I awoke in my Arlington, Va. hotel room thinking about the day in Washington D.C we were about to embark on. One of the things I was definitely looking forward to was touring the US Capitol building. I had not been to the Capitol since high school, and back then, I was one of those kids who could care less about our political process. I was bored by it.
Today was different! As the tour guide moved us through the building I was struck by the grandeur of it all. As with many of the D.C sites, I felt such pride in our country's history, despite all of our mistakes. This 230+ year experiment has been a meteoric rise to the top of the "greatest civilizations" list. Just walking around D.C. feels special, like I'm a very small cog in our wonderful republic.
As we neared the end of the tour, the guide said we were in luck and could actually enter the House chamber and sit down on the floor because they weren't in session. The House was in recess except for Republican speakers who were talking with no microphones, no C-Span cameras, and talking to mostly nobody. They were trying to keep the chamber open to discuss our energy situation after Speaker Pelosi shut things down three weeks ago. It seems the Dems would rather not talk about $4 gasoline. They along with groups like the Sierra Club would rather blame the average citizen for our "carbon footprint" and fix it with wind and solar solutions that are about 3% of our current energy production.
You see, the Dems don't want ANY discussion on the issue. At least not until Barack Obama has a chance to get elected in November. It's much easier to be on NPR or NBC bashing anyone interested in using U.S. coal or oil reserves to lower prices. Clean U.S coal is bad, but dirty Saudi oil is okay here in America. You see, the party of free speech and tolerance is only for such speech with they agree with it. If not, they go to great lengths to shut you up.
As we entered the chamber, I felt a surge of patriotism and a swell of pride in our government. This is where the important votes which shape our future happen. Connie and I listened to two House Republicans speak about the reasons why we need to have debate on this critical issue. It was quite invigorating and the best 'tour' we could be on. Here was an elected official talking to "the people." I realize we are very cynical about our leaders, and I'm the first one to say we have a crisis of leadership in this country, but I was still excited.
I have not given up on our government and neither should you. The people need to use common sense when picking our next leaders. We are the ones voting (well 50-60%, anyway), and we are the ones to blame for rewarding leaders who promise things and never come through. We need to be more vocal when they put forth legislation which is clearly wrong instead of just ignoring it and hoping it goes away. If enough of us get involved in the process, we can still make a difference.
Today was different! As the tour guide moved us through the building I was struck by the grandeur of it all. As with many of the D.C sites, I felt such pride in our country's history, despite all of our mistakes. This 230+ year experiment has been a meteoric rise to the top of the "greatest civilizations" list. Just walking around D.C. feels special, like I'm a very small cog in our wonderful republic.
As we neared the end of the tour, the guide said we were in luck and could actually enter the House chamber and sit down on the floor because they weren't in session. The House was in recess except for Republican speakers who were talking with no microphones, no C-Span cameras, and talking to mostly nobody. They were trying to keep the chamber open to discuss our energy situation after Speaker Pelosi shut things down three weeks ago. It seems the Dems would rather not talk about $4 gasoline. They along with groups like the Sierra Club would rather blame the average citizen for our "carbon footprint" and fix it with wind and solar solutions that are about 3% of our current energy production.
You see, the Dems don't want ANY discussion on the issue. At least not until Barack Obama has a chance to get elected in November. It's much easier to be on NPR or NBC bashing anyone interested in using U.S. coal or oil reserves to lower prices. Clean U.S coal is bad, but dirty Saudi oil is okay here in America. You see, the party of free speech and tolerance is only for such speech with they agree with it. If not, they go to great lengths to shut you up.
As we entered the chamber, I felt a surge of patriotism and a swell of pride in our government. This is where the important votes which shape our future happen. Connie and I listened to two House Republicans speak about the reasons why we need to have debate on this critical issue. It was quite invigorating and the best 'tour' we could be on. Here was an elected official talking to "the people." I realize we are very cynical about our leaders, and I'm the first one to say we have a crisis of leadership in this country, but I was still excited.
I have not given up on our government and neither should you. The people need to use common sense when picking our next leaders. We are the ones voting (well 50-60%, anyway), and we are the ones to blame for rewarding leaders who promise things and never come through. We need to be more vocal when they put forth legislation which is clearly wrong instead of just ignoring it and hoping it goes away. If enough of us get involved in the process, we can still make a difference.
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Obama is the change we need. I disagree with the rhetoric TT has posted. He is obviously biased. OK, so I'm not even buying my own blasphemy.
ReplyDeleteGlad your having a good time on your trip. Go McCain!
Excellent blog space my fellow radical! Your family and friends will be proud of this new endeavor. Since you come from a family of writers, you will be invited back to the family reunion next year.
ReplyDeleteWhether the Libs like it or not, we have an obligation to speak out (PC or not). They need to hear opposing points of view, since it will help validate their self imposed "tolerant" moniker.
Don't be deceived by the beaming smile and Darth Vadar-like voice of Obama, he's the most pro-abortion candidate in history. Planned Parenthood gave him a 100%, so that tells you something right there. If elected, he plans to pass the "Freedom of Choice Act", which would wipe out ALL state restrictions on the use of abortion. Such "burdens" as parental notification, third trimester abortions and partial birth abortion, to name just a few of the restrictions Americans have already voted in favor of ...and feel are necessary. But in this case, the will of the people doesn't matter because we're dumb and he's smart.
In fact pro-life nurses and doctors would be FORCED against their will to perform abortions, doesn't sound very tolerant to me. In fact it sounds Fascist. Combine that arrogance with socialism and we could be in trouble.
All this in light of the DNC trying to paint him as compassionate. The man is not ready for prime-time. I challenge everyone to peel away the layers and discover what lies underneath.