That’s right, you and me, as in “We the People.” Politicians and money men will always do what’s in their interests, not ours. Cut them and they bleed corruption and greed. Our founding fathers vested ultimate power in our hands in the hope we would be an informed and engaged electorate. “We the People” dropped the ball and lets these clowns run unfettered for the past 20 years. “We the People” got complacent and kept pulling the lever for the same congressmen, senators, and presidents who immediately sold us out. You know, the Bushes, the Clintons, the Kennedys…dynasties beholden to the interests of people other than those who sent them to Washington. Eventually, elected leaders from both parties felt they could do anything and get away with it.  I knew we were in trouble when I heard someone refer to the ‘ruling class’ on a morning talk show.

I also knew we were in trouble when I watched an episode of “Flip this House” a few years ago. I sat amazed as a 23 year old college graduate landed a $950,000 loan for a house with no cosigner and no money down. I turned to my wife and said, “Something is very wrong.” “We the People” took the easy credit and asked no questions of elected representatives who felt they were entitled to power.

No, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We could have stopped this years ago by simply being an informed and engaged electorate. Hey folks, we screwed up. That’s the bad news.

The good news is only “We the People” can fix this. Last I checked the Constitution says “We the People” are supposed to run this republic. That means us. Wall Street and Capitol Hill are in a panic. The White House is late to the fight and disengaged. Both parties are sliding into partisan bickering while America flounders leaderless. It’s time for us to take charge and show the world how a free nation fixes its own problems.

I know many of you are scared. I know you’re scared because everyone is quiet. People aren’t talking about the crisis around the water coolers or at the kids’ soccer games. We’ve heard talking heads and financial experts liken this crisis to 1929, Pearl Harbor and even 9/11. Most of us have never known real hard times.

Okay, what did we do after 9/11? Most of us flew the flag in front of our homes and on our cars and donated our blood. We did it to show the world we were united and would rise up and fight back. That is exactly what we should do now.

I want you to go get that flag, dust it off, and fly it in front of your house non-stop until this crisis has passed. By flying the flag you are sending many important messages to many different people. When you hoist Old Glory you are saying:

…we’re all in this together. I have faith in America and will do my part to support and see her through this dark time.

…I will not panic. I will leave my money in my bank and my investments in place.  I’m invested in America and will not tolerate her failure.

…I will support my community and neighbors though these tough times. As an American, my forefathers saw tougher times and made it through by keeping faith with one another and in God. Their blood runs though my veins.

…I believe God still blesses our nation.

…I will not let America fall from within while Americans are fighting to protect us abroad.

…I’m telling Wall Street I have confidence in America and our way of life. Wall Street will see my flag flying high and strong and know Main Street is made of sterner stuff than Wall Street. We’ll keep our cool, so you keep yours. But when this crisis is over we will never trust you again nor believe your promises of quick riches for no money down.

…I’m telling all the politicians in Washington I’m holding them accountable. Quit bickering and do the right thing, not the political thing. Politics will do you no good because when this is over there will be a price to pay. My flag represents one vote which will be cast against every sitting incumbent regardless of party. You have been negligent in your duties. You failed miserably. You’re fired!

…I’m telling America’s enemies not to take advantage of this crisis. We’re hurt, but we’re far from down. Iran, North Korea, Russia…back off.

…finally, I’m letting the world know America screwed up. We’ll own up to our mistake and we’ll fix it. Snicker now if you want, but we’ve been counted out before. We’ll take our lumps and hopefully learn a painful lesson, but we’ll be back.

Count on it.  

Why would the Democrats nominate a 47 year old junior first term senator from Chicago with no executive experience for the highest office in the land? Why would the Republicans pick a 44 year old fledgling governor from Alaska with only minor small town mayorship under her belt prior to 2 years as governor? No sane voter would cast a ballot for either ticket if experience were really taken into account.

Obama was nominated because he is black and Palin was picked because she was a woman. Its the cold truth. An equally articulate, handsome liberal white man with the same credentials and background wouldn't even be considered in the primaries.

If Hillary voters weren't so...shrill over being defeated by Obama ("...because it was her turn!") there is no way McCain would have selected Palin. If she so happens to be a true conservative and appeals to the base, well, that's only a bonus.

Richard Hobbs over at the Citizen Blog called this the "Affirmative Action Election," but I think credit might go to Michael Savage back in February. Its an accurate term. The real shame is Palin and Obama will always live under that cloud for the rest of their lives, regardless how either might do in office. People on both left and right will always sneer and comment that one or the other got the job only because of race or  gender.

In our rush to show how progressive we are, we've done the Republic and our posterity a disservice.

2008 - the year Affirmative Action reached the very top. Shame on both parties.