Has the government we elected lost touch with the constituency?

I read an article in my hometown newspaper, The Denver Post, (article here: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_17774563?source=mng_fulltext) about the impending budget/government shutdown. Now, as I admitted in my first post, I am a democrat, and party trumps person for the most part when I vote in elections (and as a quick aside, if you're reading this, and can legally vote in the USA and don't, well then shame on you!) but a quote by President Obama caught my attention and made me determine this weeks rant.

First, the quote... Obama, eager to regain the confidence of independent voters as he seeks a new term, said the American public expects that its leaders "act like grown-ups, and when we are in negotiations like this, that everybody gives a little bit, compromises a little bit in order to do the people's business."

Though I believe the healthcare act is a step in the right direction when it comes to treating our fellow human beings with decency and respect and is truly important legislation, what continues to irk me slightly is the fashion in which it was passed. No compromise during the time that the government was democratically controlled is part of the reason we have a republican controlled congress at this point in time. And for the President to expect compromise after his unwillingness to adopt any of the republican agenda just shows how polarizing our current government as a whole is right now.

I have certain beliefs, but I am a better steward of listening to and compromising with differing points of view than our government is at this time. My hope is that at some point this current body politic can see past the petty differences, look at what is good and right for the country, show the globe a position of leadership and compromise, balance the budget without cutting our own leg off, find ways to stimulate business and at the same time provide tax incentives to once again make this country a place where business is done and done the correct and honorable way.

That is why I feel that our government has definitely lost touch with the people they are there to represent. If you feel the same, remember to vote, make your voice and vote part of the discussion and participate. Because when you don't participate at least with your vote, you have absolutely no right to complain about the person or people that are supposed to be representing your view. But that is a completely different rant of mine that I'll save for another time.

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