BETRAYAL

In 2010 the electorate for the most part was seeking citizen legislators, not politicians.  Legislators who would work for what they said they believed:  limited, accountable government.  The record after two years is disappointing.

Never to see the light of day were a number of bills the Republican majority in the House of Representatives passed, only to languish in the Democratic-controlled Senate.  When it counted most though our hopes were dashed as political expediency once again prevailed.

Each bill offers up crumbs to be brought home and held up proudly as evidence of positive representation and service to the constituency.   The bad things they say “would have been worse had we not been there to moderate the effects.”

An example is the recently passed highway bill, known as HR 4348, “To provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund pending enactment of a multiyear law reauthorizing such programs, and for other purposes.”

What they said they would do:

We will end the practice of packaging unpopular bills with “must-pass” legislation.  We will advance major legislation one issue at a time.

What they did:

The 27-month transportation bill includes a 5-year flood insurance extension and a one year extension of subsidized student loans.

What they said they would do:

“Read the bill” and post legislation for 72 hours prior to a vote?

What they did:

Indicating a lack of resolve, significant bills are routinely passed just as members are leaving town.  With over 1300 pages, reading is unlikely and posting for 72 hours is impossible.

What they said they would do:

            Reduce the deficit and pay-as-you go.

What they did:

The bill pays for 27 months of road funding with ten years of budget savings and revenue measures which include dipping into the general fund and exposing taxpayers to liability for under-funded pension plans.  In another two years, this process will be repeated to continue funding the Highway Transportation Fund.

What they said they would do:

            Work toward reducing the size and scope of government.

What they did:

By reauthorizing subsidized student loans, the day of any reductions in government over-reach is postponed.

The first steps toward limited government may be the most difficult, but if you don’t take them you will never get there.  Fifty-two Republicans took those first steps by voting “no” on this extravagant bill.

It’s not always an easy task to stand firmly on principles.  There are times when you will stand alone and times when you will fail.  I am human therefore I know I will fail and when I do, I hope I will learn from my mistake and do better the next time.  What I hope I will not do is convince myself that what I did was right; for it is then that I lose everything and the ground beneath me slides into the abyss.