Democrats must fight attention deficit

The Republican Party, not the Democratic one, has discovered the formula for near White House dominance for years to come. Beginning with Ronald Reagan's administration in 1981, the conservative movement in this country has gained traction winning 20 of 28 years since their victory almost three decades ago.

With the contrived release of American hostages in Iran immediately after Reagan took office to several George W. Bush's morass during his presidency, Republicans have staged a virtual coup in Washington to capture expectant political power awaiting them. And the divided Democratic Party has no clue!

The strategy of the Republican Party? Tell the country that liberals can't restore America's security or its fiscal health unless conservatives are in charge. And never commit the folly that they were the cause of the country's existing predicament. And by no measure should conservatives remind the public that they are responsible for 90 percent of the national debt.

This strengthening political force relies on America's attention deficit disorder with no patience to repair the nearly impossible conditions that may never be reversed. At best, the Republican Party will concede one term of the presidency to a Democrat, but as recent history has shown, 20 of 28 years to pass favorable conservative legislation, nominate right leaning Supreme Court justices, and begin unending wars that allow the already affluent to become more so, these accomplishments might be just enough.

We have become a country of fast food, fixes, and anything that gets in the way of expediency. The era of plodding meticulously to grope with a problem before a solution is found is over.

Unless Barack Obama recognizes this pervasive inflicted syndrome and deals with it, his tenure at the White House will be only four years and the Democratic Party may again suffer the long-term consequences of a successful strategy discovered by their loyal opposition. James D. Cook

Streamwood