DC itus can bring us down

For those with the means or luck to work periodically inside the DC beltway, and travel home to the real American world within our 50 states, just the differences in the DC vs local newspaper headlines about what is important is just amazing. Or just do a tour about American people, sometimes called a national political campaign, and sense the blue collar issues so important to most Americans, and these are hard working loyal Americans worthy of the most respect by most Americans.

Of course the normal response of those in federal positions is to blame the atmosphere of DC itus. And the argument has merits. After all the vast distribution and redistribution of the vast federal budget is important to all the sponsors, and it is a dirty business. Even young staff people and other technocrats, to include bureaucrats, are caught up in their cause and hired sponsors. These people are worker bees, and do the best they can with their education and limited experience. They are not leaders, nor expected to be. That their pay on the tax dime does provide incentive to them, and so the local real estate market benefits. Where we doctors of citizenry need to focus is on the leaders who suffer from DC itus.

Lest this citizen gets too bitter, it is important to remember our present government does have checks and balances, so even during campaigns, one person is more limited than what they may run on, or have authority for. Thank goodness. Examples abound. Can a governor dictate national immigration policy? Can a state attorney general dictate Wall Street practices? Can a city Mayor dictate legal homosexual marriages? Can a local school board authorize birth control pills for 12 year old girls?

Back to DC itus. For those without experience, times inside of the DC beltway are high and mighty times. Those who are federally elected are high and mighty. Those who are appointed to jobs hired by these high and mighty are properly full of zeal and good intentions. The consequences of what may decided fall by the wayside of zeal and egotism and being full of oneself.

Unfortunately we have a real country to run, a most noble experiment in humanity and the human future. And it needs leadership and some nurturing. Presently, it does not appear it will come out of DC. So others will dictate our future. What a lost opportunity!