Legacy Is For Later

After reading Bud Morgan's recent offering regarding a legacy of failure, Thomas Paine's line that "these are the times that try men's souls" comes to mind. He goes on to observe "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered."

The charge that Democrats, despite their inability to overcome a presidential veto, should have taken bold and creative action to block many of the irresponsible acts of the administration is not well founded. After watching the actions of Sen. Mitchell McConnell and the gang in crippling every reasonable legislative program advanced by the Democrats, I think the criticism is unfair.

Nothing short of refusing to advance any legislation would have satisfied, and this would have played into the hands of the administration's contention that such actions would have endanger the troops.
Political suicide is neither bold nor creative.

To expect the Democrats to undo the mischief created by Bush and his government-hating majority in the last seven years, in one short legislative session, is unreasonable. Moreover, the suggestion that we should kick them all out the door does nothing but encourage our home grown, flag-waving band of crackpots with their silly agenda, which will supposedly cure everything from adultery to tooth decay.

What is needed is a renewed effort to provide the Democrats with a sufficient majority in both houses to override a veto and amend some of the crippling procedural rules which provide a single senator the ability to prevent the consideration of any legislation. As said in Macbeth: "Screw your courage to the sticking place and we'll not fail."

Randy Ludacer
Lake Placid