There’s so much happening in the United States that it’s hard to keep track of it all and remain focused. The good news is that the majority of Americans have more clearly decided how we are going to move forward. This is a good thing, for it indicates our direction and allows a lot of the incredible tension we’ve all been experiencing over the last few years to subside. It has been made clear to all of us how important our voice is, and that we must remain actively involved, always, in order to have our government and society reflect how we would like things to be. It should be readily apparent, at this point, what our apathy will create if we choose not to see. Quite a mess, indeed! Not to worry, however, for we can correct things with our continued attention and effort. We must understand that although we may be able to relax somewhat, we cannot mistakenly believe that we have arrived at a safe place just yet. We must remain diligent in our pursuit of truth and justice. Unfortunately, we have seen that certain individuals and groups have gotten away with the most destructive of ideologies, actions, and behaviors over the last many years because we have allowed them to. Now, we have an opportunity to understand that it is we who have oversight capabilities with our involvement in the electoral process. This is our democracy at work. Those who have the intent to destroy our way of life, or our ability to improve our way of life, therefore, will be held accountable for their actions in this way. It should be crystal clear to us as well which persons and groups intend to provide accountability, and which ones do not. We have decided that accountability begins today. Let’s consider a few things as we continue the good fight.
The Republican Party Makes No Apologies
It is obvious that the Republican Party has no intent to hold anyone accountable, for anything, especially its own members. After the attack on the U.S. Capitol, the Republican Party, both in the Senate and the House, had every opportunity to help find out what happened and why, but they declined. It seems fairly clear that some of their own members were involved in the instigation of this plot, and it is these individuals that must be held accountable and removed from office. What may be even more important to keep in mind concerning the Republican Party, is that every time a member of their party is involved in some kind of racist, antisemitic or anti-LGBTQ activity or comment, whether directly or indirectly, they say nothing and do nothing. This also, unfortunately, happens to be the case with all the blatant illegal and destructive actions and behaviors of Donald Trump and his Administration. Again, the Republicans were unable to stand up and do the right thing for the American people in any significant way. This is totally unacceptable. The good news is that the American people stood up for themselves in the 2022 midterm elections, by keeping the Republicans from taking over Congress as they were expected to. A disaster for their party, for sure, but a big win for our country. Accountability begins.
The Democratic Party and the Justice Department Take Action
The January 6th Committee has provided the American people with an honest look at the goings-on within the Trump Administration and the Republican Party. For this, we are truly grateful. Now, it’s time for the Justice Department to take over and bring those responsible for all these nefarious activities to account. Unfortunately, although “No One Is Above the Law” is in reality the highest ideal of our Justice Department, that has clearly not been the case up to this point. We all know this. It is time, finally, to make this principle be true through appropriate and necessary action today.
An “Out of Control” Supreme Court
Does the highest court of the United States have free rein now to dictate the reality of every American citizen? The answer seems to be yes. It needs to be pointed out that this is not their role, at least not as our founders envisioned it upon our country’s inception. Their role is intended to be, as we know, to uphold the Constitution and the legislation as put forth by Congress. This high body currently has no rules, ethics, or oversight whatsoever. It is, and will continue to be, a disaster for the Supreme Court to have the opportunity to legislate from the bench, which is what they are doing, under these conditions. Congress must intervene. There are several options Congress could take up to offset this undesirable outcome. We have the potential for term limits, the establishment of actual rules and ethics, and the possibility of placing additional justices on this court. If you are unaware of the serious implications here, let me remind you that Samuel Alito himself flew over to Rome, the influence of the Catholic Church is implied here, to give a speech, with much applause, after the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. It should be clear who this particular Justice, and others, are working for and what they are attempting to create. We cannot have any Religious Institution, or theocracy, to become the dictating body of influence within the highest aspects of the United States Government. Again, the Republican Party has no intent to create any oversight, or make any changes at this level, for they in fact placed these Justices in their positions in the first place. It is we, the people, who have given the Democratic Party responsibility to take action in this regard, once again, through the electoral process. There will be accountability at all levels if we are to see positive, forward movement.
Federal Power and State Power
The very definition of the “United States” is intended to mean that we are a group of individual states within a unified purpose and objective. The plan of the Republican Party and the Supreme Court is to give much more power to the States as opposed to the overriding Federal Government and its respective institutions. This has always been their goal. If they succeed in this venture, we are headed for the potential of having fifty independent countries, rather than one unified group and objective. Having said that, if any state wishes to secede from the union, let them go ahead. They will find themselves in quite a predicament when businesses and their own citizens leave their state in droves to pursue opportunity and fairness. The other potential disaster with this new placement of power is that each State Legislature will have the ability to elect government officials, including the president, regardless of the popular vote as set forth by the American people. Democracy as we know it would essentially end. We can avoid this by continuing our efforts to support Democratic Leaders, as they are much more likely to support what it is that we want.
Accountability for the Wealthy and the Corporate Sector
Although we are supposed to be a democracy, it is in fact the wealthiest among us who have the final say in terms of what our Congress does and does not do. This is in no way what our forefathers intended to be the case when our wonderful country was created. The reality we have faced thus far is that the more money a person has, the more power they have. This allows a person or company to do whatever they want to, no matter the illegality or negative impact on the country in which even they reside. There are no democratic principles in play with this reality. As I have mentioned before, there must be an end to lobbying and money in politics altogether.
As far as letting those with money and power continue to get away with murder, metaphorically speaking, let’s consider the unfortunate reality of what Donald Trump and his minions are confronting as I write these words. With so many ongoing, serious investigations, I find it hard to believe they will escape accountability in the end. If we do not hold those at the highest levels that are responsible for the attempted overthrow of our democracy accountable, it is inevitable it will happen again in the future, and the next time they will succeed. If the Justice Department is successful in their prosecutions, then, they can begin a slow move into the corporate world, and the wealthiest individuals in our country that the corporate world produces, and have their feet held to the fire as well. It should be clear that in order to acquire such obscene power and wealth, that these people would have to step on, take advantage of, and break every conceivable law, to get where they are. It’s time. Accountability begins at this level when they are forced to give back what they have unjustly acquired through appropriate legislation in Congress and the actions of the United States Justice Department.
One Humanity, One World
What happens in one country affects all other countries. If the United States is to be a “shining beacon” for the rest of the world, equality, fairness, and justice must begin at home. We can do it, and we are well on our way. It’s not that we do not care, it’s that we did not understand how much we have to be involved in order to make it all happen. This we can do. This we must do. In this way, we give momentum and impetus for every other human being, and every other country to follow our lead. A “higher justice” and a “higher law” remain our goal and promise, always.
All my love and support, be well