With Eyes Wide Open

As you watch the debate tonight keep this in mind.

Amidst the massive failure of our financial institutions and shrinkage of the capital markets... no one has gone or is anticipated to go to jail. No laws were broken in this devastating process. Although the SEC is investigating and will likely find misconduct in investor leading, the demise of our economy to its current state, happened lawfully.

Over the course of 30 years, politicians, civil servants, members of the house and senate voted to deregulate and significantly reduce oversight of our financial markets. Lobbyists pushed for deregulation, politicians accommodated and the inner circle grew giddy and greedy. Further distancing themselves from the greater good of the constituency, and their oath of office while pandering to the wealthy few.

There are two men on the stage tonight. One has been outspoken in his concern about the state of the economy, the worsening conditions, and the need for regulation and oversight since he stepped into the arena as a junior senator, and more aggressively in the past 2-3 years. The other has consistently voted for deregulation. He has participated and been complicit in unlawful banking practices, which wiped out entire savings accounts of thousands of people. Although a member of the Keating Five, he emerged unscathed.

Both call for change, and possibly both can affect change moving forward. But it is important to remember that government has had a hand in this crisis, corporations and financial institutions perpetuated the crisis, and the taxpayer is paying for the crisis...

So listen carefully to the facts. Be hopeful for the future, but do not discount the past as "water under the bridge" or insignificant history. History repeats itself because human beings are fundamentally hard to change. So looking at a person's repeated, past behavior, and getting a glimpse into his character should, at the very least provide some level of insight as to what his behavior might be in the future...

This election is important. What we do as a country moving forward is of grave importance, given the unprecedented hole we have found ourselves in today. Yes we have faced financial distress in the past, but correct me if I am wrong, we have not faced it in conjunction with a clear lack of perceived judgement and strength by our global neighbors. For the first time, in my life, America feels dangerously weak.

I will watch to be informed and yes, inspired. But mostly to be involved. It is clear that neither a capitalistic country nor its government can prosper without the guidance of its citizens.