Reply #42: Excuses, or autopsies? [View All]

[Dogmudgeon]

I figured there'd be a lot of people who would just say, "no excuses -- let's punish something!" My post was an explanation, not a call for retribution. If we don't know where the problem comes from, we'll just be striking out blindly. Think about it -- have any of the calls from the Left to "punish" a politician ever resulted in anything other than defeat, regress, and loss?

The fact is that we can't expect our legislators to develop "backbone" if we don't support them before crises hit. A lot of people, especially people who consider themselves "hip", are too affectedly cynical to bother to vote, let alone to voice their support for politicians who share their points of view. I think the dissenting votes, cast at great personal risk, show that there is much more backbone than we realize. It is our duty to make our wishes known. When we show our reps that we will back them up, they will find the courage in a big hurry.

How do you think the Bushistas got into power? Dozens of thugs stormed the Miami election office, roughing up at least two election workers and shutting downthe count. Hundreds of thugs from LoudCitizen, Inc., surrounded the US Naval Observatory and made noise night-and-day to intimidate Gore into submission. And who came to Gore's aid? "We" -- the left -- got it together too late, still sniffing that Gore had to "earn our vote" while Bush was busy stealing our Republic.

How many of us have ever even spoken with our state reps, let alone the legislators we send to Washington?

We also can't expect very much from a system that encourages the Executive branch to deceive legislators. Too many people think that amending the constitution needs to be saved for the important issues, like outlawing gay marriage and instituting Christian prayer in public schools.

Bush opponents have been without significant popular support, the law is against them, and the press decides what people have to say about it. I don't blame Kerry for wimping out, but, yes, I was quite happy to see Kucinich stand up for what we believe in. It will affect my vote, but only in its positives.

You're angry? Good! Pick up the phone and call one of your legislators, and tell him or her that you support (or don't support) certain resolutions, bills, and laws. Even if your rep is conservative. (You may also want to say that if Bush comes up for impeachment, that you'd vote to impeach and convict.)

I don't count political survival as cowardice. The rage for punishment is best saved for when Bush is on trial.

--bkl