Despite America’s tight economy, there is certainly no economy of words, or the nation’s penchant for talk.

Over the past year, as the country’s challenges have multiplied, the incessant chatter has increased, adding to an environment of indecisiveness. It seems that most matters of national importance are consistently being discussed, and few decisions made.

All this talking, conveniently described as debate, happens in state legislatures, the U.S. Congress, throughout the media and in a variety of forums. But unlike the outcome of most debates, conclusions seem to be rare, often creating rampant confusion.

People who are relatively new to the U.S. and the machinations of its government are alarmed at how indecisive the federal government is. In fact, it appears that the founding fathers ensured when they wrote the U.S. Constitution that the Congress and even the White House embroil themselves in unending debate before urgent decisions are reached on key issues.

The U.S. Congress is structured with a variety of committees that are required to meet, draft and debate legislative proposals before they are presented to either the House of Representatives or the Senate. Then both chambers must debate the proposals independently, then jointly, before a vote is cast.

While these respective debates are pursued, the president, presumably the most powerful man in the world, must tolerate this chatter, while he awaits legislation to be passed for his approval.

Those not convinced of the preponderance of talk and the sloth in decision making, should just take note of several important legislations currently tied up in debate, or pre-debate discussions, for the past nine months. Issues like healthcare and immigration reform, new financial regulations, new energy and economic policies, sending additional troops to Afghanistan; and the possibility of a second stimulus plan are still in debate.

Since these issues significantly impact the lives of most Americans, one naturally expects the nation’s leaders to act expeditiously in making decisions, instead of just talking everlastingly.

A key criterion of leadership, whether this be governmental, political, civic, business, religious, or any kind, is decisiveness, especially as it pertains to making relatively quick decisions under pressure.

Leaders have a peculiar responsibility to be decisive, especially when they are trusted with the welfare of the people.  Moreover, the circumstances surrounding critical issues like an increasingly unaffordable healthcare system and surging unemployment will only deteriorate when those that are trusted to lead become embroiled in an avalanche of words, unable to make definitive decisions.

There is no doubt that the media, particularly the electronic media, is contributing to this preoccupation with talk. Never in the history of this country have there been so many people talking on national television, and various local and national radio talk shows, who are “experts” on every issue that is labeled, “Breaking News.”

Producers at Cable TV networks like CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News, have an almost uncanny propensity for finding instant-experts on every item that is the current news-highlight, whether this relates to the swine flu epidemic, the request for more troops to Afghanistan, or the hoax about a boy floating away over Colorado in a balloon. These “experts” often contradict themselves and each other, fueling more talk among the usually captivated audience, and building mass confusion.

How would it be if there were no 24/7 cable news and talk shows, no Larry King, no Rush Limbaugh and no Chris Matthews (to name a few celebrated talking heads)? Would the individuals elected by the people to make decisions, act more decisively? It seems that in the old days, before the advent of cable TV and radio talk shows, leaders acted much more expeditiously. These networks and the deluge of experts and commentators were not around to influence the decisions of leaders like Franklyn D. Roosevelt in the 1930s and 1940s when an exceptional number of legislations were passed in a short time.

While there is no denying that these shows provide an important source of feedback and viewpoints on important national issues, it is obvious that many of the nation’s leaders are influenced by the prolonged chatter.

Though there needs to be debate to come up with viable solutions to the nation’s problems, the arguments now are too prolonged, while the decisions are elusive.

Americans, most of whom need affordable healthcare, more jobs, clean and inexpensive energy, affordable housing and confidence in their leaders, want to wake up one day soon and learn that decisions were reached on these and other issues. Goodness knows – we are tired of all this talking.

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