Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/285258
Panetta also said, "In a democracy, we govern by leadership or crisis. … Today, unfortu- nately, we govern by crisis. … There's a price to be paid for that. You lose trust" of the peo- ple in government. After more than 35 years in the nation's capital, he has "never seen a Washington" as politically divided as it is now. "The center is not there" and opposition is coming from the extremes of both the Democratic and Republican par- ties. Panetta noted that when he was serving in the House of Representatives from 1977 to 1993, there were political differences, but the leaders were friends who "played golf together." He added, "When it came to big issues, they were willing to work together." Panetta believes both the President and mem- bers of Congress have given up on dealing with the issues, including trade agreements, the infrastructure (which he described as "falling apart") and immigration. He stated, "They haven't got the courage to do what they need to do." The fiscal debt crisis must be dealt with or it will overwhelm us, said Panetta, who is a former director of the Office of Management and Budget. He recommends "pay as you go" to "provide certainty and stability." He suggested the gridlock in Washington could end if the public demanded change. Leon Panetta addresses a group in 2013 while he was still Secretary of Defense. Photo via Flickr and Wikimedia Commons Sarasota News Leader March 28, 2014 Page 71