Pondering the significance of the growing number of “Tea Parties” that have sprung up all across this nation spawned an idea whose time has come. Just as the original “Boston Tea Party” was an act of rebellion against unfair and unjust taxation, so too are their re-enactments. It was taxation without representation that provoked the act back in the day. Today, it is taxation by our representation.
It is aggravatingly comical to watch elected members of all branches of our government stomp their feet and slam their fists as they bellow and bluster for the need of oversight. This system of checks and balances was designed by our founders to guard against excessive power in a single branch of government, but just who has “oversight” of the government et al?
From Senator Chris Dodd who not only wrote the now infamous “bonuses” amendment that has fairly exploded congress, to Barney Frank and his full immersion in the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae housing collapse, the time for all of them to face justice has arrived. It is laughable to listen to the likes of Sen. Dodd wax profound in his condemnation of bonuses and executive salaries, even as he is the leading recipient of campaign contributions from public enemy No. 1, AIG. It is equally repugnant to observe our new president feign anger at AIG when the amount they contributed to his election is near equal to that of the good senator.
As for the double talk and finger pointing with regard to who inserted the language in the amendment that protected bonuses for Execs of institutions receiving government funds, it is reminiscent of the old phrase: “I am sure you believe you understand what you thought I said but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”
If all this hocus pocus to shift our focus were not enough, the House of Representatives has passed legislation to tax those AIG bonuses at 90%, an act that in essence violates the constitutional provision against a “bill of attainder.” This provision protects citizens from punitive legislation specifically targeting individuals or groups without a trial. All of which brings us back to the question, who is providing oversight of the government?
Members of congress hold endless and often punitive hearings in their pursuit of “oversight.” However, why should members of congress be exempt from that practice themselves? Many will argue that this process is addressed as a function of elections but once elected, those we send to represent us quickly forget that obligation.
The concept of holding hearings with members of congress sitting in the hot seat is not as far-fetched as one might think. Certainly, holding actual hearings in congress with citizens presiding over the hearings is a stretch but holding hearings for members of congress in their respective districts by locally elected officials is not.
Members in both chambers of congress have it in their heads that they are the supreme council; it is time to shake them back to reality. By their actions and their consistent intent to pass legislation that flies in the face of a clear majority of the American people, to include all parties, they have established the government as a “ruling forum,” not one of governance.
We the people have allowed our government to grow to dictatorial proportions and now that government believes they have us bound by the “tenacity of mope.” Nothing would better rekindle the passions of the people to take an active role in government, than the opportunity to periodically subject their elected representative or their senators to the rigors of having to answer to his or her constituents under oath. Moreover, a Townhall forum is not acceptable, such is a forum of the government, it must be a forum of the people.
Tea parties are wonderful symbolism but accomplish only that, a symbolic gesture of our mood. Just as the action of the first tea party brought substance to the argument, so now should we the people bring that substance to our elected officials in the form of oversight. They will scoff, perhaps chuckle at the notion but would quickly learn that what they say, can and will be used against them. Turnabout is fair play it is said and it is about time we turn the tables on our would be Lords and Ladies