We need a new independence

A physical barrier such as a wall or fence would be a visual deterrent to those who want to sneak across our border. That is why we maintain physical barriers around prisons, our homes and the White House. Unfortunately, too many members of Congress view the millions of illegal aliens as potential voters, not the identity thieves that they are. The proud citizens of sovereign nations defend their borders. If they fail to protect their borders, their freedom and liberty is in peril.

Too many members of Congress think getting re-elected and having their party in the majority is more important than ensuring our national security. Members such as Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) and Senator John Kerry (D-MA) have made near treasonous statements and proposals that politicize the war on terrorism. According to a report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Murtha claimed that U.S. presence in Iraq is “more dangerous to world peace than nuclear threats from North Korea or Iran.” Kerry offered an amendment to the 2007 Defense Authorization Act that would have required the so-called redeployment of our military from Iraq by mid-2007. It was soundly defeated by a vote of 86-13.

Have no doubt about it – there are some Americans, including members of Congress – who want the terrorists to win. Every time we receive significant intelligence about the enemy, our enemies from within say we obtained is unconstitutionally, as if terrorists should receive the benefits of our constitutional protections. Every time we achieve a military victory they call for us to “redeploy” the troops. Setting a date certain for troop withdrawal is like placing a sign in your yard telling the local burglar the times you plan to be away from your home with the front door unlocked. Our enemies from within see our national security as just another political issue.

Our kings in Washington, knowing the power of incumbency, appear unmoved by their low approval ratings. A June 15 FOX News/Opinion Dynamics poll found that just twenty-nine percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing. These poll results should be a wake-up call for a change in leadership and legislative priorities.

We the people can achieve a new independence from the kings in the Capitol. It begins not by changing the party in the majority in the 2006 elections, but by changing the leadership in the House and Senate and demanding common sense solutions on the big issues. The consent of the governed must replace re-election as the top priority in Congress. By demanding a change in leadership we can change the focus from “We the Congress, by the Congress, for the Congress” to “We the people, by the people, for the people.”