“Time to Drain the Swamp”

By William L. Garvin
“The more you read about politics, the more you got to admit that each party is worse than the other.” Will Rogers

When the Democrats took control of the House and the Senate three years ago, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi loudly proclaimed an end to the “culture of corruption.” Furthermore, she vowed to run “the most ethical administration in history.” She should have kept in mind that “When you’re up to your rear end in alligators, it’s hard to remember that you came in to drain the swamp.”
The swamp water must be particularly toxic in New York. First, we have the Governor attempting to intimidate a witness in a judicial proceeding then we have a total whack job emerge in Representative Massa. Naturally, his ethics investigation has been dropped with his resignation. However, it was just a short while back that Speaker Pelosi was demanding to know who knew what and when did they know it when a Republican sent an inappropriate text message to a page. No groping, no sexual contact, no Massa massages. My how she sings such a different tune when it’s a member of her own party.
Then there’s that rascally old Charlie Rangel. Here’s the chair of the Ways and Means Committee that determines the tax codes breaking rule after rule after rule. While the Tim Geithner defense might work for a simple mathematical miscalculation (just darn that Turbotax!), there’s no way it will work for failing to declare income. He should have just hid his cash in the freezer like William Jefferson. But rather than demanding that Representative Rangel resign, the Speaker arranged a “leave of absence” from his committee chair. Now that’s really cracking the ethical whip.
We can assume that she’s taking her cues from the top. After all, when a Utah representative votes no on the health care bill, his brother gets nominated by the President for a judgeship. No matter what his qualifications, the appearance of impropriety is overwhelming. But then, there’s nothing about this health care takeover that’s been open and above board. Despite the incessant rhetoric of “transparency,” “openness,” and “televised debates”, it’s the same old Democrat modus operandi, back rooms, closed doors, unilateral decision making, and an all out naked power grab. Now they’ve bundled a federal takeover of the student loan program into the health care legislation!
One thing you can say about the Democrats, they did learn at least one lesson. Now there are no leaks. The press wasn’t even allowed to interview attendees at the President’s staged health care speech at Arcadia University. Who knows what deals are being struck? No news about Louisiana Purchases, Cornhusker Kickbacks, union paybacks, Florida special exemptions, or Connecticut hospitals this time around. Who even knows what’s in the bill? Speaker Pelosi actually said “We have to pass the bill to know what’s in it without the fog of distraction.” No wonder Jack Cafferty on CNN called you a “horrible person.” When Democrats lose CNN, they are in trouble.
Given this administration’s consistent track record, we can expect more of the same. We can expect another midnight vote, probably on the weekend, with no debate. One would think that if legislators were proud of their vote, they would do so in the full light of day. The President has said the “American people are entitled to an up or down vote.” What he means is he is entitled to an up or down congressional vote. The American people have made their choice clear. There is only 35% of the electorate that support this particular health care bill. Fewer than that actually believe their medical costs will go down.
The President and the Speaker are deathly afraid to let their members go home over the recess and get another earful from their constituents. That’s why they are doing everything possible to cram this down our throats this week. That’s why they are willing to sacrifice Bart Stupak and the other opponents to federally funded abortion in their own party. Actually, they are willing to sacrifice anyone and everyone in November.
But there are those in our country who still believe in the Constitution as written and intended by our founding fathers. They are unwilling to substitute some nebulous “living constitution” that is subject to the whims and ephemeral priorities of a fickle legislature. Virginia believes that the federal government should not and does not have the authority to force private citizens into private contracts for health insurance. Accordingly, the Virginia General Assembly has given final approval to a bill making it ILLEGAL for the government to require individuals to purchase health insurance. According to the Washington Post, thirty-four other states are considering similar legislation. As Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” We are willing to let ourselves be governed but we will never be ruled!