We, the people, bear ultimate responsibility for bad government

Who's to blame for Pennsylvania's budget impasse? There is no question that our political leaders have abrogated their solemn oath to discharge the duties of their office with fidelity.

However, the bottom line is that we, the people, are to blame. We, the people, spend more time and thought voting for the next American Idol than we do for our next state representative. We, the people, know more about Ben Roethlisberger's passing statistics than our state senator's voting record. We, the people, agonize more over Jon & Kate's (Plus 8) family budget than we do about the lack of state funding for local human service agencies.

Article 1, Section 2, of the Pennsylvania Constitution states that "All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness."

We, the people, have surrendered our power and authority to career politicians who thrive on our ignorance and profit from our numbness. Until we, the people, put as much thought, passion and energy into civic participation and political involvement as we put into "Dancing With the Stars," we have no one to blame but ourselves.

 

KEITH G. KONDRICH
Swisshelm Park

 

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