We've lost our way.

Substuitute different names, and I suspect local politics in Sardinia may be very much the same as in the USA. Since I have arrived in Carbonia, a 'small' town of 30,000 inhabitants, a local city councilwoman has quit in a huff. Because she can't get along with other council members. I have heard that story so very many times when I was covering local government for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Rifts. Personality clashes. Between elected officials. Too many of 'em want their own way. Rather than working with the whole for the common good. It starts at the local level. And goes right on up to the county, the state and national politics. Never ending feuding. I used to think that was good. Good politic. But I'm not so sure about that any more. The acrimony in Congress is doing the country no good. Blocks things from getting done. I'm a maverick, of sorts. Like to go my own way. Like to dissent. But we've reached the point in the U.S. where nothing gets done. We're stalemated. Our aim is to defeat our political opponent at any cost. Even if it's bad for the nation. Maybe like that city councilwoman in Carbonia, we all should resign. Quit. And go home. Recognize that we are useless when it comes to saving the nation in times of economic, social and political peril. We no longer have the ability to work together. We've lost our way. --Jim Broede