common defense looks worse than today. If the Executive and Congress cannot provide for a common defense, and keep the citizens even barely informed, then who will?

It took a citizen uprising to stop the Senate’s recent “comprehensive immigration” reform, this being the third time since the mid-60’s. In the interim, literally millions of illegal immigrants have invaded our Country with little apparent problem or challenge. The government is supposed to guard our borders and control our immigration, but has failed us in this so basic government function. If the Executive and Congress can’t do this, who will?

The spate of poisoned and unsafe foods and toothpastes and pet products and tires from China begs the question, who is checking our imports? Our China imports have increased dramatically (40% by one account) but the Food and Drug Administration inspector work has not increased at all. The way I read it, we citizens are the guinea pigs, and when we or our pets start getting sick or dying, then the FDA learns about it and takes corrective action. If the Executive and Congress can’t do this, or even fund these preventive inspections, who will? Who will make the Chinese and others go by our auto safety standards, our food safety standards, and even our radiation standards? Who will tell them this is not negotiable, and hold them to it?

Recently federal responsibilities and funding have extended to the infamous bridge to nowhere in Alaska, rehabilitating a public park in Chicago, and making a bicycle trail in Tennessee. This suggests our Executive and Congress have misplaced priorities.

None of this discussion is about rocket science. Some leadership is called for in recognizing the most basic requirements of any federal government, and acting accordingly. And some management skill is called for in implementing these most basic federal government responsibilities. If the Executive and Congress can’t do this, then it is time for the voters to change our Executive and Congress.