That was only 12 months ago?

From "Yes we can!" to "Actually, we prefer you don't," the Obama administration finds itself on the receiving end of voters wanting change....again. The President has had a very rough first year trying unsuccessfully to get a health care bill passed, create jobs and deliver on his original message of change in Washington. And yet here we are 12 months later with no health care reform (perhaps ever), unemployment still at 10 % (really about 20%), funds and banks making money at a clip not seen since 2007 via taxpayer-provided leverage (remember how this turns out?) and the US still bogged down in two middle eastern wars. Meanwhile, China continues to gain on us and our finances both as citizens and public entities suffer.

Yeah, 12 months is short order to fix two decades worth of excess. But that doesn't change the fact that for many it actually feels we are going BACKWARDS in addressing our country's problems. I am also aware that Scott Brown's victory is just one event and things can change. But the first 12 months have confirmed some of my darkest thoughts about politics in this country. They can be roughly summed up as such:

1) Republicans are often wrong, but they are very cunning. Their message for small government is appreciated by a populace who distrusts elites, has a very short memory and is generally frightened by change. This provides wonderful cover for short term thinking, self interest and greed.

2) Democrats have wonderful ideals, but they can not deliver. Instead, their tendency to overthink and forget who their audience is usually prevents them from successfully delivering on their policy prescriptions. To paraphrase Jimmy Cliff, "the smarter they come, the harder they fall."

I'll admit these are not exactly original thoughts, but this AM they seem more like depressing facts than opinions.

Oh and 3) Yes, it is feeling like a bit like Rome in the latter years. It's not just you.