The Declaration of Independence, Politics and America’s Future

[Sandra]

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The Declaration of Independence, Politics and America’s Future

by Colonel Bob Pappas, USMC, Retired

 

From time to time I re-read the introductory portion of the Declaration of Independence, the portion that animated our nation’s progenitors. The words enshrined therein are as timeless as they are elegant and powerful. Unfortunately, many if not most Americans and virtually all so called, “protesters” have no concept of the nation’s forbearers’ struggle, the latter erroneously ascribing their less-than economic deprivation to Wall Street abuses; and both exist. Overstated assertions that the Bush Administration did nothing to regulate the financial industry are at odds with the facts.  Loosening of the rules was a Clinton era event, not a Bush event, and that was exacerbated by Barney Frank and Chris Dodd’s successful efforts to force banks to make irresponsible loans to people who were incapable of repayment, under the aegis of the Community Reinvestment Act.  That prompted obscene speculation (yes, “obscene speculation” is redundant) that went bust on a global scale and the U.S. Government handed the bailout bill to American Taxpayers.  The economic calamity of 2008 was in part, recently explained in “Enemies Within.”

 

The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence states:
“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 usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

 

The Constitution that followed was the effort of “we the people in order to form a more perfect union” but along the way “we the people” have been increasingly abused by careerist politicians whose underlying objective is to live a not-so-opaque good life at the expense of taxpayers. Nothing illustrates that better than the current occupant of the White House, Oval Office (that is, when he is not out campaigning, playing golf or vacationing all at taxpayer expense) who lavishes taxpayer largesse upon himself and associated political cohorts with parties and travel, and spending taxpayer money for his re-election effort.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there. Election to some office in Washington, D.C. somehow leads “electees” to the mistaken conclusion that it is okay to live large at taxpayer expense.  Exemplifying this is the fact that while average American workers’ incomes decreased since 2007 (the year Democrats took control of both Houses of Congress) Congressional and Congressional Staff salaries have gone up by approximately $9000.00, albeit frozen since 2009. It is notable that salaries are a small component of Congressional compensation. Additional information can be found at: http://www.senate.gov/CRSReports/crs-publish.cfm?pid='0E,*PL%5B%3D%23P%20%20%0A. 

 

“Living large” is an affliction that besets both sides of the political aisle. Once elected there is an almost universally reflexive notion that the elected position belongs to incumbent politicians. Such phrases as “My District,” “My Seat,” “Kennedy’s seat,” or, “First Lady of the X, Y or Z, Congressional District,” are indicative of a viral, unhealthy careerist malady that all but universally infects politicians, once ensconced. The trappings of power, adulation, self-importance all contribute to their loss of focus, and compromises their purpose and integrity. “Go along to get along” are words that too often guide politicians rather than principled stands on issues of national importance against the forces of narrowly focused interest groups. 

 

They may claim to have the public interest at heart but too few actually do. Their every move or word has an underlying political calculus focused re-election.  Is that just the nature of the beast? Should Americans feel helpless to events in Washington?  Politicians and too often the media project that erroneous impression that the answers are “yes,” although the answer is “no!”

 

One example of political and media influence is the current GOP “beauty contest” where Governor Christy of New Jersey endorsed Romney.  And, if one believes the media, the nomination is all but locked up by former Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney.  The media point to how Romney vs. Perry stacked up in their poking contest during a debate without regard to the substance of what was said by them. On the other hand, the media all but ignores exquisite solutions to issues presented by other candidates, such as Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain and Michelle Bachman.  Further, Romney is stuck at 25% support, which means that 75% are still looking; and your writer is one of the latter. But if one reacts to collective media judgment and is swept along by the band wagon effect, they might vote for Romney with no further thought; and that is precisely what the media wants and expects.

 

Similarly, political incumbents want constituents to believe that only they have the “keys to the kingdom” and too often use their offices for self-promotion rather than producing sound public policy; and it works.  Obama is a master at the latter by claiming that the purpose his travel is to advance at bill designed to revive the economy.  Accordingly, he schedules a meeting with targeted political or business leaders followed by the real purpose of a given trip, that is, delivering a campaign speech disguised as selling his bill to the American people; and then writes the entire trip off at taxpayer expense. If politicians had any integrity they would enact legislation that would proscribe such activity but they have too great a vested interest; that is, they do the same. One can check one’s own Representative or Senator and find similar abuse, but since theirs is similarly enshrined in law it is very difficult to clean up. But law can be changed, that is what politicians do for a living, sometime Americans appreciate the result, other times they loathe it.

 

What most people have come to loathe in the last, almost three years is the Obama Administration. Americans are now at a crossroads that will determine their children’s and grandchildren’s future.  Therefore, keeping in mind the Declaration of Independence, one is urged to listen, watch, read and think carefully, then vote wisely.

 

Semper Fidelis

 Bob Pappas

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Copyright © October 22th 2011 by Robert L. Pappas. With proper attribution, this essay may be quoted and redistributed. It may not be used in any way, in conjunction with any advertisement without the author’s expressed written permission

 

[gmiller]

As bad as Clinton and Obama were in their role to worsen the crisis, Bush has FAR from clean hands:

 

- Failure to police derivatives, which arguably were one of the biggest causes of the crisis

- Failure to police market scams such as front-running

- Faiulure to police commodity trading

- Embrace of the Community Reinvestment Act and allowance, even promotion, of mortgage abuses

- Failure to police fraudulent mortgage securities

- Failure to insist upon adequate bank reserves

- Support of TARP

 

Republicans are fond of blaming Frank and Dodd for many offenses, but did not regulate mortgage and other abuses cited when they were in charge, either.

 

Let's stop the Republican vs Democrat crap and focus on the bad stuff being done by BOTH parties and what we can do to change it.

 

The House of Representatives is where all fiscal bills must originate, yet Boehner and the predominantly RINO Republican House members made a deal which fully funds Obamacare, makes only token cuts and would actually INCREASE federal expenditures $7 TRILLION over ten years. As much as I dislike Ron Paul's foreign policies, his fiscal priorities are making him look better and better all the time. None of the other candidates have ANY significant spending CUT ideas in his league. Herman Cain's statist plan would actually open up a major  new TAX- national sales tax- and merely move the deck chairs around on our Titanic welfare state. He is the tax collector for the welfare state and LOVES the Federal Reserve.