Congressional Disdain for "We the People" Once Again

While it's axiomatic that we "can't drill our way" or "conserve our way" out of the energy crisis in which we find ourselves, our representatives' simply abandoning their posts on August 1st without properly debating, fashioning and voting on a reasonable solution to this energy crisis before going on their ill-deserved 5-week vacation convinces me--as never before--that "we the people" must ensure that those who perpetrated and supported this unconscionable recess are taken to task.

Abandoning their legislative posts during what could be arguably characterized as a national economic and security crisis was grossly irresponsible, and the culpable should deservedly pay a heavy political price for their callous and reprehensible behavior.

As Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) declared, "This is the people's house; this is not Pelosi's Polituro."

For me, that pretty much sums up my view of the shameful events on August 1st. And this is but a taste of the tyranny which will ensue should the liberals achieve a stranglehold on the "people's house" in November.

While I strongly favor censuring the Democratic leadership in congress for their having abandoned their posts in the midst of this crisis merely for parochial political advantage, I know that won't happen. So, what can "we the people" on the local level do which may have any material impact?

For starters, we can all overload "Rep." Louise Slaughter's local office with phone calls and emails to protest her callous and self-serving dereliction of duty (232-4850; www.louise.house.gov). Protests in front of her office would also be a persuasive way to let her know who's in charge. Let her vacation be a memorable one.

(Oh, yes. In case you are unaware, "Rep." Slaughter is stealthily helping to lead the effort to re-impose the so-called Fairness Doctrine, a cold, calculating, cynical attempt by liberals to effectively silence conservative talk radio once the Democrats have achieved firm control of congress in November.)

Like so many of my friends and neighbors, I am utterly fed up with and increasingly frightened by the likes of Louise Slaughter, a career politician, and her self-serving party-first loyalist hacks on Capitol Hill.

Once an awesome and sacred symbol of American pride and democratic traditions, the illustrious Capitol Dome is being rapidly transformed into a symbol of tyranny from where "we the people" are disdainfully and imperiously ruled by an aristocracy of elites who have forgotten--indeed ignored--those whom they have pledged to responsibly represent.

If we really want to restore power to the people, our community's ridding itself of political hacks and party-first types like Louise Slaughter should be high on our agenda this year. The specter of a dominant and blatantly unresponsive Democratic elite in D.C. is too unbearable to contemplate. But this may the case if we choose to sit on the sidelines waiting for someone else to act.

I would like to see the local Republican and Conservative committees step up to the plate and help lead this local protest effort. I would be among the first to volunteer to help where and when I can. And I'm sure many of you would also pitch in with enthusiasm.

Yes, I am genuinely exercised and deeply concerned about the longer term meaning of the insidious events which unfolded on August 1st. I am sure that most of you are as well.

("When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, then there is liberty." Thomas Jefferson)