Public Needs to Stop Blaming Politicians

It may sound crazy but I think it's true. We've all become fantastic whiners. We do it well. We know all of the problems and have many of the solutions. What we don't do well is take responsibility for how we got to where we are. Obviously I'm including myself in this "we" because I've joined in now and again, placing blame but seldom taking any. Yes, we have to look in the mirror more often as we blame politicians and elected officials for all the wrongs of the world. Why? The answer is easy. We've allowed it, participated in it and sometimes encouraged it.

What's happening in New York State right now is a great example. The Speaker of the Assembly has been arrested and accused of serious fraudulent and unethical activities.  The US Attorney has insinuated there's more to come. Some 30 NYS legislators have been accused or found culpable of various violations of law or ethical behavior. We've had people elected or re-elected to office while under indictment in the recent past. The list goes on.

Worse yet, the politicians see it all happening and then turn around and repeat the process in front of the press and the public. That's what's happening it seems with the selection of a new Speaker of the Assembly. There isn't any clear and open vetting process. The selection which was supposed to be more open, happened for the most part behind closed doors. Power blocks and power brokers determined who and what region of the state would be represented and in the end, the candidate selected has what seems to be a list of questionable financial issues.

But the reality is that there is no real outrage. There is no real push for reform. It seems we, the public, are so enmeshed in the sleaze that we find it hard to navigate our way out. Yes, the public is part of the problem. The public is made up of the people who donate to the campaigns and who are members of the clubs and machines. The public is made up of the organizations and causes that are on the receiving end of the corrupt politician's awards and announcements of funding. In reality, most of the public doesn't really see the connection between support and expectations, or worse believes it's acceptable and reasonable.

What am I suggesting? Outrage and push back would be a good place to start. Not letting people get away with closed door processes while they preach transparency and pass legislation on freedom of information would also help. Getting behind real efforts for ethics reform and campaign finance reform would also help bring about change. All of this should cross party lines, so not listening to party hacks connecting these reforms to the opposition is another thing we all need to consider and act on.

So yes, let's stop blaming the politicians and take some responsibility ourselves. Look in the mirror and begin to think about why we let this happen over and over again. The first step is to recognize it but then take some strong action. Speak up about it. Let people know that this is not the way you expect them to govern or lead.