Our politicians and "the American people"

They profess to serve the people.  They invoke "the American people" in justifying their actions.  Yet, the majority are really serving themselves, their special interest groups, their party, and their own constituency. That is their definition of "the American people".

Getting re-elected takes precedence over what's best for "the American people". 

How can our Congress say that they have the American people's best interest at heart when our financial house is such disrepair and there seems to be no inclination to repair it?   Trillion dollar annual deficits for years in the future yet they continue to propose new spending programs.  Like so many Americans, our Congress has used its ability to borrow money like at ATM with little regard for the long-term consequences.

The American people have a say in the matter, via their vote.  Yet, most Americans don't vote but bemoan their travails brought on by the current economic recession.   We "the American people" need to vote and write our congressmen and senators and hold them accountable.   When we do not hold them accountable, they simply tend to their special interest groups.   We need to remind them that their position as congressmen is to serve the American people, not vice versa.  Their elected positions are a privilege, not an entitlement.

We should all write, e-mail our politcal leaders and reach out to at least 10 more people to do likewise.  I once read that as little as 3,000 letters on an issue will get a congressman's attention.  E-mail make the process easier and more instantaneous.  I am going to write my two senators and district congressman telling them that I will hold them accountable and base my vote in their next election upon how they vote on spending programs.  I will encourge them to propose spending restraint and spending cuts, not just tax increases though I believe we will need some new taxes.

Please consider doing the same.  It's our country, too.  They are supposed to be public servants.  We must act to ensure that they perform their duties to truly serve "the American people" not vice versa.