Access To Democracy

TOM EMMER…I haven’t met Tom Emmer, although we have extended an invitation for him to appear on “Access,” but a quote of his sticks in my craw, particularly on this Independence Day in the greatest nation in the world.  Emmer, the GOP gubernatorial candidate in Minnesota, who not only seeks to succeed Tim Pawlenty, but who will tell anyone what a great job he did, is known for shooting from the lip.

We are still fighting two wars (let’s not get into the lack of wisdom for Iraq), one of which has been going on for nine years, our military — the finest, bravest and generally youngest — are fighting and dying, and as I write this somewhere in this nation two soldiers are knocking on a front door to tell parents that their child will never come home.  Yet Emmer had the temerity to state, a few months back, “You can’t be a Democrat and love freedom.”  Discounting tens of thousands who have fought and died for this country, been wounded, seek political office to make things better for all Americans, who have read the Constitution and Bill of Rights and know what it stands for.

Buzz!  A bell just went off!  Disqualification for crassness and stupidity.

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FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE…In a time when too much information is withheld by our political candidates, you are left to wonder why Matt Entenza and Tim Emmer (and possibly Tom Horner) chose not to make financial disclosure of last year’s tax returns.  The people are entitled to know the who, what, where, and why of the finances of the people who seek to lead them.  What, if any, influences affect their personal income.  If Mark Dayton can come forward, and Margaret Kelliher willing to join, it should be a matter of course.  Or, in the negative, a personal failing.

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I got a letter from Newt Gingrich (where was he possibly misled into thinking there is something I agree with him about) in which he’s “been told that you are an American who agrees with me that God should not be driven from the public square.”  Actually, there’s some truth there…God should not be driven because God should not be there in the first place!

Newt (preaches God but tells his cancer stricken former wife that he’s leaving her for another woman) claims the ACLU and “left-wing judges have been outlawing God in our culture.”  Wrong again, oh pious and holy one!  No one outlaws one’s God — just recognize the separation of church and state in the Constitution that you right-wingers are forever quoting.  In this massive 7-page epistle, Newt digs down to spew all the prejudices that have driven a wedge into the political fabric of this nation, and ends up requesting $35 for his DVD.

Newt, don’t hold your breath!

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APOLOGIES…are meaningless unless there is a shred of sincerity to accompany them.  Over the past several years we have endured dozens of insincere apologies from people who have been caught with their hand in the cookie jar, or who have embarasses their associates, familes, businesses, etc.  Thus, the CEO of BP expressed regrets for the worst environmental disaster on record, Rep. Joe Baron and countless other legislators for their intemperate remarks about the President or opponents, Gen. MyCrystal as well, and on and on.  Apologies without any remorse, offered in a monotone demanded by ones peers or superiors (or in BP’s case, “to the little people), are no more than an insult to the intelligence, meaningless and offensive.  They don’t make everything go away;  it’s not all better now that it’s off your chest.

But then again, there are the Rush Limbagh’s of the world who are incapable of even that.                  

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