Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Do We Stand A Fighting Chance?

Before I begin, let me state for the record that, regardless of whether we have a chance to get our democracy back or not, I am prepared to go to the wall with this. I am not ready to roll over because 'there's nothing we can do about it'. I will keep hollering because the alternative is unacceptable to me.

However, I have some grave doubts about the possibility of any kind of democratic (small 'd') process when I hear with my own ears a voice vote taken where the 'ayes' are clearly audible, the 'noes' are practically inaudible, and the chair moves that the 'noes' have it. That is pretty much saying black is white, and white is black, and anyone who disagrees can take a long walk on a short pier.

I have grave doubts when I watch with my own eyes a chairman of a hearing shut off microphones and stalk out of the room to keep witnesses from testifying, and get away without so much as a 'by-your-leave'.

I have grave doubts when I see something happen that I have never seen before - the media intimidated into silence by an administration that will not tolerate dissent of any kind.

I have grave doubts when I watch civil rights and property rights and privacy rights dismantled before my eyes by the most secretive, bloodthirsty and greedy administration ever, without a peep from the party that is supposed to be all about freedom from government intrusion. When I see anyone who dares to speak the truth about what they see smeared and discredited, and anyone who places loyalty to the administration over doing what's right promoted and decorated.

I have grave doubts when I find that the only places that the exit polling does not closely match election results are places that are pivotal to one candidate's success.

I have grave doubts when a congressman of sterling character and 30 years' service to our country, carrying a letter signed by 122 other congresspeople and over half a million Americans, is insulted and dismissed by an unelected underling as if he were a beggar at the gate.

I have grave doubts when a 'Snowflake' of cells or one brain-dead woman represents the 'Culture of Life' and an avalanche of American and Iraqi deaths mean nothing.

When torture is acceptable and the reporting of it is unacceptable.

When facts mean nothing, spin means everything and the President uses the word 'propaganda' in all seriousness.

When 'pre-emptive war' is national policy.

When the President's idea of 'bipartisanship' means 'both parties agree with me."

All of this flies in the face of everything I thought I knew about America. And I have the fear that, no matter what information is revealed to the American people, our votes and our voices will not matter anymore.

We are being ruled by a dynasty. It doesn't really matter who is President; the idiot son is just a puppet, albeit a cruel and vindictive one. This administration is filled with the plutocrats and chickenhawks that have been in collusion for decades. There can be no accountability when everyone in power is in on the fix.

Bill Clinton was vulnerable because he was a country boy from a poor family, with only his brains and personality to recommend him. He got to be President on his own, and didn't have a phalanx of courtiers to protect him when he displeased the ruling class. George Bush does not have that vulnerability.

At the moment, I'm running out of hope - not that we're not right, but that it won't matter. I will not let that stop me from raising my voice and taking whatever action I can. But I sure could use a little light at the end of the tunnel. And I don't mean the light of an oncoming train.

I want my democracy back, you thugs!

11 comments:

Jon said...

BRAVO!

Jon said...

I went to another site just a few minutes ago, saw this quote, and immediately felt you needed to hear it...... I'd never read this quote before. Simple, yet.... perfect..

"The important thing is not to stop questioning." - Albert Einstein

afb said...

Alicia.......that was a very powerful post! When I travel through the blogosphere I always feel a little better because of words like yours. Knowing that there are people like you out there is a comfort. We have our work cut out for us.......one word at a time.

best wishes marie

Alicia Morgan said...

mud - that quote is so great. I remember my mom, a former Catholic, having become a Unitarian in the 60s, having their bumper sticker on her car which said, "To question is the answer". It's so true. To accept without question leads us to...where we are today!

Marie - thanks so much. As I said before, I am in awe of how you are able to pull so much information together and make it available to the rest of us. You really inspire me.

wanda said...

Absolutely AMAZING! This should have been read last night, before and after Bush's web of lies!
May I please use this and post it over on my personal blog? I will of course give you full credit and post a link back to you.
Amazing Alicia!

Alicia Morgan said...

Anything for you, Wanda! Let 'er rip!

oldwhitelady said...

Thank you, Alicia! This is a great post. By reading it, it helps me focus, too. Yes, never give up!

Alicia Morgan said...

My pleasure, OWL - I'll be damned if I'm just going to let them make off with my country without some kind of a fight...

wanda said...

Alicia, I'm going to be posting this in BOTH my blogs tomorrow. There will be a link back to you of course!
I want to spread this message far and wide.

Alicia Morgan said...

Many thanks, Wanda - if the Commander-in-Thief's plummeting approval ratings are any indication, that little light flickering at the end of the tunnel may be what we're looking for...

Alicia Morgan said...

Hi, Seven - welcome to Hooterville! I'm actually not a member of any church at the moment, although my mom is a very active Unitarian. I consider myself a Christian (although I'll bet James Dobson doesn't!) because I believe that the teachings of Jesus are the highest spiritual teachings I have come across - the teachings that transcend karma, or 'an eye for an eye'. Love trumps. However, you can be a Christian and a Unitarian at the same time, but I'm not involved in any particular church.

It does feel as if the tide is turning a little bit; where it's not just us lefties. But it is frustrating when every single branch of the government is controlled by Republicans, and not just Republicans, but neocons and corporate interests who have been working together for years and years and have no interest in anything but holding onto their own power and furthering their own interests exclusively. They are not interested in compromise, bipartisanship or the interests of the minority (which is actually the majority, numbers-wise).

Thanks for coming by and joining the club! I really do feel that, by doing what we're doing, we are making a difference; not just for our own sanity but the welfare of the country. It was bloggers who kept the dialogue alive on Downing Street, and I think we will continue to be a voice that can't be silenced by the pressure that BushCo is used to exerting on those who don't toe their party line.

best, Alicia