Tuesday, August 4, 2009

"One nation under God, DIVISIBLE?"


While reading through the Drudge Report I came across the above video about a town hall meeting with Senator Tim Bishop of NY. Now there are a few topics discussed in the video but the main ones are about universal health care and cap and trade. While watching the video and listening to the angry crowd and the responses Senator Bishop gave a few thoughts ran through my mind about the state our nation is in.


1) "We Want our Country Back!" screamed one woman before the town hall meeting begins. What does that mean? To her and many other Americans it might mean that the people we elected into office are not representing our values and representing our voice. The senator, in one of his little speeches, talked about what his beliefs were and what his stance on certain issues were but is that why he was elected? Was he elected to represent his beliefs or was he elected to represent his constituents beliefs? And, as one can tell by this video, his beliefs didn't reflect his constituents beliefs. OK, so there is a belief among Americans that our voices are not being represented by our congressmen.
However, one must ask the question how we lost our country in the first place? Why are these men who don't represent the majority holding office? If you look at the voter turnout for federal elections from 1960-2008 we find a startling fact. One, only about 50% of the country turns out to vote for presidential elections (the bold numbered years, every four years) and a dismal 36-40% for congressional elections (every two years). And from what we've seen in past and current years, the majority voice does not speak up, and now we see that the majority voice does not vote. So the majority of Americans are asleep at the wheel and those who are speaking up are those who we see as more liberal or progressive, hence the more liberal congressmen and liberal bills being proposed.
Can we not say then that we brought this upon ourselves? Is it not our fault that we did not step up to the plate and take action when it needed to be taken? I include myself in this realm because I am one of those 60% who have not voted in congressional elections. I have been one of those people who didn't take much interest in the political realm because I was complacent and didn't see much of a problem, until now when the majority of our leaders have views that are contrary to mine. But I didn't do anything about it when I had the chance. So yes, it is partially my fault, as it is everyone who does not participate in voting. Democracy only works when the people participate. Hopefully this situation will awaken the majority at the next elections. Let us take more interest in our local leaders and those we send to Washington. Let the majority speak! Remember the words of king Mosiah when he said "it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right...and if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you..." (Mosiah 29:26-27)

2) A note to senators and congressmen: Listen to the people. If the majority of your veterans say that they are disappointed with VA services because they've had personal experience there you shouldn't respond by saying "I'm proud of our VA services," especially if you've never had to use them. If more military families are being forced to seek medical service off base because they cannot get into seeing their primary care provider than I see a problem. That's just two examples of government run healthcare, we need not discuss other failed government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, Social Security, Cash for Clunkers, Digital TV, etc. Again I repeat, listen to your constituents.

3) Remember that we still need to act in a civilized matter. Yes you might be upset but don't let that anger turn to irrationality. Things need to be done in an organized manner. Everyone has the right to voice their opinion and be heard, even if you disagree with it. I heard a commentator yesterday talk about the importance of remaining calm and organized. It only takes one screw ball fanatic to ruin it for everyone else. "The government won't hesitate to use the excuse of EMERGENCY," this commentator says. We need to be bold but not overbearing, forceful but not violent.

4) One thing that really disappoints me is the divided parties in our government. Democrats are fighting against Republicans because of party affiliation. Democrats say that they will push health care reform with or without Republican support. By doing this they want to push a reform upon millions of Americans who don't want it. In the past we've seen Republicans do the same thing. Fellow Americans, "UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL." Our country is continuing to be divided by these so called parties and eventually it will affect the country. It's time that we step out of the realm of political parties and make decisions based on the good of the country, not the good of the party.
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