Denise Lite makes an excellent point in her March 14 column, “Congress Votes for Self-Serving Secrecy.” She states, “In a decisive 357-65 vote (they) chose to keep taxpayer-funded sexual assault settlements involving members of Congress secret.” It is appalling that even one person could vote for this self-serving resolution. Sadly, it is but the latest example of our elected leaders in Washington exercising their power to place themselves above We the American People who they are supposed to represent and serve. Let me highlight a few others that come to mind.
Government shutdowns: Our government officials have proven to be incapable of keeping the country running for more than a few months at a time. This results in hundreds of thousands of government employees going without pay for weeks at a time. (My understanding is they do eventually get paid, retroactively.) We need a policy wherein all members of Congress and senior administration officials cease to be paid during government shutdowns as well, but with the stipulation that those officials who implement the shutdown will NOT receive their pay retroactively.
Campaign finance: Both Citizens United and political action committees are designed to give undue influence in the election process to corporations and the ultra-wealthy. The vast majority of Americans simply do not have the financial resources to be heard at the same level. And the cost to run an election campaign has become exorbitant. We need to seriously reform our campaign finance laws to make them fair and equitable to all Americans.
Declaration of war: The last time Congress actually declared war was when the United States entered World War II in December 1941, although we have been directly involved in many wars and military actions since then. This includes Korea, Vietnam, the first Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Iran. Tens of thousands of young American lives have been sacrificed in these actions. Hundreds of thousands more have been physically and emotionally injured, disfigured and permanently scarred. Although the general military draft was ended in 1972, we need to reinstate a partial draft that would impact the relatives of those who put our young men and women in armed conflict. First, Congress needs to reclaim its Article One power to declare war. Second, whenever the United States enters a war, whether by an act of congress or a presidential directive, a limited draft should be enacted. It would apply to all military-age family members of both houses of Congress and senior administration officials effective immediately. Upon completion of required training, they would be deployed to the combat zone. Length of service would be until the end of the conflict or two years, whichever is longer.
Gerrymandering: We’ve struggled with this anti-democratic abomination for decades. It only serves incumbents and the two political parties; it further divides the country and pushes voters into the extremes. It must be banned nationwide.
These are just some of the most serious ways in which elected officials in Washington have put themselves above We the People, their constituents. There are many others. The responsibility for this dysfunction falls with many, if not most, of our elected officials. It applies to Democrats and Republicans. And, although the issues would be different, it occurs in Sacramento as well as in Washington. In short, those who make the laws should feel the same impact as those of us who must obey them.
We are about to celebrate our 250th birthday. Isn’t it time for us to return to a government that truly is of, by and for the people?
Jack Crawford
Saugus
