Washington should clean its own house

Yesterday, it was the banks, then it's the auto industry, now health care and so on. There have been so many changes to the foundation of our country, so rapidly and at such a high cost to our deficit.

Perhaps the number of changes going on at the same time are intended to confuse. Therefore, here is my attempt at addressing the big picture using common sense and long-standing principles.

First, character is judged by the people you surround yourself with. Creditability is judged by consistency in words and actions. When the president appoints more radical czars who have a completely different direction for our country, apologizes for our country and says he wants to "remake" America, he creates an environment of distrust. Denouncing and insulting a large portion of the population for not agreeing with his administration or asking questions adds to the frustration.

The result is voiced in the town hall meetings by average Americans. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue. The concern for the majority of Americans is in protecting our freedoms and democracy. People object to the push for nationalizing businesses at the expense of the free market while making government bigger. The problem is the politicians who seek power instead of looking out for private citizens. Those who speak up are marginalized. The problem is that the system of "checks and balance" is under siege.

History has shown us that it is better to ask questions when government is overreaching, especially when the media does not. It is better to build on our country's successes with improvements rather than attack the foundations with radical changes. It is very American to voice your opinion and look for answers.

Before Washington mandates more programs and how to run our lives, perhaps it should clean its house first.

Stefan Borges

Winfield