Recently on MSNBC, a news anchor spoke of the United States’ great debt of $70 trillion. This debt, which has grown exponentially within the past couple of decades and perhaps will continue to grow, is bringing the nation into economic decay.
More importantly, it is excusing our bank system of defrauding its American people. And in regard to this matter, the news anchor claimed—or rather, declared—in political panic that a “mathematical fact” is being ignored. Neither Republicans nor Democrats have taken this issue as a crucial one to immediately address, but instead have seen it as a debate over ethics.
Two facts need to be clarified. First, we live in a democracy with two major parties: the Republicans and Democrats parties. A candidate can be elected to represent one of these two major parties, but as president, the job is to address both parties in making political decisions—as it is supposed to be representative of the national choice.
Second, what the news anchor highlights is a significant point that is often overlooked by politicians: there are certain realities in politics that require immediate action, and spending years debating over ethics and how we could imagine our future, although ideal, sadly dismisses the problem at hand. There is one particular reality that is especially overlooked, and this dismissed reality is evident in our current race for presidency.
The four leading candidates—Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, and Bernie Sanders—all have a firm ground in their beliefs, which, with all due respect, are too extreme to govern a country that is currently dealing with a great debt in trillions, private trade relations that are carried out without public knowledge, and inconsistent immigration policies.
We have seen it, time and time again, whether from a Republican or Democratic president; there has been no consistent progress, at least within the past two decades of social and economic progress (as the Democrats claim) and national security without a violation of international law in war (as Republicans hope). And, in reality, any candidate needs the support of at least 20 percent of the 43 percent independent vote in the electorate in order to be in the lead.
A candidate representing extremely partisan views which only appeal to their respective party is already a bad sign. A Republican should have more than the social skills and the politically objective perspective to work with other Republicans. Otherwise, they are not representative of our government that is “democratically” representative of the people. Similarly, it should not be this way with a Democratic leader, either.
What is needed in a government is a healthy balance—one that does not only appeal to Republican or Democratic ethics.
A way to handle issues collectively, despite differences in ethics, needs to be found.
How to do so is up to the American people.