Why can't the Democrats and Republicans get along?

Greene County, Indiana, and the United States face a future of major uncertainty.

To be honest, it's scary.

Will our economy ever recover to the point we can all be assured of a good job and decent retirement?

Will we always be at war in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan?

Will we ever be free of terrorists?

Will our city, town and county governments have enough money available to provide the basic needs of its people?

Tom Jones, Roy Terrell, John Wilkes, and Bart Beard and other Greene County leaders hope so. But it won't be easy.

In today's society it's much easier to be negative than positive. It takes much more effort to help find a solution than it does to complain.

That's probably why more people complain. They don't want to do what it takes to actually roll up their sleeves and help.

It's unfortunate, but a fact of life.

Probably the No. 1 issue facing our country is healthcare reform. President Obama believes strongly that every American should have affordable healthcare available.

How to accomplish that goal is tearing our country apart.

And that's sad.

Unfortunately, politics has reared its ugly head during this debate. It's not "Americans" trying to find a solution, it's Republicans vs. Democrats. Party lines are drawn, and no one is backing down.

That's what I hate about national issues. There are too many narrow-minded people out there. If a Democrat says something, some Democrats will take it for gospel without even checking out the "other" side. The same can be said about some Republicans.

It makes no sense! Why not take the best from both sides and meet in the middle?

I know, that's way too simplistic. But our politicians -- on both sides -- make things so difficult the average Joe and Jane in Greene County can't understand what they're talking about.

It's also sad that so many Americans don't trust their elected officials. This newspaper recently conducted a poll on the Web site www.gcdailyworld.com that proved the lack-of-trust point.

The question: Do you trust what politicians -- Republicans AND Democrats -- are telling you about healthcare reform?

The results (as of Friday morning): Yes: 4.3% No: 95.7%. (3,225 total votes)

The following is a sample of what people had to say about healthcare reform:

* "Both parties are partisan and are only looking for more power."

* "Healthcare reform is necessary, and a civil debate about the kind of reform we have is important. All of us should be very concerned about the lack of civility."

* "Most don't know answers to the bill because they themselves have not read it."

* "I think that there will be a lot of unknown consequences if President Obama's healthcare reform bill goes through, and most of the consequences will not be good!"

* "It seems most politicians don't give their constituents (who put them in office) credit for any intelligence at all. I am quite able of deciding my own healthcare options, both financially and morally."

* "At this point, I don't trust any politicians. Democrats or Republicans all seem the same to me. I think they are all crooks and we are paying them to deceive us. We are nothing to them but a paycheck and a number."

* "I believe the whole idea is only going to make healthcare worse. People need to really research these proposals before they decide."

* "The healthcare reform bill is still evolving and nobody, including the politicians, know what will eventually come to a vote. If government becomes involved in the healthcare process it will be a 'slippery slope' that will eventually result in socialized medicine in coming years. There are some things wrong with the healthcare system in the United States, but government involvement will very likely make things worse instead of better."

* "Never trust a politician, they only listen to groups who have the most money not to what the people need or want. There needs to be something done about healthcare but what they propose is not the answer. The only way to help the healthcare system is to get doctors and hospitals to stop charging outrageous prices. My mother had a procedure done and the doctor charged $30,000 for 30 minutes of work ($1,000 per min.) No doctor is worth that much."

* "They should let Americans vote on it."

* "Trust me said the rattlesnake to the mouse!"

Get the idea?

How can we accomplish something as a nation if its people don't trust the ones who make the laws?

Chris is the general manager/editor of the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or be e-mail at cpruett79@hotmail.com .