By S. I. Wells
Senior Columnist
USA

---

On the Middle East:

Is the democratic movement in the Middle East over? Certainly events call into question the ability of young, democratically-elected governments to control their own affairs. Does this mean that the United States should abandon all hope and bail on Libya and Egypt? Cooler heads would vote to stay the course. Democracy is a messy business that is not efficient and sometimes unpalatable. U.S. strategic interests in the Middle East and overarching humanitarian concerns dictate the U.S. keep at it and not be bullied by events, whether real or manufactured.

 

On Patriots not Partisans:

The Presidential election cycle will soon, mercifully, come to a conclusion. Regardless of who wins the Oval Office, unless the next President has a mandate that Congress is forced to respect, little will change for at least the next two years. The mid-term election in 2014, however, could tip the balance in favor or against the next occupant of the White House. To watch the current gridlock wreck havoc on lives is a very painful process. We are in desperate need of patriots not partisans. If the Congress is unable to do its job, I say send everyone home to get a real job.

 

On the 2013 Recession:

Every four years the United States experiences its Presidential election cycle. It is estimated that more than one billion dollars will be raised and spent to elect either Obama or Romney. One billion dollars buys a lot of television and radio commercials and newspaper ads. Come February, when the PACs have grown silent and the campaign money is a distant memory, the economic stimulus of the elective process will suddenly be gone. Not fade away, just be over. Regardless of what the Federal Reserve is doing, the economy will slow dramatically as it usually does post-Presidential elections.

 

On the News Media:

Shakespeare had the witches of Macbeth recite all together: “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble…” and that is certainly an appropriate bumper sticker for today’s media. To stir the pots and bubble up controversy is a surefire way to create an audience. But is it the right way to act? Media conglomerates are “for profit” enterprises that must sustain an audience to monetize through advertising revenue. As long as the public buys into the process of poking the fire, the media will continue to fill the caldron.

 

Link:

S. I. Wells' Profile at Stay Thirsty Publishing

 

All opinions expressed by S.I. Wells are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of Stay Thirsty Media, Inc.