American Civilization

American students learn that Baron de Montequieu helped to shape the government of the United States.  Key to the U.S. system is Montesquieu’s idea of different governmental branches to provide a separation of powers.  The U.S. government has these three branches of government:  the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches.

Now I’m beginning to think that maybe his idea was wrong.

Why?  Because all I see happening now in the U.S. political scene is nothing.  It seems that these checks and balances have caused inertia.  Whether the topic is health care, the economy, global warming or whatever, nothing is getting accomplished right now.

The « game » of politics has interfered with any accomplishments.  Obama is a Democrat; therefore, it is not in the interest of any Republican lawmaker to support his  policies.   To do so would lessen the chances of Republican victories in the elections during 2010.

The losers, of course, in this political game is the American public.