I read deep into the front section of the paper this morning. Deep these days is anything beyond the front page! Page 10A caught my eye: GOP blocks Democrats from project funding. And right across on 11A the headline read White House Muzzles Democrats. The two stories capture everything that is wrong about this administration.
The first article discusses a Republican sponsored spending bill that directs $138 billion. Democrats argued that it put emphasis on the wrong things and ultimately lost to Republican controlled House. The punishment is that none of the $138 billion will be spent in Democratic districts.
The second article is the Bush Administration's reaction to numerous requests for information about how the White House spends taxpayer dollars. Apparently the straw that broke the Bush back, was a request for information about the cost of a Mission Accomplished banner aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln when Bush held a photo opportunity to declare victory over Iraq.
Ok, let’s break this down. There are two political parties and three branches of government. They are supposed to serve as our checks and balances. This is our insurance that everyone plays the game the way the people want it played. WE THE PEOPLE have the right to know how our tax dollars are spent, even it annoys the Bush Administration. Our representative government requires a level of openness so that we have enough information to voice our opinions to our representatives. Secrets within the Federal Government should be few.
What type of response can the Bush administration expect from such moves? Is this merely good political competition or does it go further? I think the outcome could be daunting.
Americans believe in a tax system that balances our wealth out. That’s why rich people pay more than poor people. This redistribution makes sense. But with the Republicans in charge they are redistributing the wealth of Democrats to Republicans. In fact, Republicans who live in Democratic districts are also seeing their wealth redistributed. Will this change how people vote? Forget about the best person for the job. Forget about voting for the person who best represents my independent opinion. If I don't vote with the rest of the country I get screwed.
What's happening in Washington. Have they forgot about the people? The President serves by the will of the people and the people have a right to know what he's up to. And frankly I don't think people will vote for a party that uses these strong arm tactics. Feels more like the Mafia than the United States of America.
Government needs to represent the interests of the people, all the people. Government must operate in an open fashion so the people can keep a watchful eye on its Government. We know what trouble other countries can get into that don't have such protections.
Something is very wrong in Washington right now. I wonder if my taxes will go up for thinking these thoughts?
November 8, 2003
© 2003 Greg Harris