Our Country is in turmoil concerning its elected and appointed Officials. Our confidence in their willingness and ability to properly delineate the majority's will has been undermined. We listened to our President as he recently addressed the audience at a Democratic Party Fundraiser when he referred to the Republicans and stated that they "do what they are told". But it is obvious that the GOP voters, according to the following statistics, do not agree with the President's comments. In a current Rasmussen Poll, it is revealed that 73% of the people polled believe the present Republican Representatives in Congress have lost touch with their GOP voters through out the nation. It also notes an additional 12% to be undecided. A mere 15% of Republicans who state they expect to vote in the 2012 State primaries believe their Congressional Representatives have produced satisfactory results in representing Republican values. We witnessed, viewed and engaged in Town Hall meetings where the Citizens held their Representatives accountable for contempt and misrepresentation of the majority's desires and demands.
Democratic Senator Bob Casey spoke with reporters and acknowledged that his committee in the Senate established and agreed to a public option plan which commenced with the word "Voluntary". He referred to his committees plan in order to defend himself from those constituents who are against the public option during his Town Hall meetings. However, he then announced that his party has refused to adopted this particular wording and placing of the word "Voluntary", to their agenda on the Legislative Bill. So in reality, the Democrats who used this committees draft of the bill to shield themselves from the onslaught of angry constituents, who insisted the health care reform bill will be a Government take over, were absolutely disingenuous at best. He also went on to admit that he believes his committees submission of the bill is the fairest of all involved and should be implemented. But he did express his partisanship by stating he will vote yes to whatever his party assembles and endorses, regardless of his personal views and may I dare say even, against the will of the majority of his constituents. Examples such as this, in which partisan attitudes, concerns for their own advancement and contempt for the people they represent, instead of remaining steadfast to what is correct and fair for the people, have brought the American Citizen to a point of disgust. The public was also promised to have the ability to view all bills via the Internet and other venues for a period of time so as to be informed of what is being presented and possibly passed into Law. But of course, Campaign promises made so very often never materialize for one reason or anther. Even when a group of Congressmen submitted an amendment for all pending bills to be available for a 72 hour period, it was quickly rejected. In my opinion, the pending legislation in its Legislative form, and prior to this in its consensual form, should be easily accessible to the American public for a minimum of at least one full week.
According to a Wallstreet Journal/NBC News Poll conducted this month, 52% of people polled believe this country is headed in the wrong direction, with 36% stating they believe just the opposite. This leaves 9% with mixed beliefs and 3% who can not make up their minds at all. Additionally, 65% polled admitted they were disappointed and disapprove of how their Representatives are doing their jobs in comparison to 24% who approve, leaving 11% undecided. The poll went on to identify Americans who will view the Democrats in a positive light by a 42%-36% margin which including 20% to consider themselves neutral. This compared to the Republicans who were viewed negatively by a 46%-25% margin with 27% being neutral. The survey also stated that only 14% of the people polled viewed the Democrats in a "very positive light", and only 6% of Republicans being viewed as the same. Continuing with the poll, they found that 57% agree that the partisan atmosphere in Washington was equally to blame on both parties, while 24% believe it is the Republicans fault as compared to 17% the Democrats. The poll also noted the American people are fed-up with the career Politicians and Status Quo by stating that 49% want to change the representation in their districts as compared to 41% stating that they believe their present Representative should be reelected. The American people net-worked together in the Tea Party meetings/rallies and protested across this great and beautiful country, displaying our disgust, frustrations, concerns and demands of our elected officials; demanding that they change course and action, to get the attention of the Bureaucrats in D.C. to listen to the majority of Americans, not the minority.
As in the days of yester-year, our founding fathers were the first to be angered to action due to the display of contempt and arrogance of the ruling government. The people rose up against the oppression, bondage and corruption[sound some what familiar?], of the existing Leadership. They put their lives, families, futures and fortunes on the line for what they were convicted and convinced to be the only virtuous course of action. Seeking Divine wisdom for the appropriate course of action, they engaged word to action, knowing it is only through the people in which change will come. To maintain a positive change and the well being of the people, they intended to elect Statesman, officials who purposed and displayed in their everyday lives, a distinct representation of "Public Virtue". This is clearly evident by virtue of their content and wording in these most marvelous documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights[ which are the first ten amendments to the Constitution]. Does anyone else ever ponder, or is it just me, why our contemporary Representatives do not, and probably can not, write Legislation such as those listed. As we read these original documents, we do not receive the feeling of bondage or being under submission, but instead the opposite. We are over taken with feelings of Liberty and Freedom, a desire to sacrifice and serve, not selfishness, greed and covetousness. We must understand the importance and duty we have obtained as American citizens, in the responsibility to us parents, to educate our children on the content and meaning of these original Documents, always remembering, and reminding each other, that these Documents were purposely established to limit our Governments powers over the people, not its people. We are always only one generation away from losing our Freedom.
Below I have inserted a section of our Declaration of Independence which I felt relevant to the content in this article I have written:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpation's, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism[oppressor], it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
It is up to us, yes you, the American Citizen to rise up off your "Duff" and get out of that proverbial Lazy Boy, put down the remote and pick up a pen and put pen to paper. Write your Representative, Senator and yes, even our President. Call them on the phone, visit their offices, voice your opinions, demands, thoughts and concerns. Take back your right which has not come free, but instead has been purchased through the sacrifice of people over the centuries, whose names we will never even know. Countless men and women, who unselfishly gave up so much more than just their precious time and energy. Some gave all, and many gave much. How dare we take the attitude of submission and passivity! Remember the phrase " you reap what you sow?", well if we insist on living sedentary lives compared to our involvement in the political process or our Government, we deserve to reap the consequences. In the 2008 Congressional elections in my district approximately 5/8 of the population did not vote! Why do we take this important part of our freedom so lightly? It is our right, no our duty, to elect Virtuous Leaders. Our founding Father Benjamin Franklin stated "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom...As nations become corrupt and vicious...they have more need of masters", and Samuel Adams wrote: "Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt...He, therefore..is the truest friend to the liberty of his country..who tries most to promote its virtue..and who..so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust, who is not wise and virtuous". So the ball is always in the publics court as to how the game will be played and ultimately the outcome. As the November elections draw nearer, we must make a conscious decision to register to vote, research the available Candidates, and may I add[I guess I can because I am writing this article], that if there isn't an appropriate Candidate to represent what you have a conviction for, and you have a burning desire inside to serve and change the Status Quo, it is our right and duty to campaign for office in order to bring positive change for the well being of the people. Then purposely go to the election booths and make our voice known. So when the question is asked of us, or the thought comes into our minds "to be....or not to be Represented", that is the question to which we should all have a resounding voice stating, "Yes, to be!"
