setting a good example.....

Life skills, a good work ethic, and good manners were tops in my parents teachings... and I think they did a pretty good job, now that I look back. They were grooming us to be responsible adults, as this was the most important lesson they could give us before we all flew the coop. We were taught to respect authority, lend a helping hand to neighbors, and emphasize with those less fortunate. They had no worries we would get into trouble in public, as that was just not tolerated. We were told that nobody liked brats, so we did our best not to be labeled as such, and we were fortunate for that foundation that my parents found so important in our upbringing.

In respecting authority, we were made to believe that there were rules you lived by... most of them moral, and ones that eased society to trust you. Out of respect, we learned to trust, and vice versa. It's not to say that we became "stepford children", only that respect, trust and honor are important qualities of character. With them, you set a good example, without them, you are nothing more than a common coward.

We've come to a crossroad in our judicial system that brings up the question of trust... that being the issue of whether it is illegal to wiretap conversations. We all want to trust the government to know what's best for us, the rules of the Constitution dictate that, and it's an oath that every person who enters a high level position must swear to. Lately, I'm not too sure that these people we put into position are reading the same document that we are. If they are, is it being interpreting to serve their own agenda? .... a question conspirators could write books about with our present administration.

Personally, I could care less if I were wiretapped or not. The best they could come away with is a few recipes, gardening tips, or how busy I am. But, I'm not the point. The point is the document that put this country together, our Constitution. How are we honoring are basic beliefs in a system, and cajoling other countries to the democratic process if we allow a few good old boys to circumvent the system without a proper vote from the American public.

If we want to change the Constitution, we have the ability. That was part of all the checks and balances that were put together in the first place. We have 27 amendments as proof of that. I'm not saying we should or shouldn't, it's just that the possibility exists, and the right channels are in order to do it properly. A President and his administration cannot act without it, according to our system. Last I knew, the United States wasn't considered to have a dictatorship rule, and the current administration is beginning to make me feel like it just might be.

I'm not any happier knowing that there are ten dirty bombs missing in the stockpile of dirty bombs they have inventoried, and I'm still a chicken to fly after 9/11. I wouldn't mind ridding the earth of vermin who terrorize and torture, and see some of the reasoning behind the wiretapping. But I'm not in charge, and if I were, I'd still have to follow the rules of engagement.... that's the way the democratic process works. However, we need to do it in a way that does not ally our fears, but works for the common good now as well as for the future generations behind us.

We were shaken after the events in 2001, the London, Madrid, and Bali bombings, along with countless other acts of terrorism we haven't even experienced yet. It would be nice to know where these cowards are hiding, as we all fear for our safety. After all, most people who were personally affected by these horrible acts, were just minding their own business when encountering the attacks. They were not in an official war zone, so this leads you to think that you are not safe anywhere.
That said, I feel like the current administration is using those fears to put forth an agenda that will set precedence into opening up a can of smelly worms. After reading Saurkrauts blog and taking my time to really think it over (along with discussions with many people over the subject), I came to the conclusion that we are not always smart in our voting. We have voted in idiots before, and currently we have an administration we're not too trusting with. What if somewhere down the line we elected in someone worse? What's to say they couldn't interpret the law to fit their own benefits. I think that idea scares me more.

We live in a world where we feel our trust has been betrayed; not that this isn't the first time. We need our government to show us true leadership, and something to believe in again. We are a good and decent people, and we need to show our country that we have strength in numbers. Above all, we shouldn't be enlightened enough to know how dumb we are, as it is our duty to keep all the checks and balances in order. After all, WE are our government, and it's time we realized that there is power in voting. (My suggestion as far as the voting process goes would be to rid the electoral college, and go for the highest number.... but that's another post.)

What makes our country great is the freedom to discuss these issues without fear of landing in jail as a "political" prisoner. We are fortunate for the first amendment where that is concerned. We are also fortunate that we live in a country that is not ruled by dictatorship.... but if we aren't careful in our discussions of issues, and allow the fears of a shaky administration to dictate our laws and thinking, it is only a matter of time that the building blocks of our government will crack. There is power in voting, and it's not just a privilege or a right, it is a duty.