The Peregrin Falcon

Ok, so it is October 2008. Four months have gone by since I expressed my original problem with the current choices for President. Barak Obama, and John McCain are the official choices of the two major parties. Obama, and McCain have choosen Vice Presidential running mates. Debates have happened and scheduled to happen at least once more before the big day.

I am still not happy with my choices. The news of the day has changed. In June, the big stories were the war, the illegal immigration problem and the philosophical choices for Supreme Court Justices. The only story now is the looming economic crisis that has all the pundits saying those dreaded words “Great Depression” and “Economic Bail-out”.

Again, both parties locked in mortal combat, call each other names and drudge up the best of the worst minutiae available. Frankly, those of us in the real world are sickened at the pettiness.

Here’s what I want to see.

I want to see a person run for office who can be able to put the country ahead of his or her own family and agenda.

I want to see a person look at all the threats to the American way of life and decide which one’s must be address immediately and which one’s can wait for another day.

I want someone who can’t be bought.

I want someone to take both parties by the ears, drag them to the woodshed, and beat their hind-ends’ red, so that they never ever think of taking advantage of their positions of trust again.

In all honesty, it is time for We the People to send Mr. Smith to Washington. Only this time, we hold our government directly responsible.

We as a nation need to agree that all three branches of government have:

No more golden parachutes,
No more lifelong benefits,
No more access to the public treasury,
No more ability to raise taxes without a nationwide annual vote,
No more lifelong appointments to the Supreme Court or any other court,
No more allowances to live in D.C. and yet represent a different area of the country,
No more public monies for housing and transportation, and
No more ability to give themselves pay raises.

It is time for the buck to stop and for our representative republic to be just that, a true representation of the people’s collective will. It is time for wisdom to be valued over smoothness. It is time for virtue to be valued over memberships. It is time for actions to be traceable and to be clear.

Remember Washington, history, the nation, and the world are collectively watching.

According to Bloomberg, Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is auctioning a lunch with himself, the winner and seven guests. Last year’s winner paid $650,100. This year all proceeds are going to charity (not named in the article). The winner will have full access to Mr. Buffett and can ask any questions except what he plans to buy or sell.

When I read this article, I must say, I was completely floored. The immediate comparison of how much a similar amount of my time is worth screams from the page. Some people might be filled with jealousy, envy, or even disgust at the thought that a person would give the equivalent of over 17 years wages for a middle class earner in exchange for a lunch. Those people would be short-sighted. The big picture here says, “What is your time worth?” I can’t say I have known anyone who demands such a cost for their time; and it is no surprise why. What did Mr. Buffett do, that my circle of influence and acquaintances has not done? Mr. Buffett took a failing business and made in worth over $72 Billion in assets and holdings (Bloomberg).

Many people are talking about “win-fall” taxes for record profits. Many people want to see “big business” as the evil doer and general destructive force in the world. Many people would never, ever take a chance with their own wealth to better themselves or change their own financial situation. Many people are not named Warren Buffett.

According to Answers.com 233,000 people are employed by Berkshire Hathaway. If we allow our representatives in D.C. to see big business as evil, and tax those who produce the most for our and the world’s economy, we need to be prepared to tell the 233,000 people employed by Warren Buffett and the countless others like them that they are no longer employed because “we said so”. Also, we need to be prepared to tell the recipients of the charity monies that will no longer be available that they must go elsewhere for help; but not to the government since it will be broke from a lack of tax revenue after the evil big businesses are gone.

Maybe, we as a people should be more excited about hearing of other’s success. Maybe, we as a people need to be more informed producers, who see opportunities not yet taken. Maybe, we as a people need to get to the place where we say “gee, how can I do better today.” Maybe, we as a people need to do all of the above without blaming others for our lack of accomplishment. Maybe, we as a people can do more ourselves and expect less from the government. Then someday maybe more of us can have our time valued more.