“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”   Albert Einstein

Our Nation faces serious challenges. 

Yesterday I explained why we cannot expect those we elect to change their thinking, and their subsequent behaviors, to find long-term solutions to our Nation’s problems.  After all, their greatest concern is the imperative need to win their next election.

I also quoted Charley Reese, “When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people [536 of whom we elect] exercise complete power over the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.” 

Things are as they are because of our elected representatives.  You might contend that the nine unelected Supreme Court Justices have a say, and you would be right.  However, they have that say only after laws are passed and the Constitutionality of a given law is challenged.  

Einstein also stated, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.”  That comment is also applicable to politics and is directly related to his quote about thinking and problem solving.  But, who does the quote apply to and how does its application affect finding solutions to our Nation’s problems? 

Every two years all 435 members of the House of Representatives and one third of the Senators must win their respective elections to remain in office.  Every four years we elect a President who is either an incumbent seeking re-election, or someone new seeking the office.

The “insanity” quote relates to voters.  We expect our representatives to do the hard work to find solutions to our Nation’s problems.  However, our voting behaviors help to maintain the political status quo.  Consequently, we overwhelmingly re-elect the same people who use the thinking, and subsequently display behaviors, discussed previously. 

Will the Nation’s problems be solved?  NO!

If we truly “expect different results” as voters, we cannot continue to use the same thinking we have used when we have voted in the past.   If we do so, we will continue to elect the very people that have created our Nation’s problems and who, as has been explained, are really incapable of finding solutions for those problems.

Since the Nation’s problems are ultimately our problems, the quote, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them,” also applies to us.