Voters have only themselves to blame

When asked in 1960 at the University of Hawaii whether Kenya was ready for self-government, our president’s father, Barack Obama, Sr., answered, “If the people cannot rule themselves, let them misrule themselves. They should be provided the opportunity.”

Ironic, isn’t it, that the House of Representatives should be giving an example?

The words of a friend from Nebraska put it succinctly, “The blame we place on Congress for stalemates and stupidity is misplaced. The blame should go to the voters. The most recalcitrant, the most ill-informed, the most incompetent of the Congresspersons were elected to do exactly wthat they are doing -- to hone in on a set of financial and social issues (debt, gay marriage, etc.) and to fight as hard as possible for those positions, never to compromise on any issue their voting supporters favor.

“What is happening in Congress now is an excellent example of one of the dangers of term limits. All the attempts at compromise seem to be coming from old timers who have built a tradition of trusting one’s opponents, of accepting differences and working around them.”

Are Americans ready for democracy?

Marion J. Reis

Wheaton