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Posted 9/28/11 by Common Good

Common Good Voices: David Rocker

David Rocker, friend of Common Good, recently published an editorial in Barron's, asking the question: Can we rediscover responsible American priorities?

As citizens and voters, Americans have refused to adopt credible plans to return to a more responsible path, choosing instead to vote for candidates who would provide them with short-term benefits, regardless of the long-term costs, a form of intergenerational larceny.

The markets have shown us that we have reached our limits. The Standard & Poor's lowered ratings and the Tea Party are not responsible for the recent market meltdown. Years of irresponsible fiscal policy, in both Republican and Democratic administrations, are the cause. We have brought this on ourselves, and we must fix it ourselves with hard work and sacrifice. Austerity is no longer an option. We must get used to limits and focus to a greater degree on what we need rather than what we want. The establishment of priorities when resources are limited is what budgeting is all about.

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We have much work to do. But the American people have the resources and the resourcefulness to do it if we recognize the new reality. It is time to focus on what is best for the common good, not special interests.

Read the whole thing here.