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A week ago, Senate leaders approached a calendar full of pressing legislation with heads full of optimism that they could wrap it up before the July 4 recess.
Then reality hit.
Faced with proposals to fund the Iraq war, address the growing housing crisis, renew the Bush administrat ... Continue reading »
Then reality hit.
Faced with proposals to fund the Iraq war, address the growing housing crisis, renew the Bush administrat ... Continue reading »
12 months ago
Hmmm suppose we use this to evaluate FISA which contains telecom immunity and ignoring the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution.
Obviously by passing the present FISA bill Congress at the Presidents insistence will be doing the terrorists work. Certainly the idea of a government spying on its own citizens can disrupt daily life and the government. It is against the law and the Constitution.
Political considerations and compromise when applied to decisions on the laws and the rights of citizens leads to bad law. Either we follow the law, or through proper process change it. We do not pass special legislation to exempt criminals or give them immunity because the President asked them to break the law. Either we follow and preserve the Constitution or we dilute it to the point of meaninglessness.
I am sorry to say my cynicism has reached the point of saying that the political considerations such as, "if we pass this and something happens will we endanger our chances in the next election?", and "will it endanger the war profits we are making?" have become the determining factor, not the legality or need for the law.
I do not believe anyone can argue that the breaking of the law or violating the Constitution will better the Country, UNLESS you subscribe to the, "I'd rather be secure (maybe) than free", philosophy.
The question now is how can we get out of this type of government? How can we get back to the idea that it is better to be good than do well. Government has been hijacked by those with money, power and influence. Somehow we must remind government it is, "We the people..." that are the basis for its power, the reason for its existence and the purpose of its actions.
Under a, "we the people..." government our elected officials would not even consider the present FISA bill.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.