Sometimes, it’s nearly impossible not to be cynical about where America is going.
I blame both Democrats and Republicans — but in different ways. I hate how Democrats hate my beloved country and try to destroy it, and I go into neurotic fits at how cowardly and deceitful Republicans behave when given the opportunity to stop them.
I recently attended a retreat that was, for lack of a better word, political. Many famous people spoke at the retreat such as Fox News’ Sara Carter, Katie Pavlich, Jesse Watters, and Trey Gowdy. It was at this retreat that I learned from Trey Gowdy some of the ‘inside baseball’ that occurs – some of which I’m sure many of you know.
For instance, and most telling, if a piece of legislation you campaigned on –- in other words, made a promise to your constituents — had any chance to see the light of day, you almost always have to be on the respective House or Senate committee. If you are, you can lobby (persuade) your ‘friends,’ especially the committee chairman, to bring it up. If you’re not on that committee, the work is only more difficult. Assuming you get what you want, a floor vote, you can rest assured the support you received from your colleagues will be met with demands that you support legislation you probably loathe. The Lion King has nothing on this circle of life.
While I understand how difficult it can be, is there something wrong with just assuming you’ll be a one-termer and be the guy known for proudly and loudly saying ‘NO’? No to more regulations, no to more taxes, no to the administrative state, no to stupid votes that limit freedom, and no to backroom deals. Instead, you have someone like Trey Gowdy, a superb orator who could motivate a corpse, spend virtually his entire eight-year career mostly delivering good speeches. During the Q&A after his talk, a man in the audience asked Gowdy why he would vote to continue funding Obamacare or Planned Parenthood. All we really heard in reply was not much more than, ‘Well, that’s the way it is.’
Representative John Shimkus once issued a forceful rejection of climate science at a congressional hearing, invoking the Bible and declaring that, ‘Earth will end only when God declares it’s time to be over.’
Last month, in a turnabout, the Illinois Republican signed onto a letter with the top Republican of the House Energy and Commerce Committee that said, ‘prudent steps should be taken to address current and future climate risks.’
‘It’s just not worth the fight anymore,’ Shimkus said in an interview when asked about his changing stance on climate change. ‘Let’s just see what we can do to address it and not hurt the economy.’
Forgive me this crude assessment, but what a douchebag. Shimkus either didn’t believe in God then, or he doesn’t believe in God now. It’s becoming clichéd to level this accusation: Is he being paid off? Was he given money or political favor in return for conceding on one of the great hoaxes played on mankind? Is being liked by Democrats — or not being viciously attacked by them — that important that you would throw away everything you believe up until five minutes ago?
What Gowdy, Shimkus, and every other elected official who failed to do what was necessary to support freedom, are you afraid of? Your mere presence and your carefully delivered words pulled audiences to cheer and clap for you when you promised to reduce the leviathan of the US government, and yet you exit stage left like cowards. These people either agree with Democrats, or they’re too afraid to voice any opposition that will at least pump the brakes on our demise.
Is anyone else tired of being disappointed?
