Debt and responsibility

John Pepall, author of Against Reform, points to the U.S. debt crisis as another reason we should appreciate our parliamentary system.

Under parliamentary government, a prime minister must take responsibility for a budget. If it is passed he will have to answer to the voters for it. If the country prospers the voters will cheer him on to re-election. If not, he will have to shoulder the blame and electoral defeat. If it is not passed there will have to be an election and the voters can decide whether they like the budget or would prefer something else. 

One way or another parliamentary government forces politicians to take responsibility and holds them accountable …  In the U. S. power is dispersed and responsibility is avoided.