Why are our elected officials acting like kids? Well, the answer to that question is easy. They want to do 
whatever will preserve their power and influence. They just don't give a damn about the people who elected them. They do care about their big corporate sponsors. Hence, we have this soap opera played out on the world stage. Taxes. No Taxes. Cut Spending. Don't cut spending. All of this is just another sign of the decline of a once great country. I rarely agree fully with the New York Times editorialist David Brooks, but his most recent op/ed piece should be read by all Americans. For the senators and congressman an educated person should be assigned to slowly read this article to them.