Good Questions

                The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday is the simple fact that we lose freedom every time our leaders refuse to stand against evil. 

Americans went to the polls in November 2014 in waves and voted for Republicans in an effort to elect people who would stand against Barack Obama and his regime.  I am sad to say that we elected men – and probably women – who do not have spines.  They refuse to fulfill their promises to Americans and leave us with nothing but questions.

                The latest example of leaders without spines is Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) who caved to the demands of Mr. Obama and those who support him.  Mr. Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) talk big, but their actions do not reflect their words.  Mr. McConnell and Mr. Boehner caved on both Obamacare and executive amnesty.

                Jim DeMint, former Senator from South Carolina and current President of the Heritage Foundation, asked some very good questions, questions that deserve straight answers.  “If the Republican majority in both houses of Congress is not willing to take a sand and fight against the government takeover of America’s healthcare system or the president’s arrogant usurpation of the constitutional powers of Congress, then what will they fight for?  Who will stand with freedom-minded Americans who sent this majority to Washington to fight for them?  I hope my former colleagues will ask themselves:  `If not us, who?  If not now, when?’”

                Brian C. Joondeph in an article published at American Thinker, asked some different but just as good questions.  What is different now that Republicans controlling the House and Senate than when Democrats controlled both chambers?  Why should we vote for Republicans if they turn Democrat-lite after the election?

                “Giving into Democrat opposition, as they have done with amnesty, debt ceilings, continuing spending resolutions, and other `line in the sand’ issues leaves voters to scratch their heads, wondering what’s different having Congress under Republican control.

                “The 2016 elections will be pivotal for Republicans, with a chance to win the White House and maintain control of Congress.  Unless they make the case as to why this is important, voters will tune out and stay home, as they did in 2012.  If Republican voters believe, to borrow from Mrs. Clinton, `What difference does it make?’ they will stay home again in 2016.  The Republican Congress, as evidenced by the amnesty capitulation, is doing little to help.”

                The only bits of light I see in our future are the 167 Republicans who voted against funding the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday, March 3, 2015.  Mr. Boehner was forced to make a deal with Democrats in order to pass a nine-month funding bill; the bill passed 257-167, with 182 Democrats and 75 Republicans voting.  The 167 Republicans were protesting the lack of language blocking Mr. Obama’s immigration amnesty.  The rift between Mr. Boehner and the conservative Republicans grew ever wider when the vote was pushed through with Democrat help.

                Will the rebels – at least 50 of them - continue their stand for constitutional principles?  I suppose that only time will tell, but so far, the rebels are still standing firm.  One of the rebel “leaders” seems to be Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.) who voted against the funding of Homeland Security twice:  “Passing bills that do nothing but kick the can down the road is something that has become commonplace in Washington…. I pledge to continue this fight in one week, so we can responsibly fund the Department of Homeland Security without funding the president’s unconstitutional actions.”

                I cannot help but wonder what power Barack Obama has over Mitch McConnell and John Boehner.  Are they part of the “secret combinations” controlling our nation and thus following orders?  Do they have something in their prior history that is being held over their heads?  Is it possible for the rebels in the House to oust Boehner and elect another Speaker?