Morning Joe 10/10/11 -- Maybe it's a systemic problem

After many of us have been crying out loud, "It's the system, stupid!", Scarborough, Harold Ford and John Heilemann suspect this morning during the first part of Morning Joe that our problems in government might be systemic. There was no analysis beyond this recognition, though, except that stubborn Republicans have to talk to the Democrats and "get things done". Getting things done is big in the political class, as is talking to one another, but I would suggest that first they decide what  to talk about and what to get done. As long as Obama and Democrats are determined to raise taxes and manage the economy, there is little to talk about.

Scarborough was actually to the left of Harold Ford. Ford understands that regulations and central planning have created uncertainty in the market, even if Ford ultimately promotes clear intervention that doesn't cause consequences, whatever that is -- clear stimulus efforts to rebuild America, I suppose. Scarborough fell into a trap a long time ago, just like all Centrist Republicans, when he embraced the idea of working with Democrats to help shape a new economy. The Centrists made the same mistake that Republicans have made for decades -- they thought this time it will be different -- they thought Obama would reach across the aisle and bring everyone together in a smart government to "get things done." Scarborough and Centrists criticized the new breed of Republicans who held their ground regarding cutting spending and limiting government power, and now the Centrists can't criticize Obama and the Democrats fullthroatedly because they don't want to be associated with New Republicans, yet the Centrists are realizing just how politically vicious and statist the Democrats have become under Obama, Reid and Pelosi.

I will be the first to admit that both Republicans and Democrats are flawed, and the two party statist system is seriously flawed, but the degree to which Democrats are attempting to change the system to hardcare statism represents America's greatest systemic problem. Paul Ryan is not not the obstacle, as Scarborough suggested -- the problem is a statist system pushing a progressive agenda -- it has killed our economy, and until systemic changes are made to free up the economy, there will be no recovery.

I agreed totally with Scarborough and the Morning Joe gang later on when they called for an end to the Afghanistan War. Although the public is war weary and ready to bring the troops home, an alliance of neo-liberals and neo-cons remind us of the dangers of Pakistan and Iran and their nuclear efforts. So, what are we going to do, take over these countries and destroy their nuclear facilities? How is staying in Iraq and Afghansitan solving the nuclear problem as it relates to Pakistan and Iran? It would be like battling the Amish in Pennsylvania because Canada has nukes. Both Iran and Pakistan would likely collapse economically if we pulled out of the mideast, stopped all aid and started producing our own energy. Would this make them more dangerous? These countries aren't suicidal -- they are playing a dangerous Game -- one they've played for centuries -- but they are not suicidal. There are other countries close to Iran and Pakistan who are better suited to play the Game -- America needs to quit playing the Game and get serious about stopping our own government from destroying America, forget about Pakistan and Iran.