The Audacity of Arrogance

Within the couple of days, I have seen more than a few examples of arrogance from Al Gore, Nancy Pelosi, Howard Dean, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, Barack Obama, just to name a few. And if you go back in recent history, you'll find plenty of other examples.

Take this gem of egotism, for example. Madame Speaker responded to a question about her tactics to block efforts to lift the moratorium on offshore drilling by saying, "I'm trying to save the planet; I'm trying to save the planet. I will not have this debate trivialized by their excuse for their failed policy." Madame Speaker, I don't recall anyone asking you to save the planet because, well, if I were looking for someone to save the planet, I'd want someone competent. And, I'm sorry Ms. "I Got Congressional Approval Ratings To Single Digits", but I don't think you qualify.

Then, there's Republican Senator Ted Stevens. He was indicted for concealing over $250,000 in gifts he received from VECO Corporation, an Alaskan oil services company. He was also indicted of seven counts of giving false information on his Senate financial disclosure forms. If the name sounds familiar, it should; he was also the mastermind behind the "bridge to nowhere" to get more pork money to Alaska. If he's found guilty, I say he should be thrown in jail just for the "bridge to nowhere."

From Pelosi to Stevens and all points in between, our elected officials have gotten arrogant and seemingly above the law. They are the new untouchables, according to them. They can do whatever they want, screw whomever they want, and make us pay for it. And the sad thing?

We let them do it.

We stopped holding our elected officials accountable a long time ago, and they know it. In our attempts to do more, be more, and have more, we've forgotten that our republic is participatory in nature, meaning we have to take part in the process for it to work properly. The minute we stop participating, something has to fill the void. And that something, boys and girls, is political ego.

But there is some hope left. Republicans voted out their Washington counterparts in the 2006 midterm elections. This may have given us Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid, but that was an example of the people taking back the power they gave up. If the people we elect aren't doing the job, we shouldn't sit on our hands and gripe. We should vote to get better candidates on the ballot, and that goes for Republicans and Democrats. If you're unhappy with your Representative or Senator and he or she is up for reelection, vote them out. If one of your Representatives or Senators is guilty of a crime, support their prosecution and removal from office. We aren't their peons, folks. They work for us and if they can't or won't do the job, I'm sure we can find people who will.

Take back the government of the people, by the people, and for the people!