Letters to the Editor

• In a word...

  [Read the article: A bill of rights for the beleaguered GOP?]
  [Read more letters about this article: Here]

  No.

  These type of concessions only work between two parties bound by duty and ethical obligation to not only the other, but a higher responsibility than their own party's interests. Unless this Bill were carved into the Constitution, which it won't be, it will be viewed by the GOP as another way to take advantage of a weaker foe. Should the GOP regain the majority in 2008, the Bill of Rights would be swept away with the same contempt Hastert showed it in 2004. Believing this Bill would protect a Dem minority in 2009 is like believing Mark Foley would become more responsible toward teenage boys if he chaired a commission on child sexual predators.

  The only other argument put forth for granting this Bill, is some belief that "taking the high road" should be something the Democrats should aspire to. This assumes any one party can act as some holy arbiter of what the "high road" really is. In a duel it may be far more noble to shoot into the air, but it will still leave you dead, with little more to look forward to than your face on a twenty dollar bill. Our political system, no matter what the noble intentions, is not built on contests of chivalry, but the competitive field of open debate between competing parties and their ideals. ( Tom Delay understood this, and no matter how egregious his goals, he pursued it to success only stopped by criminal law and an opponant finally strong enough to expose his corruption. But it was the corruption, not the tactics that was wrong with Delay. )

  This also assumes the people who voted for the Dems care about political niceties over passing the agenda the Dems may only be able to accomplish if they don't give the GOP the power to undermine the promises made to the public. Passing the Bill of Rights won't win the Dems reelection in 08. Spending two years with their prize bills mired in committee, debates and deadlocked votes will surely cost them reelection.

  If Speaker Pelosi really wants to see a Bill of Rights that would withstand a change of party leadership in two years, she needs to demonstrate that such a Bill is not just good for her party's conscionsce (or as the right would say, "the weakness of elitist snobbery") She must demonstrate such a Bill is equally good to the GOP even when they are in power. A good two year political thumpin would be a good start.

  Let the Bill be introduced, then table it until October, 2008

  Permalink Tuesday, January 2, 2007 11:38 AM