Why all the cheery faces in Washington?

I am utterly sick to my stomach every time I see our president, and the other so-called leaders of this country, assembled in conference to supposedly hash out a solution to the nations defaulting on its loans.

One might expect to find affixed to the faces of those responsible for all of our financial future a look of seriousness and concern. But not so from the images I’ve seen; rather the opposite. Laughing, smiling faces, you would think they were frat buddies planning their next “guys’ night out” Oh well, just another ho-hum day at the office. Meanwhile, the 9-to-9 (9 to 5 no longer cuts it!) taxpayers, we’re the ones who wear the faces of despair and worry as we trudge the uphill road of uncertainty, not knowing if we’ll have enough to live on, if and when we’re able to retire.

What was the line Michael Douglas used in the movie “Wall Street,” where his character is the ruthless power-hungry Gordon Gekko — “Greed is good.” Is it really? Is it good that the world’s most powerful, and influential country is on the brink of defaulting on its debts? Am I supposed to believe it’s OK to borrow billions, indebting our children’s children, without any realistic way to ever pay it off?

No, I just assume the next time I see lawmakers on the news gathering to discuss the plight of our financial future that they wear a face displaying a little apathy and concern. Congress, do us a great favor and show us a little respect, even if you have to fake it for the cameras — wipe that pompous smile off your face, use your best acting skills and pretend you actually care!

Matt Schroeder

Buffalo Grove