The current dysfunction of government (fiscal cliff, debt ceiling), and more specifically a two-party system that values getting votes more than it does legislating soundly, is both horrifying and liberating at the same time. Horrifying because it shows that the people we entrust with 50% of our wallets (if you are a top bracket earner in NY or California, you likely pay 50+% in aggregate taxes) are incredibly inept, and cannot manage to identify either the causes, or the solutions to problems. Endless kick the can, at the expense of the taxpayers. Liberating, because it should be clear to Americans what needs to be done next. 

With such a tremendous breakdown of government on public display, Americans should realize that these people we’ve elected are untrustworthy as it relates to solving problems, and thus, Americans must solve their own problems. If we can’t rely on our government to act responsibly, then we must rely on ourselves, and create our own destiny. To the extent possible, take matters into our own hands, under the assumption that government is not going to do anything more than squander our money and govern ineffectually. 

Ultimately, the up-tick in self-reliance will serve as a natural check on the size, scope and intrusiveness of government. With more Americans relying on their own personal skills and productive capacities, the need for the dysfunctional behemoth of government diminishes, which will allow the damage our political leaders inflict (through inaction, and can-kicking) to be minimized. 

Here’s to a 2013 with Americans deciding their own fate. Happy New year!