If ever a story deserved non-stop coverage, it is the one being told by David Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, about the imminent danger that threatens our nation's security. Could the United States be going broke? The story doesn't get much coverage; over the past year I have only seen coverage one time, and based on the scope of the problem it could be equated to a sound bite. There are a few stories on the internet at usatoday.com and cbsnews.com, which are well over a year apart, so this is far from breaking news. You would think this would be a hot topic for the Presidential candidates; I only recall Mike Gravel bringing up the subject. What amazed me the most was to hear that all the candidates were invited to meet with David Walker, but very few showed up. It seems most of the politicians know about the problem, and even agree with the assessment, but choose to do nothing about it.
 
And why do they do nothing? They are afraid of not being elected. It seems winning an election is more important than doing what's right for our country. Frankly, I would rather lose an election and stand for something, then win an election and stand for nothing. We the people are no better; the politician is correct, in that we won't elect someone who will say what must be said. We vote for the person who tells us what they can provide, not the one who asks us to give. Would we vote for the person who asks us to sacrifice? What he or she will have to suggest is "inconvenience", and we better be ready to accept it on our own terms; otherwise, we will have inconvenience thrust upon us.

And of course there is the media, who will devote countless hours to a story about a celebrity; we get expert opinion, exclusive interviews, and a mob of reporters following them around. Why isn't the same done for something of far greater importance? Since no one in Washington is doing anything, Mr. Walker has been traveling the country taking his message to the people. Where is the mob of reporters following him around? Where is the expert opinion? At the very least, tell me if his message is false. As usual the media puts ratings and circulation before doing what's right for our country. Again we the people come up short, for we will watch the countless hours of celebrity coverage,  but would switch channels if this story recieved the same.

It seems we the people are the only hope, the politicians won't do anything unless we demand action and the media won't cover it unless we'll watch the coverage. We have reached a point where it is time to look in the eyes of our children and grandchildren, and decide if our present is more important than their future. It appears there are no easy solutions to our financial crisis; we must prepare for sacrifice and inconveience, this is what our parents and grandparents have left us. If we do nothing we will leave our future generations something far worse.