The Greatest Deliberative Joke In The World
By William Bailey (09/09/03)
Anyone who follows the antics (proceedings) of the United States Senate knows that, quite frequently, the members of that body like to refer to themselves as the “greatest deliberative body in the world”. And, there was a time in our history when this was true. Unfortunately, we have long since departed that point.
How can it be “deliberative” when one senator can place a “hold” on a piece of legislation ? How can it be “deliberative” when one Senator can place a “hold” on a presidential nomination ? In short, how can anything be “deliberative” when the ability to deliberate has been removed ? Thus, the “greatest deliberative body in the world” has become the “greatest deliberative joke in the world”. When this happens the function assigned to this part of the Legislative branch has been greatly diminished and the people of the United States have been deprived of full and complete representation as required under the Constitution.
It is well known that a number of the President’s judicial nominees are being “filibustered” by a small group of Senators. (It’s really not a “filibuster”, but it’s serving the same purpose since the leadership of the Majority Party will not require that the requirements of a “true filibuster” be followed). Now, it has been announced that a “hold” has been placed on the President’s nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency by one member of the Senate. Is this due to opposition to the nominee ? According to media coverage, none has been stated. The “hold” has been placed because the junior Senator from New York is unhappy about a report from the EPA dealing with air quality surrounding the events of 9/11. A report that is, in no way, related to the nominee.
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, these actions, on the part of various Senators, clearly enunciate their use of raw, blatant and unabashed power by members of both political parties. And, it is time for it to stop.
Heed the words of a former member of the United States Senate:
“I speak as briefly as possible because too much harm has already been done with irresponsible words of bitterness and selfish political opportunism.” . .
“The United States Senate has long enjoyed worldwide respect as the greatest deliberative body in the world. But recently that deliberative character has too often been debased to the level of a forum of hate and character assassination sheltered by the shield of congressional immunity.” . .
“I think that it is high time for the United States Senate and its members to do some soul searching----for us to weigh our consciences---on the manner in which we are performing our duty to the people of America---on the manner in which we are using or abusing our individual powers and privileges.” . .
“I think that it is high time that we remembered that we have sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution.” . .
“Today our country is being psychologically divided by the confusion and the suspicions that are bred in the United States Senate to spread like cancerous tentacles of ‘know nothing, suspect everything’ attitudes.” . .
“I don’t like the way the Senate has been made a rendezvous for vilification, for selfish political gain at the sacrifice of individual reputations and national unity.” . .
While these words are from another time and were directed toward another issue, they are certainly relevant today in light of the way the “jesters” of the Senate have chosen to conduct themselves.
It is imperative that the American people demand . . . yes, demand . . . that the members of the Federal government, all branches, honor the oath they take and function within and according to the founding document of this nation, the Constitution of the United States. I say “demand” since I believe in the concept of the Founders . . . that government comes from the “consent of the governed”. You know . . . the “We the People” concept.
If we are successful in that effort then, maybe, the United States Senate will return to being the “greatest deliberative body in the world” and cease to be the “greatest deliberative joke” in the world.
The words cited come from a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate, delivered by (then) Senator Maragret Chase Smith (R-ME), on June 1, 1950. The speech was entitled, “A Declaration of Conscience”. The stimulus for the speech came from Senator Smith’s concerns about the way the McCarthy Hearings were being conducted.
If conscience were relevant then, it is surely relevant today, if not more so.
(Printer friendly version) Email: William Bailey
