Revolution

Unpublished

Every revolution begins with the power of an idea, and ends when clinging to power is the only thing left. The epitaph for the republican revolution that started when Newt Gingrich and his compatriots rose from the back bench of the House in 1994 may well have been written when Dennis Hastert, the longest-serving Republican House Speaker in history, explained why he would not resign despite a scandal that has produced a flurry of questions about his leadership. "If I fold up my tent and leave," he said, "then where does that leave us? If the Democrats sweep, then we'd have no ability to fight back and get our message out." That quiet admission may have been the most damning, when holding on to power has become not just the means but also the end goal for the onetime reformers. If you think politicians clinging to power isn't big news, then you may have forgotten the excitement the “Contract with America” revolutionaries brought to American voters. They swept into Washington on the promise that they would change Capitol Hill. And for a time they did. Vowing to finish what Ronald Reagan had started, they stood on the three principles that defined conservatism: fiscal responsibility, national security and moral values. Twelve years later I’m still waiting to see those original promises fulfilled.

Republican leaders have conceded that their revolution hasn't lived up to everything they promised. Among the first promises the G.O.P. majority broke was the setting of term limits. To win votes back home, lawmakers have been spending taxpayer money like drunken sailors, producing the biggest budget deficits in U.S. history. And the party's approach to national security has taken us into a war that many Americans believe was a serious mistake. One of the problems is that after the Republicans got into power, the system began to change them, not the other way around. Would the Democrats behave any differently if they retake Congress in November? Some would I’m sure. But others would be out for political revenge, and history has shown them to be just as capable of the type of ideological drift that is tearing up the G.O.P. Even if the Democrats do win a majority in Congress, don’t look for any important changes, despite all the campaign claims.

Far to many politicians (even one is to many) see their office as nothing more than a post wherein they can enjoy the perks, fame, and occasional “gifts” or bribes, as is indicated by the number of political scandals over the last few years. Granted that there are ethical politicians who do believe in the ideals of public service, but of late they appear to be few and far between. Might I suggest that it’s time for a new political revolution, and brought on by the voters rather than the politicians? With a strong beginning at the grass roots level, a serious effort to force term limits would, if successful, certainly put an end to the problem of politicians whose sole goal is “remaining in power”, and would also be one solution to the “Peter Principle” problem of entrenched incompetence! (The idea of term limits isn’t dead, although we’ve heard little on the subject of late.)

We must also remember that term limits treats only one symptom of the mirade of things we allow to ail our political process. Can the system be cured? Is there a cure? That question can be answered with a resounding YES, if we’re willing to make a few changes. However, knowing that only a very few Americans can intelligently discuss our current political condition, makes one realize that our political nightmare is due to the ignorance of the public – and a very willful ignorance it is.

I, like most people, find that free time is short. Yet I still have time to read, research, and to write each and every day. How do I find time? Well, I go to bed early, get up early, and avoid TV. I find writing and research to be far more enlightening than watching prime-slime television. But I am also becoming more concerned for the American people, and for our nation, as each day passes. I realize that “we the people” are no longer the rugged, intelligent, or loyal Americans of years past. These traits have been deadened by decades of public school left wing indoctrination and Hollywood propaganda demanding a “kinder, gentler” country. They’ve also been eroded by social pressures demanding extremes of individual wealth and luxury, never mind the cost. But when the demise of freedom stares us in the face, and we still claim ignorance of the facts, while blind loyalty to elitists continues to thrive, I ask myself why should I bother being concerned?

At this late date in our history, I can only urge every voter to make an intelligent selection from among the candidates offered. Remember that party affiliation means little today, unlike only a few years ago. Don’t worry about how appealing the candidate looks on TV, or how expansive his rhetoric, that only indicates how photogenic he is, or how well he can speak in public. And don’t get concerned about current campaign promises, for the most part that’s little more than political hot air only intended to gain attention anyhow. Look at the reality of the candidates past history, what he stands for, what he’s promised, and what he’s delivered. Make an intelligent decision, then go vote. Contrary to what some would have you believe, your vote does count, as we’ve all seen in the last few elections. And when you vote… vote for America …

I’ve often wisecracked that I’m going to invent a spaceship someday, sign on a few folks that still have the old independent pioneer spirit rather than modern “gimmie” elitism, go find my own planet, and try the great American experiment again. Humm… Three hundred million people in this country… and most of them are only concerned with “getting theirs” from our developing nanny state… maybe that spaceship wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.