Poor leadership

David Broder's syndicated column published in the Southeast Missourian on Dec. 5 said:"... Obama and the Republican congressional leaders have taken the first step on a path to political cooperation, one that can lead to multiple benefits. Washington could emerge from December with an agreed-upon plan for financing the government for the next two years, a workable budget for this year's government activity and an agreement by the Senate on the significant arms treaty Obama has negotiated with Russia. That is the best possible prelude to next year."

But the above is not nearly as bad as what David Espo of the Associated Press reported on the same day:

"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he hoped for an agreement by the middle or end of next week on legislation that would combine an extension of tax cuts with a renewal of expiring jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed."

The extension of tax cuts means less revenue. Renewal of jobless benefits means more deficit and public debt. This reader's analysis: What a puny bunch of journalists and politicians we have leading our nation to bankruptcy and ruin.

BILL D. BURLISON, Wardell, Mo.