A week to chill and mull - fireside chat

Mother Nature called time out in Washington DC this week. Obama called a meeting with his enemies to talk it over. Natural events rule the agenda, such as an earthquake in Haiti and Blizzard in Washington.

Like snow removal, progress is slow. Unlike snow removal, the process of getting the US economy back on track is less certain. My belief is that much more order can be made of governmental and economic chaos.

Needed is a sounder management approach to address systemic failings and deficiencies. Needed are leaders who have an intellectual capacity to grasp the context of their environment and challenge, while avoiding the pitfall of frustration and hopelessness. The challenges are daunting.

Surely, Americans should have no more patience for bipartisan bickering. They should expect and insist upon progressive attention to the priority needs of the nation. Government leaders must readdress the founding principles of our economy based on free enterprise, albeit regulated.

The economic engine is driven by capitalism, not socialism. Public needs such as health and general welfare must become a higher priority than extensions of military power around the world. The US cannot and should not be used as the world police or military. Allied nations must work collaboratively to address global needs for security.

A prerequisite to global collaboration is developing such skill to work effectively as one government for the people represented by diverse ideas and interests. The machine of government must be reengineered to handle increasing demand for greater effectiveness.