Lately, the Congress has been working on such pressing issues such as banning gay marriage and prohibiting the art of non-existent flag burning. For the most part, I get a good laugh out of watching Republicans playing to their base, and seeing the 14 Democrats who voted for the flag amendment trying to save their seats in swing states. I do however; upon further reflection, and a couple of glasses of Rose, become not really angry, but rather saddened. It hasn't always been this way, consider the following...
“My anxious recollections, my sympathetic feeling, and my best wishes are irresistibly excited whensoever, in any country, I see an oppressed nation unfurl the banners of freedom.”
--George Washington
“It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
--John Adams
“That these are our grievances which we have thus laid before his majesty, with that freedom of language and sentiment which becomes a free people claiming their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.”
--Thomas Jefferson
“Give me Liberty, or give me death.”
--Patrick Henry
Alas, here is what we get from our statesmen today:
“There are so many women on the floor of Congress, it looks like a mall.”
--Rep. Henry Hyde
"Nothing is more important in the face of war, than cutting taxes.”
--Rep. Denny Hastert
REPORTER: Is the tide turning in Iraq?
DUBYA: I think -- tide turning -- see, as I remember -- I was raised in the desert, but tides kind of -- it's easy to see a tide turn -- did I say those words?
--George W. Bush
"I hope every one of you will tell your parents that John Kerry is a wonderful politician."
--Senator John Kerry
Though not as funny as the others, I think that the Kerry quote sums up what has become of our government. There are very few statesmen left. Sure, we have the occasional Joe Biden or Arlen Specter, but for the most part we are “served” by nothing more than pandering, panhandling politicians. Our leaders have become mere shells of our founding fathers, and although we are still a great country, after 230 years I think that we are beginning to show our age.
And Now…Our Moment of Hinn
“I'm a sample of Jesus. I'm a super being.” --Benny Hinn
2 comments:
The great experiment is coming to a close, my friend. I wish I had been alive to see it before it started winding down. Which would be the pre-FDR days, I'd imagine- the days before the Depression when partisan rancor and pandering was more theory than practice.
At least we still have Benny....
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