Super failure shows need for changes

Is it really any surprise that the so-called bipartisan Congressional super committee failed to deliver $1.2 trillion in federal budget cuts?

The group of Republicans and Democrats had one common intention. That was to protect their personal interests and secure re-election. Why take action that might upset some group of people who decide if you do or do not keep your job? The reason would be to try and do what is best for the nation. That is something most politicians have no interest in doing.

“Those who supported the debt ceiling increase don’t have a right to be disappointed by [this] news,” Rep. Jeff Landry (R-New Iberia) said following the super committee deadline.

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) said the super committee just kicked the can down the road to let someone else deal with it. “This deadlock is very disappointing,” he said.

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) also used the word “disappointed” when asked about the inaction. “This was a missed opportunity at a time when our country needs visionary leadership,” she said.

Total revenue entering the U.S. Treasury as of Friday was at 14 percent, the lowest level since the Eisenhower administration.

For the country to rebound, Congress needs to realize that by stopping restrictions on business at every turn and encouraging hiring and pay increases with tax incentives, revenue could increase to as much as 18 percent within a short amount of time. It is basically the same principle as what runs volume marketing.

Elected officials are not the only ones that need a lesson in government management.

The number of Americans eligible to vote and choose not to do so is embarrassing. With a population of more than 300 million, the U.S. Census Bureau lists approximately 225 million as being eligible voters. Of that number 90 percent are registered voters, but only 62 percent participated in the 2008 presidential election. That number drops almost in half during non-major election years.

We can complain all we want about Congress not taking necessary action, but until voters make some hard decisions in large numbers nothing will be accomplished.

Congress has failed. The eligible voting public has failed as well by not demanding more with greater participation.

Choosing to do nothing is not acceptable, whether it is elected representatives or voters that put them in office.