A government with moral and legal authority promulgates written rules and universally, impartially and uniformly enforces the rules, which provides a predictable and stable legal order on which to base economic and personal decisions.  The law prevails, not the proclamation or arbitrary decision of a ruler, government bureaucrat, the enforcer (e.g., policeman) or judge.

Daley: D.C. ‘dysfunction’ hurts jobs

William Daley, Obama’s Chief of Staff, knows political gamesmanship hinders Americans from investing, hiring and expanding their businesses.  Politico quotes Daley on D.C.’s  dysfunction and the absence of a predictable and stable legal order:

I do firmly believe that one of the wet blankets on this economy – and on companies, on the system right now – is a question as to whether or not our political system, whether the leaders can get together, whether they can solve big problems, or are they just going to kick the can?

Daley said, if he was a business owner, he would be concerned about unsound policies:  If I was a business owner trying to make a decision on an investment, I’d have a little concern right now whether this political system …  about our political system not being willing or able, seemingly, to take on big tasks. …

Dailey concludes: … this dysfunction that seems to be going on in this town. And that gets felt throughout, and there is a lack of confidence whether these political leaders in this town will have the guts to stand up and do the tough things.”

Simultaneously, Senator Patty Murray and many Democrats displayed why D.C. is dysfunctional.  They are furious with President Obama’s suggestion of reforming Medicare, which is a major contributor to America’s debt crisis.  Murray and powerful Democrats see Medicare as an ideal issue to whack the Republicans.

  Greg Sargent in the Washington Post reports: 

“We shouldn’t be giving away our advantage on Medicare,” said a source familiar with Murray’s thinking, in characterizing her objections in private meetings. “We should be very careful about giving away the biggest advantage we’ve had as Democrats in some time.”

 “For the first time in the past two and a half years we have an unmitigated advantage on a single issue where our entire caucus is united,” the source continues. “This is a case where the whole morale of our party was lifted by the fact that we were taking the fight to the Republicans.”

This gamesmanship and continual quest for power is played by both Democrats and Republicans.  Hence, Daley’s harsh depiction of dysfunctional governance is really a polite euphemism for immoral politicians.  America is in desperate need for ethical leadership.  

Virtuous political leaders are essential for thriving democracy.