History provides cautionary tale on silence

In a recent Rasmussen survey, a mere 7 percent of likely voters gave Congress a high mark.

Since our political structure includes citizens as well as politicians, both need scrutiny.

Holding a Washington political office has become an excellent means to attain personal wealth by granting favors to entities in return for gifts. Those favors include introducing legislation favoring such entities (foreign and domestic). The gifts can take many forms including a seat on a board of directors, a lobbyist job, campaign money, etc. Such cronyism represents a disservice to those who elected such politicians. The extinction of the Roman Empire reveals cronyism as a decisive factor.

A related factor in the poor rating is the self-serving partisanship that stifles constructive legislation. The Kavanaugh hearing is a prime example. Politicians shunned those who elected them in favor of their own party's self-interests.

Consequently, qualified patriotic individuals choose not to pursue a role in politics. This is not what our Founders wanted for us.

Sadly, silent citizens, as a bloc, do not realize they actually have more power than the individuals in Congress. Today, Washington mimics Roman Empire politics. Unless silent voters speak up, our grandkids and great grandkids will suffer as did the Romans in 476 AD.

In 1941 an enemy attacked us from the outside. Today, our enemy is us.

Bill Strilich

Marion