Can Anybody Save Us? Emaw Isn't Sure.

Emaw*, who comes around here to keep me honest in my pro-Dem hackery, doesn't sound so optimistic about the results of the election:

"Of course, the problem with campaigning FOR something these days is that in order to really solve our most pressing national problems, you have to be an advocate of doing stuff that nobody wants to do. Nobody wants drastic, Grecian Formula spending cuts, but that's what we need. Nobody wants major tax and fee increases (certainly not me), but that's what it will take to balance our budget even if we cut spending.

So you get what we have now (which interestingly is frighteningly similar to what the Romans had near the end of their republic). Politicians make promises that, while popular, have little hope of coming to fruition without bankrupting the country. Political expedience makes meaningful reform impossible."

We get after each other, but I think Emaw and I basically agree that there's something unsustainable about the governance of our country. Question is: If Democrats can't do the right thing and Republicans won't -- I'm not sure Emaw would agree with the framing -- what can we do? Where's Ross Perot when you really need him?

*For you non-Kansans, "Emaw" is short for "Every Man A Wildcat." It's a K-State thing.