Close it down

Wait, wait, wait! 

Don't shut down the government!

Close down Congress for several weeks, turn out the lights in the White House and allow the president to head to the links to improve his golf game. Let's throw the lobbyists out of town and invite a handful of educated constituents who know how to compromise, think on their feet, make informed decisions, and call the shots. Common sense is definitely a prerequisite for those who want to right this sinking nation.

We are not asking for much other than cooperation from elected officials, especially a handful who apparently flunked fifth-grade history and couldn't pass a basic American trivia quiz.

Sarah Palin told an audience that Ronald Reagan graduated California's Eureka College. Reagan matriculated from Eureka College in Eureka, Ill. Rep Michele Bachmann made a real boo-boo when she said the "the shot heard around the world" occurred in Concord, N.H. According to Map Quest, she was only off by 71.5 miles. That shot was first heard in Concord, Mass. Bachmann has been on a roll, saying that the nation's founding fathers worked to end slavery. Our founding fathers owned slaves and it wasn't until the Emancipation Proclamation that blacks were freed in 1863. She topped it off by saying she wanted to thank the people of Idaho for her visit. She was in Iowa. 

Oops!

The sideshows in Congress are a wonder to behold. My favorite is the tears of a clown - John Boehner who cries needlessly at the drop of hat. Quick, get that guy a hanky.

And there is the president trying to sell us on our fireworks display in Libya, telling us all this intense bombing campaign was a humanitarian venture to protect Libyans from their leader. I guess the citizens of the Congo, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia aren't that important - for the moment. As long as there is oil in your backyard, America will come to your aid - because we really care - about the oil.

Here in the Pine Tree State, we have a governor who fancies himself an art critic. A dispute over the removal of harmless mural erupted at the State House and consumed his administration. What a public relations disaster for Maine's leader, who can't seem to pick his political fights wisely. Where was his staff on this one?

What is transpiring in Washington is simply absurd, inept and really insane. Congress has got a twisted agenda, which obviously doesn't include their constituents' welfare. Both political parties are to blame should the government stop doing business after Friday.

While these 535 lawmakers, although I wouldn't call them that, haggle and finger point, the country continues to perform like the hapless Red Sox this season.

This is a nation that gave away good paying jobs to China, celebrates celebrity to the extreme, blames teachers for society's woes, and meddles in the Middle East whenever our oil supply is threatened.

The United States has been coming undone for nearly five years and many citizens have become disenfranchised thanks to leaders whose only concern is themselves.

There is no excuse for this stalemate. Just remember that when you head to the polls in 2012. Think about the guys and gals up on the HIll. They all had a big hand in weakening a nation and turning a deaf ear to their citizens.

What's the difference if the government closes up shop, anyway.

America hasn't been in business for years. We have been giving the store away for decades - and now there is nothing left and all the bills have come due.