Mercy Not Sacrifice
Well-Known Member
Just so you know - not all those pictures were from Tea Party events. In fact, you may take note that the first photo is of an anti-Iraq war rally, and front and center is an anti-Bush sign.
My point is that we the people should not forget that we have the right to dissent - and that sometimes dissent is the highest form of patriotism.
Washington (and just about every federal building nationwide) is full of corrupt fatcats milking the system, living off OUR backs, and enjoying a never ending stream of favors from their various special interest groups.
They either have basically forgotten that the American public truly exists (coccooned as they are in their mansions and offices and surrounded by pandering wannabees), or they think we are so stupid that we will not see through their corruption - and take action.
On the second possibility - they may be right.
As much as I have strong distaste for the Tea Party's positions, I firmly believe in their right to advocate their beliefs. Such is free speech. What I object to, however, is some of the methods by which they are choosing to advance their position. Shouting down people in health care town halls is NOT peaceable assembly. Bringing guns to political rallies is NOT peaceable assembly. And demonizing those who are genuinely advocating for a better America, attempting to find optimal solutions to this nation's problems, and interested in the general welfare of this nation, is absurd and highly distasteful. Yet it seems that it's about all the Tea Party can do. That, and lie at just about every turn.
I say, run 'em out on a rail - the whole lot of them. The exceptions to their overall corruption are so few and far between as to be a negligible group (and pretty much powerless).
Voting out the incumbents is a highly overrated political tactic.
Let's assume for a moment that, in the eyes of the "throw the bums out" crowd, a best-case scenario occurs: All 435 representatives are replaced, as are 33(?) senators (remember, only about a third of the Senate is up for election on any given cycle). How exactly does this guarantee that the new batch will magically improve our government overnight? How does this guarantee that they won't fall prey to the very same lobbyists, special interest groups, and political kickbacks that have arguably taken over Congress?
One thing I have learned in the last three years is to become very realistic, and not overly optimistic, about what goes on in Washington. Democratic politics is a game. It always has been. The games, the partisanship, and the results that we see are absolutely nothing new. Go rent Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and you'll see what I mean.
What I hope for in the near future is not a government that completely cleans itself up, never violates another human's rights, gets rid of all the backroom deals, and stops playing games. That's a pipe dream that many voters on both sides of the aisle, myself included for many years, have. All I want is a government that works, and works reasonably well. I want a government that isn't afraid to take a hard look at the most pressing issues in our society, and not placate to the loud minority of Tea-baggers or special interest groups, but meet the needs of as many as is reasonably possible for the least expenditure that still gets the job done. Utilitarianism, if you will.