by Roberta Murphy

I received an irate call from my father, Bob Michelson, this morning.

He, a calm and decorated veteran and pilot of three wars, was fit to be tied. In addition to following the stock market closely, he tracks world events with the eyes of a falcon.

“GM’s stock price is at an all-time low and Citibank is sitting at a 10-year low,” growled the Colonel. “Meanwhile the world scowls at us as we slurp up 25 percent of its oil supply and contribute to worldwide spikes in fuel prices–and yet refuse to drill for oil in our own backyard.”

And why can’t Congress get mobilizing legislation into gear? Because the legislation isn’t quite…perfect.

And so our elected leaders dismiss themselves for a patriotic holiday–as their fellow Americans and constituents drain their assets at the gas pumps this summer.

I join this veteran in his complaint–and wish we had reason to celebrate decisive action from our elected leaders this 4th of July.