Gerald Sieb wrote in a June 17th wall Street Journal Article; "How can a record percentage of Americans say they disapprove of the job the Democratic-controlled Congress is doing -- yet at the same time say, also by a record margin, they want this year's election to produce another Democratic-controlled Congress?" From 2001 thru 2007, a Republican President and a Republican controlled Congress; wasted taxpayer money on earmarks, entitlements and otherwise damaged the economic future of the United States. They arrogantly abused power and extended the reach of government intrusion into the lives of the average American. So the people elected a Democratic Congress.

Last week former Texas senator Phil Gramm writing in the same paper said, "They didn't live up to what they promised to do. Power corrupted them. They spent lots of money and tried to buy votes. Republicans concluded that they could make voters love them by governing the way Democrats did." The moral of the story is that the Presidency of Ronald Reagan, followed by the  Contract with America that elected a Republican Congress, offered hope of returning America to the Average American. This session some of the remnants of the Republican Party in Congress joined the Democratic majority to push for the tax and spend agenda, while ignoring citizens who aren't part of the special interest constituency.

We have a look at the future by reviewing the Democratic agenda based on their performance after taking power in 2006. The arrogance of the Democratic Leadership is truly remarkable. The Speaker takes it upon herself to table a treaty with reliable Columbia, one of our few allies in Latin America. She won't even let it come up for a vote. The Senator who chairs the Banking committee gets a sweetheart deal on his mortgage from the scandal ridden Countrywide Mortgage. He and his colleagues stubbornly insists on bailing them out, giving more power to the other big quasi-public mortgage players who contribute heavily to the Democrats in Congress. The Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, gave Billions in subsidies to agricultural interests while food costs skyrocket along with oil prices, also influenced by their bad policies. Their hypocrisy is highlighted by the fact that Federal, State and Local governments make more money on a gallon of gas than any oil company.

The Democratic leadership is poised for victory. They are so confident they are even disrespecting their core constituency, African-Americans, in Washington, DC. The majority of DC residents, who can't afford private schools, want Public School Vouchers and choice. However the political leadership of the Democratic Party says NO. We all know why. The Teacher Unions and other Public Employee Unions will contribute an estimated $50 million plus to the campaign this fall. Also, many union people will "volunteer" for the campaign being paid by many who are forced to pay dues. The result may be that the Democrats most loyal constituents may face a form of economic slavery by limiting their school choice. Oh well, any war for power is bound to have collateral damage.

A perfect storm is now upon the American people. Big government advocates are poised to control all three branches of government. The result will be more spending and yet more complex Tax Code tinkering so the special interests can take more from the average taxpayer and keep more for them. One of the first items on their agenda after their anticipated victory in the fall is to reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine for the media to suppress dissent. They feel their party and their presidential candidate are going to win, and Lord Acton's famous quote is poised to be proven once again. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely."  

Congress has an approval rate of 12%. The Military and Small Business have approval rates of 71% and 60% respectively. But arrogant hypocrites on Capitol Hill have their daily news conferences condemning most things American, and promising to micromanage the Military, Small Business and anything else they haven't already messed up. I am reminded of what was said at the McCarthy hearings in the early fifties. The Counsel for the Army Joseph Welch, responding to Senator McCarthy at his hearings in the early fifties, Welch said, "Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?" It is no wonder the Silent Majority is feeling the weight of impending doom. There is a disconnect between our government and "The People." We need more Constitutional protection. Since Congress won't reform itself, we need a Constitutional Convention to give us a 21st Century Bill of Rights!

The Twenty-first Century Bill of rights should include at least three clauses:

1) There should be term limits for Senators and U.S. Representatives. There should be a mandatory retirement age for Federal Judges.

2) Amend the 16th Amendment and state that all income taxes must be on a flat rate percentage with only exclusions allowed for individuals, families including children and the elderly. Absolutely no deductions allowed! Lobbyists on Capital Hill with see a substantial increase in unemployment. A good thing!

3) Enact a Balance Budget Amendment only to be exempted in times of Declared War or other defined National Emergencies and decided on by a Two-thirds majority in the House and Senate. Fund all mandated expenses or entitlements directly so Congress can't spend other entities money without being accountable. Most important of all, publish all expenditures, not budgeted items, for every Branch of Government. The focus has to shift from promising to spend more of our own money for our benefit to being more accountable for the Trillions they are already spending.