Our democracy has its consequences

We are reaping the unintended rewards of representative democracy. We have guaranteed rights that enable us to take things for granted. The result is not always utopia.

We are witnessing chaos unfold. An economic mess that seems to morph into something more scary. The middle class is in the process of being methodically destroyed. There are numerous politicians, some unashamed panders, others on the fringe, proclaiming a direct pipeline to God, seeking heavenly guidance in deciding whether to ride forth and save the nation from whomever is the prime target group for the day.

All of us have a right to speak out and hop on bandwagons led by the folks in the three-cornered hats, a woman from Alaska who is threatening to throw her hat in the ring, and others who can be spotted trundling around Iowa trying to tell savvy rural folk that they hold the keys to the brand new Cadillac.

And the target? President Barack Obama. Mitch McConnell is on record saying that his No. 1 goal is to make sure Obama is a one-term president.

People have a short memory, especially in this nation. The man has been blamed for our economic mess, all the way down to dogs across America barking at the moon and keeping John Boehner and Eric Cantor awake.

This is America. We can voice our opinion and get a little crazy without fear of being stood up and shot. We look at Congress and grind our teeth. This is a democracy, folks. Get strapped in, it is going to be a wild ride.

Jack Pilling

Cedar Rapids