Democracy

Today I'm wondering what the Right really feels about democracy. During the previous administration neocons felt democracy so important that defending it by undemocratic means - signing statements, illegal wiretaps, suspension of habeas corpus, clandestine domestic surveillance, outing CIA agents, etc., etc. - was not merely justifiable but honorable.

That, as they say, was then. Now, with a newly-elected president (elected in fact without benefit of any corrupt state election boards or bizarre Supreme Court rulings), they aren't so sure. Aren't so sure? Hell, they're actively agitating for his failure. Arizona and California each bear at least one Baptist minister praying for his (preferably agonizing) demise, Fix Noise (aka ClusterFix) and a variety of Astroturf groups hold bogus rallies whereat to regurgitate the most preposterous lies, and self-anointed "patriots" across the country cheer at any hint of failure as they joyfully denigrate any success.

The health care debate underscores the moral bankruptcy of these people. Something like 70% or more of us want to see major reform, preferably one that includes a government-supported option to ensure that everyone is insured. Yet the wishes of a clear majority are at risk of being thwarted by a few nay-saying Senators who have been bought out by the health insurance industry. Is this democratic? 210,000,000 people losing out to, maybe, 40? We'll take a look at the notion of profit-based health care later, but for now let's just note the cancer perhaps most in need of a cure is that of an unchecked corporate capitalism's voracious consumption of democracy, aided by a few corrupt Congressmen willing to place personal gain ahead of duty and to repeat the same outlandish, tired lies to cover their tracks.

The Right's sole contribution to governance this year has been to say "no" to democracy, "no" to the President, "no" to the people, "no" to progress, "no" to our highest ideals. In a democracy, of course, that is their right. But rights bear responsibilities, and if these frauds can't step up, they really should step aside. Failing that, they deserve to be trampled by the forces they would deny.