Over the weekend, in the middle of the night, the Democratic-controlled Congress passed a bill giving George W. Bush permission to spy on us without a warrant. 16 Senators and 41 House members from the so-called Democratic party voted along with just about every Republican.Back in 2000, Ralph Nader ran for President on the Green party ticket, claiming that there was no real difference between Democrats and Republicans. Last November, Democrats wrested control of Congress after twelve years of being the minority party. Since then, the rhetoric may have changed (slightly), but when the rubber hits the road too many so-called Democrats are voting Republican.
Consider the following "accomplishments" of the Democratic Congress:
- Democrats have refused to stand up against the continued occupation of Iraq.
- Democrats have failed to pass real legislative, ethics and lobbying reform.
- Democrats have caved in on military spending.
- Democrats have continued to roll out the pork barrel.
- And now, Democrats have deprived Americans of our Fourth Amendment rights.
Meanwhile, almost seven months after Alberto Gonzalez told the Senate Judiciary Committee that there is no Constitutional right to habeas corpus, he is still in office.
Apparently, the only difference between Democrats and Republicans lies in their words, not in their votes.
This is, of course, an exaggeration. Many, even most, Democrats are decidedly not Republican. The problem seems to stem from a lack of leadership from the Democratic ... well, for lack of a better word let's call it "leadership." Where are the caucuses, the press conferences, the representatives on Sunday morning talk shows - in short, the barrage of progressive propaganda designed to counter the right-wing insanity that is spewing forth all over the mass media?
It's time for a change.
Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi have proven, on these and many other issues, that they are incapable of making a difference. They have proven that they are not competent to lead, and like George W. Bush, they must be replaced.
The only question is, are there enough real Democrats - who don't look just like Republicans - to force a change?
Copyright 2007, Dan Jacoby
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