Our leaders need to think more deeply

Thomas S. Woolsey, Henderson

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008 | 2:03 a.m.

Repeatedly, on a daily basis, discussions regarding the course being set for this country take place.

How do we get out of Iraq? How do we turn the economy around? How do we take care of our aging population? How do we take steps to ensure future generations are protected? How do we provide decent education opportunities for our children?

The list goes on, but unfortunately it has become a perennial football.

We have not allowed any of these issues to have more than a 60-second sound bite airing. We continually look to others to provide answers, and thus far we have come up empty. The country has fallen into a reactionary mode.

We follow courses without proper understanding. Some of the people entrusted with leading have ensured their well-being at our expense. Many times there has been a call for new leadership, for citizens to take time out of their lives to enter public life and help with working on solutions.

It seems as if people have little or no interest in their government, though the opposite is the case. There is an underlying reason citizens refuse to get involved and do not subject themselves to the rigors of campaigns. Being labeled, having their lives microscopically dissected, being forced to solicit funds from people with attached agendas and having to put their lives on hold all in the name of good governing are too much.

Those who should be involved are forced to take a position on the sidelines. We cannot ignore the problems much longer; we are running out of time.

The rules have got to be changed to include the disenfranchised. The Constitution was written for “Government of, by, and for the People.” Anything less is a miscarriage of justice. Allowing everyone into the discussions will provide equality and develop more inclusive solutions.