Politicians just doing what politicians do

Recently, I heard a talk radio caller ask the host why our government leaders are promoting policies which in the past have proved ineffective and are out of favor with many in the public.

I was called away and didn’t hear the host’s answer. I don’t think the answer is hard to come by. The politicians in control, for the most part, enact policies that serve their purposes. The actions taken have less to do with stupidity (although there is no scarcity of that in Washington and in many state capitals) and more to do with design.

Consider the latest outrage du jour: bonuses paid to AIG executives. Does it seem possible that the powers in Washington didn’t know full well what AIG would do with the federal money? If so, why are there reports of a provision being inserted in the bailout legislation specifically authorizing any compensation arrangements contracted for prior to the bailout, with the author of that provision being our old friend, Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., he of the sweetheart mortgage deal from the now discredited Countrywide Financial Corp.

Washington is supposedly outraged and wants you and I to be outraged, too. But Washington insiders knew what AIG was doing and was going to do. Their outrage is for the benefit of the citizenry in order to deflect any fingers being pointed at Congress and its leaders, as well as to justify further government intrusion in the economy.

Most of AIG’s executives are probably card-carrying liberals, educated and indoctrinated along with many in Congress in the same universities, inhabiting the same social circles and routinely shuttling back and forth from businesses like AIG to government positions. The outrage professed by President Barack Obama and blowhards in Congress as well as the perfunctory grilling of corporate CEOs before congressional committees is just a big dog-and-pony show with big media dutifully amplifying all of the sound and fury.

We need to awaken from our 80-year slumberfest and realize our country has been methodically transformed while we slept — and that should give us all some sleepless nights.

Alvin B. Marks Jr.

Waynesboro