Penny Thoughts: A Perspective of Election 2020

Penny Thoughts: A Perspective of  Election 2020

Reading through the Democratic Party’s Platform for 2020 reveals that there are some rather eye-opening “planks” which will be exercised on the American governmental structure and practice of doing business at the Federal Legislative level. The following is a listing of those plans.

• If the Democrats win the Senate, the filibuster will be done away with.
• If the House is retained by the Democrats, more impeachment attempts against President Trump will take place.
• The Democratic controlled Senate will usher in Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and Guam gaining Statehood, all of which are Democratic Party strongholds.
• A Democratic controlled Senate will seek to amend the Constitution to eliminate the Electoral College.
• The indoctrination of “Critical Race Theory” being a mandated form of required seminars in Federal offices will continue.
• If the Democrats win the Senate and hold the House, those States and cities which had destructive riots and refused Federal aid to stop them will be given grants from our Federal Tax dollars; thus, we here in Alabama will pay for the neglect or the inaction of New York City, as well as the States of Washington, Oregon, California, Michigan, and Minnesota to cite a few.

It is important to keep in mind that the Framers of our Constitution were morbidly fearful of ANY types of tyranny.  Whether it be from an overly imperious executive or an oppressive Congress, they did not want a Nation which became the subject of arbitrary and imperious actions. Thus, they built in many safeguards and “checks and balances”, which most citizens are innately aware of even if they cannot specifically cite them.

Above all, the framers wanted to preserve the sovereignty of each individual State. Between fear of over-bearing authority and State sovereignty, the Framers established the Electoral College and election of Senators by State Legislatures. Article I, Section 3 states, “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof for six years.” It was felt that the States would feel more tied to the national government with this structure.

Unfortunately, in their first move to diminish sovereignty of States, the “Progressives” through the force of Progressive President Woodrow Wilson, the 17th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified in 1913. The ramifications of that amendment are fodder for another column but, suffice it to say, the 17th Amendment began the slow decline of the sovereignty of the States.

Fortunately, the Electoral College has remained intact and what most people do not realize is that it is the Electoral College which chooses the President, not the popular vote. The Democratic Platform seeks to abolish it.

More interesting is the history of the filibuster, the ability to extend discussion on a bill in hopes that it can be defeated through attrition. The filibuster began roughly in the mid-1800’s. It has been used to delay or defeat bills to do with such procedures as civil rights. A filibuster can be defeated by Rule 22 called “cloture”. Under it, the Senate can limit debate on a bill or other matters to 30 hours. Still, it has been a procedure which has allowed both productive and non-productive legislation. It has become a vital part of Senate procedures and should be preserved.

While the Electoral College and the filibuster head a list of plans the Democrats have in mind, the others, more impeachment attempts, admission of territories as States, paying the bills of the States which hosted riots yet refused Federal assistance, the continuation with teaching Critical Race Theory, comprise the scheme the Democrats’ socialist agenda.

Nevertheless, there are two more historical effects this election will produce: 1) the appointment of at least one Supreme Court Justice; 2) the Article V Constitution of States provided for amending the Constitution.

The first is framed by the obvious intention of Democrats to use the Court System as an extension of the legislative process; thus, if the Democrats win the White House there will be a very liberal justice appointed to the Supreme Court. This will change the landscape of American political and jurisprudential actions for decades to come.

Those of us who lament the lingering “Swamp” in D.C. realize that such a hideous and vicious cadre of self-serving hypocrites could not have metastasized if there had been term limitations on Congress. The President is limited to two terms, but that was because FDR was elected to four terms and the Republicans at the time were frightened at the prospect of any other person being elected for such a time frame. But they did not limit themselves. 

Presently, there is a national organization called the “Convention of States”. It has been working to garner the 34 state legislatures required to call such a convention. Presently, 15 States have approved it, including our Alabama. If the Democrats win the Senate and retain the House with their views, the Convention of States effort will be quashed and it will be a very long time before we will have another opportunity to truly drain the “Swamp”.

I am no Republican. They have been just as guilty in the development and maintenance of the “Swamp” as the Democrats. I am a Libertarian, more specifically a Constitutional Libertarian. My position here has been prompted by the deceit and the concerted efforts by those in the Democratic Party to move America closer to a socialist operation with tyrannical executives, primarily in bureaucratic positions being given the authority to limit our liberties as has never been before. I labored through their lengthy platform statement. It is all there in print.

At the risk of sounding dramatic, this is the most important election in the history of America.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of The West Alabama Watchman.