Sunday, April 22, 2007

DEMS AT A CROSSROADS

Many of us read about the pablum coming from the mouths of the national Democratic leadership. Unindicted Abscam co - conspirator Rep. John Murtha and Sen. Dick "Turban" Durbin disparaging our brave service men and women. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi having unauthorized meetings with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. And most recently, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid announcing that the Iraq War is "lost"; this pronouncement hit Al Jazeerah and other Arab media in a flash and has energized al Qaeda and other terror groups.
Going back a few years, we had Rep. "Baghdad Jim" McDermott carrying water for Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. In our own area, Rep. Frank Pallone made common cause with none other than Cindy Sheehan, who has broken bread with enemies of America like Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez.
But Abe, but Abe, these are national leaders; they wouldn't do anything to hurt America, would they? Hey, Benedict Arnold was a general before he turned against his own troops. He's a household name now.
Sounds like a pretty skanky bunch. Truth be told, this may not be only show.
Back in 1980, a large number of Democrats proved that they had no problem taking money from Arab sheiks. This was the Abscam case, and the sheiks were actually FBI agents, but the crooked pols didn't know that at the time. In the 90's, the Democratic National Committee had an infusion of funds traced to the People's Republic of China; the Chinese mysteriously ended up with our missile technology! So there is a longstanding tradition of Democratic friendship with enemies of America. This longstanding tradition includes accepting money from the same enemies, whether as bribes or campaign contributions.
Many Democrats must think all of this is a disgrace. It would seem that there are three clear choices for the Democrats:

1. Stand pat. You agree with all of this and support it wholeheartedly.

2. Voice your outrage. Within your party, speak up and work for change, both for the good of the party and the country.

3. Leave the party. Become a Republican, Green or independent. If the cancer has metastasized in the Democratic Party and can no longer be cured, Democrats of good will may consider this option. Here in Monmouth County, many Democrats are much more conservative than the national party, and the GOP might prove a logical choice for them. More liberal party members may choose the Greens.

Let's see if we hear any protest from local Dems on the antics of their national party. Pallone and his fellow Rep. Rush Holt should be held accountable for their stands, too.

2 comments:

Art Gallagher said...

Both parties are at a crossroads, as there are many disenchanted Republicans as well. The wastefull spending in Washington under Republican control, and not on the war, makes it hard to buy that the Republican Party is the Party for smaller government.

Downtowner said...

Politics is local. But I do not see any level of the Republican Party that has a clear advantage over its rival party.

The GOP has more than enough of its own problems too.

There are good people in both parties. I think that's true.