Ignoring The Will Of The People: The Waning Days Of The 111th Congress

In a recent editorial, David Kupelian discusses what that radical left is attempting to do in the waning days of the 111th Congress.  They are attempting to shove legislation down the throats of the very people who repudiated them in November.  The DREAM Act, potential tax hikes on businesses and individuals, a new arms treaty with Russia (new START), and finally, the most controversial one, the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."

While I am certainly all for someone having whatever lifestyle choice they want, and having the profession that they want, the idea of homosexuals serving openly in the military seems to me to be bad practice.  When asked, the men and women serving us stated that they didn't want to know if someone was openly gay or lesbian.  Some may say that being homosexual is against good order and discipline.  I'm not going to try to argue that point.  Others say that homosexuals ought to be allowed to live their lives the same way as straight people do.  There's a point there, too.  Gays and straights both have the right and the responsibility to serve in the military.  However, when the military states overwhelmingly that they don't want to know that their compatriot is homosexual, does our government have the right to force that on them?

I say no.  This is a much larger decision.  We need a strong, united military more than ever right now.  Having people dropping out hand-over-fist is not good.  Keeping "don't ask, don't tell" in place makes sense.  I also think that this monumental of a decision should be put off until the next Congress convenes.

The whole debate brings up a larger point.  Should so-called "lame-duck" Congresses be allowed to work on and pass monumental legislation.  To me, the answer is not black and white.  I would say that one would have to look at the composition of the Congress pre-election and then examine it post-election.  If post-election the composition did not change significantly, then the Congress should proceed as normal.  If the composition changed significantly, then the Congress should address those bills that are deemed absolutely necessary to keep government functioning and to prevent further harm to the country.  The tax-hike bill would be an example of this type of legislation.

The current Congress needs to stop what they are doing and remember what the people said in November.  We have spoken, we screamed at you.  We don't want your liberal, socialist agenda.  Stop the madness.