Posted by
peripheral on Friday, August 14, 2009 9:39:05 AM
From My Perspective - - -
The House of Representatives – what does it represent; who does it
represent. You elect these people by actively voting for them, or
passively by your failure to vote. In some instances, it appears there
are self-interested, dysfunctional demagogues who following a party
line. Two-thirds of the Congress are not even taking time to visit
their Districts or State during their recess, or show interest by
speaking to those whom they represent. Linking some of them to the
adjective “audacious” might actually denigrate the meaning and value of
the word. Some of the definition of Audacious is: “…without restriction
to prior ideas; recklessly bold in defiance of convention, propriety,
law, or the like; insolent; brazen…”
There is a line that separates one being audacious and being stupid.
There have been several instances of confusing behavior and signals
that are sent: A suspicious Flyover of New York City to get pictures
for White House Distribution (without any forethought of the panic it
might cause after the 9-11 incidents); the chastising of the Automotive
CEOs for coming to Congressional Hearings and flying in Corporate Jets,
and now the Congress attempting to order similar planes to satisfy
their travel needs/wants; the President and his wife flying into New
York City for a “Date Night” at a time when Government Deficits are
soaring, and the Citizenry has been enduring foreclosures, investment
losses, and rising unemployment; and then a current example is an
incident that occurred at a recent Town Hall Meeting in Texas. An
August 13th report reads: “Sheila Jackson Lee…at a time when the
Democrats are really fighting a disastrous PR image because of the Town
Hall response to Healthcare Reform…decided to hold a town hall meeting
in her district…But during her Town Hall Meeting a woman stands up and
starts to explain why she is opposed to the Democrat healthcare plan.
While the woman is speaking, Sheila Jackson Lee…answers her cell phone
(and carries on a conversation)…while a constituent is speaking during
this Town Hall” At the minimum, it is inconsiderate and/or rude - -At
the maximum, it is a combination of audaciousness, arrogance and
stupidity.
On the website, Reasoned Audacity (http://www.charmaineyoest.com) August 11th, the topic was: TWO KEYS WORDS IN LEGISLATIVE WRITING: SHALL & MAY.
The thoughts are how the Congress, when drafting a Bill, makes
extensive use of the words “may and/or shall”! The ideas shared are by
Gary Bauer as he references "Obama's Death Panel"! He writes: “Sarah
Palin is making headlines again, this time by expressing her views on
the national debate over healthcare reform. In a Facebook blog entry,
Palin wrote, ‘The America I know and love is not one in which my
parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of
Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a
subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,'
whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright
evil.’ I think it's clear where she stands!” Washington Post columnist
Charles Lane explored the legislation at the root of this particularly
controversial aspect of healthcare reform -- Section 1233 on
end-of-life decisions. Here are some excerpts of his column: "...at
least as I read it, Section 1233 is not totally innocuous…(it)
addresses compassionate goals in disconcerting proximity to fiscal
ones…If it's all about obviating suffering, emotional or physical, what
it’s doing in a measure is to bend the curve on health-care costs…the
[end-of-life] consultations envisioned…aren't quite purely
voluntary…Section 1233…lets doctors initiate the chat and gives them an
incentive - money - to do so… that's an incentive to insist…Section
1233 dictates, at some length, the content of the consultation. The
doctor 'SHALL' discuss
advanced care planning, including key questions and considerations,
important steps, and suggested people to talk to…and a list of national
and State-specific resources to assist consumers and their families.”
Psalm 12:1-4 alludes to the issue of arrogance and audacity: “Help,
Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among
men…May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue
that says, We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips--who is
our master?" Man may boast but the Lord will have the last say. The
Godly and Righteous need to be assertive in our culture. You can and
must try to make a difference. Consider these things with me.