However the gap was widening among the public

What political paralysis suffer from the United States "wonder many experts in the world. Whether it is the reform of the health, finance or climate, it is not easy to understand the difficulties encountered by President Barack Obama to push through its program. After all, the Democratic Party holds a majority of seats in the Congress. However, the gap was widening among the public.

In early November, Democrats were 84 to approve the policy of Obama, compared to a small 18 among Republicans. 58 of Democrats (and 9 of Republicans) thought that the country was on track. Only 18 of Democrats approved sending 40,000 additional Afghanistan soldiers, while 57 of Republicans said they were in favour.

This variance is explained in part by the fact that America is a highly polarized society. The political differences has grown between rich and poor, between communities, between religions, not to mention other sources of social fracture.

Moreover, the political process, itself, is broken. The Senate now practice the obstruction to prevent any Bill to the vote. To be adopted, any proposal must get 60 votes out of 100, and not a simple majority. What proved to be impossible on also controversial issues as the reduction of carbon emissions.

Another just as deep crisis comes from the influence of big business in policy. The pressure behind the scenes of the most powerful of them dominates now any negotiation, the public is excluded. The largest players, as well on Wall Street in automotive, health, armaments and real estate have inflicted serious damage to the US and world economy. Many experts see lobbying as a sort of legalized corruption, for large sums of money, very often in the form of financing of political parties for legislative or regulatory benefits.

Finally, the paralysis that was referred to the federal budget of the United States could play the largest role in the emerging crisis of governance. The Americans categorically refuse to pay more taxes, when well even the current taxation level (about 18 of national income) is not sufficient to meet the basic functions of the Government. Therefore, the US Government is unable to provide basic public services.

Strong opposition to the tax increase and the list, each long day, unmet urgent needs are responsible for the poor performance of the US Government and the critical level of the budget deficit and public debt. This year, the budget deficit continues at a record rate in times of peace of 10 of the GDP approximately.

So far, Obama appeared unable to sort out the tax puzzle. To win the 2008 election, he promised that he would not raise taxes on households whose income is less than 250. 000 dollars per year. The attitude of public opinion forced Obama to this promise of non-tax"is responsible for the absence of reasonable policies.

On the one hand, there is little room to further reduce public spending and, on the other, many sectors are public investment. An increase in taxes on the rich, even justified, would not solve the budget crisis. In fact, the United States need a value added tax, as in most European countries. However, Obama is itself firmly opposed to this type of taxes during his election campaign. Paralysis factors threaten to multiply in the coming years and the budget deficit will continue to impede the necessary investments in many areas.

In fact a radical change of direction required to unblock the situation. The US must leave the Iraq and the Afghanistan, which will allow them to save 150 billion dollars a year. This money can be used elsewhere, to reduce the tensions generated by the military occupation. The United States will also have to increase taxes to finance for new initia-s spending, especially in the field of renewable energies, climate change, education and assistance to the poor.

To avoid further polarization and US policy paralysis, Obama must do more to ensure that the Americans better understand the urgency of the situation and the changes he has promised. Only these changes-including the reform concerning pressure groups - will help restore effective governance.