"Solving problems isn't what our politicians do. They comment on problems. They complain about problems. They condemn others for not solving problems. Then, they move on to the next problem."

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The political 'tigers' we elect are actually ...
By EJ Montini, June 2, 2014

Our elected officials think of themselves as political tigers.

Always on the prowl. Always on our behalf.

(I'll pause here until you stop laughing.)

Actually, politicians are more like kittens.

Easily distracted. Totally self-consumed.

They will be totally enthralled by the latest string toy to pass in front of them. Obsessed with it, as if it is the most important thing IN THE WORLD. Until … another piece of string crosses their path.

Last week it was the Veterans Affairs "scandal." They couldn't get enough of it. It was the most pressing issue the country needed to deal with, the most important thing in our world.

Until … the prisoner exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.

Now THAT is the most important thing.

As if the VA problems have been solved. As if we have even started to solve the VA problems.

Doesn't matter.

Not to most of them.

Look at the appearances on TV made over the weekend member of Congress.

Solving problems isn't what our politicians do. They comment on problems. They complain about problems. They condemn others for not solving problems.

Then, they move on to the next problem. The next political piece of string. The next "scandal," which is best defined as anything that helps your party to beat the other guy's party in the next election, whether it's actually a scandal or not.

There are plenty of unanswered questions about the VA health system and about the release of Sgt. Bergdahl. The kittens in Congress will pretend to want to know the answers. And they will, sort of. But only if it helps them politically.

The real answers will depend on us. Citizens. Journalists. All of us. We can be as easily distracted as the pussycats we elect to public office. So we need to develop the eye of the tiger, to carefully and honestly evaluate the questions of the day and demand the answ … wait … what's that ... a new piece of string?
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