A perfect example of how Congress has lost sight of its prime directive – defending our basic rights and freedoms – can be seen in the media-lauded actions of Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter. After 29 years, Senator Specter is changing parties and turning Democrat.
Why? In a nutshell it is because he can no longer win election in the upcoming primary as a Republican. Over the years, his self-perceived “independent” nature has slid more and more towards the Democratic left and his signing the TARP legislation was the icing on the cake for many of his conservative supporters. So like any self-respecting rat on a sinking ship, he jumped.
Which tells me that Senator Specter does not belong in Washington at all. He is selfish and self-serving; more interested in being a Senator than doing the work required of a Senator. He has no principles. He has no loyalty. I honestly hope he fails to get on the ballot in 2010, and I hope that anyone now in Congress who are supporting him also loses in 2010 or 2012. We, the people, do not need, nor did we ask for this kind of misrepresentation.
“I changed my mind about that.” (Senator Specter, now, about telling Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell several months ago that he wouldn’t need his help when the Democratic governor offered to help him raise money if he switched parties)
Democrats are thrilled because this now puts them within dizzying, drooling, tantalizing closeness of having complete control over the House, the Senate, and the Oval Office:
“You have my full support.” Democrats are “thrilled to have you.” (President Obama)
“If the president is asked to raise money for Sen. Specter, we’re happy to do it. If the president is asked to campaign for Senator Specter, we’ll be happy to do it. As the president told Senator Specter on the phone, he has our full support. I think the president is quite pleased. Understatement of the day.” (White House press secretary Robert Gibbs)
“I welcome Senator Specter and his moderate voice to our diverse caucus, and to continuing our open and honest debate about the best way to make life better for the American people.” (Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid)
“…a great party left him, not the other way around.” (Senator Patrick Leahy)
“This has been a long time coming. He’s been having this conversation with Specter for half a dozen years. They’re close. You’d be hard-pressed to find a senator he’s co-sponsored more bills with.” (a senior official about Specter’s relationship with Vice-President Joe Biden, who spoke to FOX News on condition of anonymity)
“It’s a huge change for labor and for progressives everywhere. This provides the room, it provides space for him to continue this discussion and pass a meaningful bill.” (AFL-CIO legislative director Bill Samuel, talking about
This is just pouring grease on an already dangerous and slippery slope, of course. Our government was designed to contain inherent checks and balances. Whatever agenda the left-wing Democrats decide to push can go sliding downhill through with what will be at best lip-service given to any discussion about it. No matter how bad, no matter how harmful to the American people. No matter if the American people don’t even want it, whatever the left-wing wants, the left-wing will now get.
Unless every single one of us who doesn’t feel entitled to things we haven’t earned begin to voice our wishes loudly, clearly, and regularly – and do it right now by reminding the idiots wandering the halls of Congress that they work for us – I believe this is a clear sign that you may now kiss the American dream goodbye. Though I’d previously applauded his taking a stand against “card check”, if it means getting elected by the Democrat-controlled unions I am quite sure that Senator Spector will now vote for it. He’s as much said he’ll consider an EFCA “compromise”. With just a little encouragement, the Constitution is going to be ripped to shreds.
So you can kiss goodbye your right to work and your right to vote for unionization in secret and give a kiss hello to the government bureaucrats who will determine what businesses will pay their employees. You can kiss goodbye your 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. You can kiss goodbye your 4th and 5th Amendment rights to privacy and due process when the government watches everything you do and does whatever it wants to control actions you take that it doesn’t like. You can kiss goodbye more of your paycheck (if you are still getting one) so that nationalized health care can be implemented and you can later kiss goodbye any treatment you need when the government decides you aren’t worth it. You can kiss your Social Security goodbye because there won’t be any money to pay it to you, while kissing 22 million illegal immigrants hello as they become citizens and are given entitlement to take what you’ve worked so hard to earn. You can kiss the 22nd Amendment goodbye while kissing Barack Obama hello as he emulates his new BFF Hugo Chavez and becomes “president for life” if he so chooses. You can kiss the 1st Amendment goodbye when the government controls the media and dissenting opinions are outlawed, and the “Fairness Doctrine” makes sure everyone gets to hear what only special interests want us to hear.
But don’t worry. The government will take care of everything for you.