Complaints about Washington abound. Most consider President Obama the problem. Others consider lack of cooperation or gridlock the problem. There is a problem, even if there is disagreement as to what it might be.  

For me, gridlock is not a problem. It is a blessing! I think there should be more of it, rather than less.  Pour more sand into the engine of government. Encapsulate all government buildings with impenetrable epoxy glue. Stop everything completely. Hooray!

President Obama is a problem, but he is not the problem. He is a symptom of a much larger problem. To further understand, one need only look at recent Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates. How comfortable were you having to choose between McCain and Obama?  Do the names Kerry, Bush, Gore, Clinton, Dole, Palin, Edwards, resonate with anyone as the best and brightest?  Remember, these were the survivors from primaries that had even more motley characters.

A process that produces such inferior choices ensured that one day we would get an "oddball." In many peoples' minds that has now occurred. We elected a gifted orator whose only experience was a sophisticated form of Chicago-style street hustling.  How is it possible that this man-child, with no experience, could attain the highest office in the land?

The problem is not Barack Obama. Nor is it the process that provides such flawed candidates. Both result from a democratic process driven by the people. Ultimately, the problem resides with the people.

An email from a friend contained the following explanation of the problem.  An anonymous responder apparently produced this commentary in response to some Reuters article.  I believe it describes the problem quite nicely:

"The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the presidency.

It will be easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president.

The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr.  Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails us.  Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince.

The republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool.  It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president."