Earthquake a wake-up call

We had a 3.6 earthquake this morning. It was centered in Rockville, Md., about 20 miles from where I live in Northern Virginia. The quake occurred about three miles underground.

Of course, Californians are probably mocking us for even reporting on such a small quake. But keep a couple things in mind. First, this was the strongest quake within 30 miles of Washington D.C. in recorded-history. Because of the geographic qualities of the area, a 3.6 quake here is perceived to be much stronger than a similar quake in California.

With that said, I didn't feel the quake. It happened early, while I was in bed. I am a light sleeper, so it is surprising that I didn't hear or feel what other people reported.

They say there might be some after shocks for a week or so. In the grand scheme of things, it's not much to worry about. What is of far more concern is what is happening in the political halls of Washington, where Republicans and Democrats continue to play nasty games that are dividing our country. It is beginning to appear like Republicans in particular want the economy to languish just a bit longer so that they can win a few elections in November.

I hope it doesn't take a bigger earthquake to awaken people to what is happening in D.C. Gains in the economy were moving forward until Senate Republicans shut down the bridge to a fuller, self-sustaining economic recovery. I hope voters will remember that it was a Republican politician who apologized to British Petroleum and, with the exception of three senators, nearly shot down a financial reform bill that protects consumers. I pray that those impacted by the loss of unemployment benefits will remember that it was Republicans who voted down stimulus extensions that not only would have helped individuals, but would have aided businesses and the economy as a whole, with virtually no impact on the deficit despite GOP claims.

If Republicans are truly worried about the deficit, they should be leading the charge to not only get us out of Iraq and Afghanistan, but to reduce our troops around the globe. Even some higher-ups in the armed forces say that the military is way over funded. Reducing the military budget by getting us out of the global-policing business would do more to lower the deficit than almost any other viable option. Why do we still have Marines in Okinawa? World War II was a long time ago. Isn't it time that we ask other countries to do more to protect themselves?

America is going to have more challenges to face. Natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes will occur. Getting the economy back on its feet through smart, targeted stimulus and by cutting wasteful spending on the No. 1 biggest budget item, the military, is essential if we are going to be able to cope with future disasters.

I like to think of today's small earthquake as a message to those in Washington to speed up the recovery and to stop playing politics. Find solutions to reducing the deficit that don't involve screwing people who worked all of their lives until the recession landed on our shores. Stop with the Tea Party rhetoric. It's childish and naive to think we can return to the ways of revolutionary days. Stop thinking that a free market will solve all of our ills and that we don't need any government regulations. Human beings need boundaries, that is why we needed financial regulatory reform. Sorry if that sounds socialist but if it weren't true we could do away with police, and in fact, the entire military. It is ridiculous to think that corporations will always do the right thing. We have courts and a justice system because it is within the nature of man to sometimes take advantage of situations or other people. The track record of big businesses and banks speaks for itself.

Total freedom has never been a part of this country. We've gotten in the most trouble when oversight has been weakened, when the powerful have been able to run over the folks with the least money and affluence. Until human beings reach a higher level of enlightenment, I suspect we will always need rules and regulations to prevent things like careless oil spills and discrimination in the workplace. No one should be free to abuse an innocent person, the environment or anything else.

Yes, today's earthquake was centered close to where many politicians live in Montgomery County. I hope Republicans in particular felt the jolt and don't blame it on President Obama, the jobless (who GOP'ers like to refer to as loafers and drug addicts) or the financial reform bill. The quake could be the ultimate wake-up call for those who refuse to look at both sides of the issues -- those narrow-minded people who believe whatever agenda-driven media is spewing today.

Read more about today's earthquake.