EDITORIAL:
Robert Samuelson, writing for Real Clear Politics, makes some very disturbing observations. After reading this you might re-consider your priorities between now and November when we have the chance to accomplish a peaceful revolution, replacing our entire Congress all at one time.
When historians recount the momentous events of recent weeks, they will note a curious coincidence. On March 15, Moody's Investors Service -- the bond rating agency -- published a paper warning that the exploding U.S. government debt could cause a downgrade of Treasury bonds. Just six days later, the House of Representatives passed President Obama's health care legislation costing $900 billion or so over a decade and worsening an already-bleak budget outlook.
Should the United States someday suffer a budget crisis, it will be hard not to conclude that Obama and his allies sowed the seeds, because they ignored conspicuous warnings.
Let's be clear. A "budget crisis" is not some minor accounting exercise. It's a wrenching political, social and economic upheaval. Large deficits and rising debt -- the accumulation of past deficits -- spook investors, leading to higher interest rates on government loans. The higher rates expand the budget deficit and further unnerve investors. To reverse this calamitous cycle, the government has to cut spending deeply or raise taxes sharply. Lower spending and higher taxes in turn depress the economy and lead to higher unemployment. Not pretty.
Though Jefferson, Adams, Madison and others were brilliant men, they were also revolutionaries. They witnessed the cost of "throwing off" their government, first hand.
This new nation had no tax base, so the cost of raising, feeding, arming and providing for a military to defeat the powerful British war forces, came from the donations and loans of private individuals who "pledged their fortunes" to the cause of liberty.
This new nation was divided. Only about 1/3 of the citizens favored armed revolution, about 1/3 were opposed and the remainder were undecided. For those who threw in with the revolution they put their lives at risk. Not only did they risk their lives on the battlefield, but they were committing acts of treason and faced execution for their acts. Thus they pledged their "lives" to the cause of liberty.
The men who provided the energy for this epic struggle to liberate men and women from tyranny, were British subjects. Their decision to overthrow their King on this continent in order to bring forth a new nation, conceived in liberty required that they risk their "sacred honor" for the cause.
They knew the costs in life, honor and treasure of that struggle. But they also knew that the time would come again when it might become necessary to "dissolve the political bands" between the people and their government. And in recognition of this future need, and their desire to make the process less bloody, less costly and more honorable, they designed, drafted and adopted a Constitution in which the blueprints for peaceful revolution were drawn.
Every two years, every single member of the House of Representatives runs for election, all at once. Congress does not run in staggered terms, rather every seat, at one time, comes up for election every two years. And because no spending and no taxation can originate in any other place, the replacement of the Congress all at one time, has the effect of taking control of the entire government. It is a peaceful, yet powerful process for revolution.
If Congress refuses to fund a program, an agency, a bureaucracy, an office or an executive order, no one person or branch of government can override that decision. Literally, the power of the people resides in "The People's House". The power of the people rests in YOUR hands.
How will you spend your time between now and November? Will you step onto the battlefield yourself, putting your life, your fortune or what you may perceive as your honor on the line? Or will you remain a loyal "subject" to those who without challenge day by day find ways to increase their power over your life as they, over time become your ruler?
As Thomas Paine said in December, 1776:
THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
I hear what you're saying, Marcus, but if the GOP continues to run centerist candidates who refuse the real reasons they lost the last two elections, I think the Tea Party voters will just stay home again. One reason that Obama is so detrimental is that he will allow the GOP to win without seriously addressing their historical shortcomings.
No Congress, Republican or otherwise, has ever reduced the size of government, and in recent history, only Clinton managed to pull off even a facade of a balanced budget.
As much as I detest most things Obama, this is most certainly not all on him.
Posted by: AngelaTC | March 29, 2010 at 06:07 PM