December 25, 2013

Winner Takes All

By Tammy Derouin

I answered my land line, something I rarely do.  There was a moment of awkwardness when the realization set in that this wasn’t going to be easy, poor guy.  I hope I wasn’t too difficult.  The caller asked if I would be interested in participating in a political poll.  I pulled up a chair, grabbed a drink and asked if he was ready.

The first question: which political party do you belong to or which best represents your political point of view?  He gave me two choices and that’s where the fun began, for me anyway.  In all fairness, I asked if he was ready.  I also asked if these were my only choices. 

I don’t claim either party.  The Democratic Party has shifted so far to the left that they’re not even an option for me. They’re going backwards, moving in the wrong direction but calling it progress.  How is it progress when they want to steer us back to the days of a top-down system of government? 

The Republican Party isn’t much better.  They too are moving closer to the left.  They’re just a little slower at it.  Some are resisting the shift from center and question how we got so far off course.  The rule book wasn’t designed to take us backwards. 

I’m a Constitutionalist.  I vote for the party most likely to uphold the Constitution, not destroy it.  The fact that I have to consider the destruction of the Constitution is a pretty good indicator as to how far from center we have wandered.

The Progressives have infected the Democratic Party so deeply that Democratic Socialist Party is a much more realistic name.  The Republican Party lost their spine which led to their values and beliefs.  When the Republicans decided to target the Tea Party, they shot themselves in the foot.  Of course, they didn’t realize how much damage they caused so they ignored the wound.  This only made their condition worse as they were already dealing with an infection.  It eventually traveled to the heart.  It destroyed their foundation causing their own death.

Our Constitution, which is the law of the land, has been repeatedly disregarded.  Why do so many Americans support a person or a party who do not adhere to the rules they should be following and protecting?  The Left has slowly infected the Right.  Our once balanced system has tipped, favoring one side.  Our two party system is merging into one.  If there’s only one party, there aren’t any political obstacles. The most powerful within the existing or ruling party will emerge and establish his desired system of government.  With no opposition, the winner takes all.

I’m sorry, what was the question?  Essay answers weren’t allowed so I chose the party that’s in the grave but hasn’t been buried.  I believe in miracles so I remain optimistic that enough people will realize what has been taking place and pray for a miracle.  I’m not suggesting the resurrection of the Republican Party.  I’m hoping the people in this great American experiment will realize what we are about to lose. 

As the poll continued, I was asked to prioritize the importance of government issues and which ones should be addressed first.  The only problem, all issues were high priorities.  All areas from national security, the deficit, to health care and education need immediate attention.  Each issue impacts the others. 

The most discouraging part of the poll was when certain high profile people from each party were paired together.  I was then asked who I would most likely vote for in the next presidential election.  The choices that were mentioned didn’t give me much hope.  It was a matter of which ones would destroy us later rather than sooner.

I don’t support either party.  When asked, I say I’m a Constitutionalist.  It usually causes the person to pause and consider what I’ve said.  After a moment, I get the nod of agreement.  If nothing else, I want people to consider the alternative.  If you believe in the American system of government, why would you support a person or group who is doing more to destroy it rather than uphold it? If you’re not supporting the Constitution, what are you supporting? 

“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.  Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!”

Benjamin Franklin