What are you going to do about it?
[Begin Rant]The Republicans claim they have the votes to end filibusters of judicial nominations. Interesting. I have been reading through some other blogs and have been watching the back-and-forth of the Republican and Democrat supporters on this issue. I’ll be up front and say that I lean to the conservative in matters of politics and often times side with the Republicans. This issue has me torn though.
I understand that Bush and the GOP are frustrated with the Democrats at not being able to get a vote on some of their nominations. I also understand that it hasn’t been until fairly recently that a filibuster has ever been used to the end of halting a nomination from coming to a vote. There were indeed some Clinton nominations that were blocked but not at the same level of influence as we are talking about here. My real fear in all of this is that, one way or another, the politicians on both sides of the aisle are tinkering with a system that has withstood the scrutiny of the world since its creation more than 200 years ago. Is this a good thing? I’m not so sure.
As I see it, this all boils down to self-preservation of the two largest political parties. In this case, the Democrats are doing whatever they can to hang on to whatever power they have left by refusing to allow a vote that would surely pass, as they see it, in the favor of the Republicans and the Republican agenda. And then there are the Republicans, doing what they can and flexing their muscle of current power in an effort to increase their ability to hold on to that power. What happened to the “good of the people” and “justice for all” and all of that good talk? I wonder if I am the only one feeling like a spectator at an arena instead of a citizen partially responsible for what is going on?
All in all, I blame the citizens of the United States for this. Yep, I know, you aren’t the ones in Washington doing the power grab. And for those that personally investigated the issues and voted by way of your conscience and intelligence, I exclude you from these statements. However, those that are able to vote and don’t, or follow the pack, or vote for a party because their family has always voted that way, or think that politics is some sort of game that requires “fans” on each side, you are the ones to blame.
Imagine what the political landscape might be like if the vast majority of people eligible to vote actually took their civic duty seriously, if they investigated the issues and voted consistently in every election. Recent changes such as term limits likely wouldn’t be necessary because everyone would be in tune to what is going on. If the elected official didn’t do his job, the people would know it and would throw the bum out! Imagine what kind of diversity would be installed if every legitimate voter was involved. Imagine what budgets would look like if everyone was able to scrutinize them and hold their elected officials responsible.
As it is, we as a country are becoming lazy. Regardless of political affiliation, people complain about everything and do little or nothing to effect change in the very things they complain about. I hear rumblings on both sides about another Civil War some day. Hah! The only way you would rally enough American people into a conflict of that magnitude would be if you took away their TV programming and forced their butts off the couch!
So should the anti-filibuster vote be any surprise to anyone? Not really. The only thing that would surprise me at the moment would be if every registered voter out there actually got involved and voided the need for such a move. Hold them accountable in Washington. Do your part in caring for the country that has given so much to its people and the rest of the world. Stop complaining and start doing something about it. It’s our country, why should we give it over so easily to the politicians? There was once a time we fought to create this country – are we willing to fight to keep it? Time will tell.
[Rant concluded]
posted by Bonzai @ 9:00 AM
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