The Defense is Offensive

It seems that the political-party-divided legislative bodies, both state and federal, have become addicted to the football defense squad mentality, style and morality.
The goal of the defensive squad of a football team is to prevent the other team from scoring points. When the end of the game equals zero for both teams then the defensive squads have had a perfect game. If the offensive team scores any points, then the defensive team has failed.
Our political parties have evolved into extremely aggressive defensive football squads who have become offensive. The goal of our political-party-driven legislative bodies is not to make goals, but total defeat of the other party. The goal of our elected officials and lawmakers is not to solve or even address problems or issues or things like justice and fairness and equity, but to prevent the other party from scoring any gains or progress or points or legislation beneficial to the commonweal.
Theirs is not to address the future, not to ponder and struggle with issues like the environment, immigration, tax reform, education, public health/medical care, national defense or other issues, but rather to be elected and prevent the other party from being elected or reelected. If constructive and beneficial legislation that is good for the state or nation’s population, is passed into law, then the defensive squads of all political parties have failed.
And what are the major accomplishments, contributions, advantages or noble purposes served by our legislative bodies?
What have they done for the middle and lower income segments of the commonweal? Are we healthier, safer, saner, better educated, with more opportunities for growth, equality, advancement, justice and mutual respect and tolerance?
What are the advantages to the voters/taxpayers for having elected legislative bodies to serve the people?
What major or minor signs of progress, of improvement, of advancement to our communities and the nation can be used to illustrate just how effective our elected officials have been in the last fifty years?
It is depressing and demoralizing to hear or read the daily news that is primarily about the lack of legislative leadership that addresses major issues, problems and opportunities that face our population.
Has it always been so? Was there a time when elected officials were actually leaders rather than defensive linemen whose job was to thwart all any and all progress or beneficial governance? And we add to this morass the current character of executive leadership that seems determined to rule by dictatorial fiat rather than personal wisdom or intelligent and informed insights and vision.
And we live with the pounding, invasive, show business, Madison avenue inspired but hopeless charade called campaigns leading to “elections?”
Ah, me. Happy new year?
Richard E. Lake