We the people of the United States of America have the absolute right to demand of our elected representatives in Congress responsible management of the affairs of government, in keeping with the sacred rights granted by our Constitution.

Today, however, it’s frighteningly clear that those elected abandoned their duty to our country. They serve the wishes of special-interest constituents, crossing party lines and giving way not for what’s good for America, but what will gain them the most money and the most votes.

The lofty status of many politicians can only be maintained with promises of “something for nothing,” with total disregard for future consequences.  The built-in flaws of our democracy can only be overcome when strict laws requiring fiscal responsibility are passed, strictly observed except in time of war or dire financial crisis.

The Obama administration plans to enact, before year’s end, major health care changes during the hour of America’s largest recession in history, heaping untold trillions of deficit-spending on an already weary and overburdened society obligated for broken social programs in near chaos.

This health care reform, however badly needed, is being crammed down America’s throat to appease Obama supporters demanding such reform at all costs. Which raises that question again: Is there no conscience in government, only the appeasement of special interests?

George W. Bush in eight years as president appeased his special interests by cutting taxes and implementing Medicare drug benefits, giving no thought to fiscal responsibility. Has common sense completely fled the halls of our government?

Deficits in the trillions, rising rapidly, are a fiscal cancer and must be cured or our nation’s disaster is imminent.  A $56 trillion dollar “off balance sheet” liability (not reported) for Social Security and Medicare is larger than the combined worth of American corporations and individuals — and it’s growing bigger by the day.

Mankind has endured great sufferings from the beginning of time. It’s now time for America to realize that any republic undertaking the responsibility of curing the many ills of life for its populace, for planet Earth and for everyone in between is fated to perish under the very weight it imposes upon itself.  Simple philosophy dictates that you can’t help everyone, but you can help someone. However, it must be done within your means.

It appears in recent weeks that a great awakening is perhaps occurring nationwide through town-hall meetings, Tea Party functions and general conversation. Even the news media is beginning to question the arrogance of President Obama and Congress in attempting to force more social programs onto America’s already bloated bureaucracy. Is this evidence of change or evidence of revolt, the birthing of a smoldering firestorm?

In the backs of the minds of thoughtful Americans lurk grim visions of a day of reckoning fast approaching, creating a firestorm greater than what we now see at stormy town-hall meetings and possibly superseding anything in our history. Some of us ask subconsciously, Where to hide? Gold, or stay in dollars, which are rapidly looking like post-World War I German marks?

Repeated failures by our government agencies clearly show the lack of leadership in Washington, well before Obama got there.  Congressional committees designed to provide leadership and oversight don’t work. Corruption and scandal radiate throughout Washington with almost daily revelations of yet another heartbreaking example of the poor choices we Americans send to Washington. Little wonder that moral values in America are thrown under the bus by politicians exercising moral turpitude and poor leadership.

Both political parties are responsible for acting irresponsibly. Voters should remove those without moral conviction who vote for programs with no regard for fiscal restraint.

If America allows “business as usual” in Washington, the cancer will do its damage sooner rather than later.

Clifton Robinson is chairman of Robinson Media, which owns the Tribune-Herald.