Checks and Imbalances

Here is another story, by the FInancial Times, where it appears politics is getting in the way of our government trying to police itself. I’m probably more sensitive to this because of my dismay over the K-Street Project, the US Attorney’s firings, Alberto Gonzales and the general lack of accountability in Congress and our government in general.

In this case it is “chief internal watchdog” of the state department that seems to be getting in the way.

I want to avoid adding too much commentary in this blog but I think this is another reason why Americans need to demand more clarity and accountability in our government. Our system of checks and balances seems to be crumbling, slowly before us.

FT: US suffers decline in prestige

There are those among my circles who have been lamenting the decline of America’s “moral authority and power” but until now I have only had anecdotal evidence to validate this claim. This morning the Financial Times published an article titled “US suffers decline in prestige”. The article is reporting on the 2007 Strategic Survey by the non-partisan International Institute for Strategic Studies.

The article leads off “The US has suffered a significant loss of power and prestige around the world....” It’s a short article and one I think we should all read as we prepare for the 2008 election.

The survey is available only to members or for those who purchase individual copies but the reader can download an executive summary.