The Problem Is Not The Problem

The problem is not the problem. The problem is the process.

We have no process for solving problems. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the process for solving problems primarily works for those who have the lobbying power to get their needs met.

Generally speaking, the ones who get their needs met are the large corporations. Their lobbyists are problem solving geniuses, manipulative geniuses. They give money to politicians. Politicians listen to them.

Democracy is not actually working. Obvious things like lowering the interest rates for student loans are not being passed. (If we want to get back to making America great try working our way back to free college education, for one thing.) There is a list a mile long of obvious things that need to be done and are not being done.

There are too many money based interests blocking things. And they work together. Politicians trade support for their special interests. You support mine and I'll support yours.

The problem is not the problem. The process has been totally corrupted by special interests. Ralph Nader, who drove congress to mandate seat belts thereby saving, by now, millions of lives said that in the modern era he could not have accomplished the seat belt legislation. Back in 1965 he wrote a book, Unsafe At Any Speed, in which he demonstrated that seat belts would save lives. It was well researched and showed that the automobile industry was not taking the steps needed to make driving as safe as it could be. The evidence was absolutely convincing and he was able to convince congress that something needed to be done. Hence, seat belts and air bags.

Nader has said that in the modern era the special interests would have easily defeated his research. The corporate strategy against legislation of that kind has evolved to the point that virtually nothing they don't want gets done.

Now I know there are exceptions to this rule, but the overwhelming majority of obvious things are not getting done because The Problem is Not The Problem. The problem is congress, lobbyists, money in politics.