Posted on 12/11/2014 4:56:48 PM PST by xzins
The only ethical response to betrayal by one's own leader is to find a new leader.
There have been famous betrayals, but for America one stands out. Benedict Arnold was a general in the American Revolution. Thousands of officers and enlisted followed him, obeyed him, attended to his every word. That was prior to September 21, 1780 and his plot with the British to turn over the critically strategic ground of West Point to the British in exchange for money and position. After his betrayal of his country, it would have been a strange thing indeed to have found his troops arguing that they still owed Arnold that same loyalty as they had before. After all, his own actions had violated the trust they had placed in him.
During the Speakership of Dennis Hastert (Republican, Illinois) Hastert verbalized the idea that a speaker who relied on the minority party to pass a bill was violating the trust of his fellow majority members. Hastert said that it was not his job to push legislation that had been rejected by most of those who had elected him to the office of Speaker of the House. The unofficial rule is that a majority of the majority party must support a bill before it is brought to a vote. Otherwise, a Speaker is using cronies to permit the minority party to rule the House of Representatives.
During his time as Speaker, John Boehner has violated the Hastert Rule six times, and even though Boehner himself once rejected the idea of passing bills with minority party votes, he has used this method of passing spending bills that would have been rejected by his own supporters.
Boehner's most famous betrayal was last February 2014 when he had support from only a mere TWENTY-EIGHT Republican representatives but still put a so-called 'clean debt ceiling' bill up for vote. That bill passed by a vote of 221-201, overwhelmingly democratic. Boehner had obviously betrayed the trust of his supporters while heeding the voices of 28 cronies against the vast majority of his own people.
Much was made this past election about those who were shunned in their House races for election when they suggested that they might not support Boehner for Speaker in the new Congress that takes power in January 2015. Marilinda Garcia had funds withheld by the Republican Campaign Committee when she hinted that she would not support Boehner for Speaker. http://www.redstate.com/2014/10/06/nrcc-withholds-funds-after-marilinda-garcia-nh-02-says-she-may-not-vote-for-boehner/
At best, this is a new member of the Republican House being told that loyalty is expected of its members. At worst, it is campaign extortion. In either case, however, there is the message being sent from the Speaker that support should be forthcoming from the membership toward the leadership.
But support is a two way street.
Arnold expected support from his troops. He was their general. He had been victorious in battle, had suffered hardship alongside them, and had even shared the danger of the heat of battle. In many ways he had earned their respect and their support.
But his betrayal canceled all that. He went over to the other side. He put his own troops at grave risk. He is justly condemned by history. His name has become a byword for traitor.
A leader who turns to his enemy to win a victory for the enemy over his own troops and their interests is rightly called a "Benedict Arnold."
Speaker Boehner has willingly betrayed his own troops in the past. If he does so in this matter of a funding bill that permits our lawless President to pay for illegal immigrants to receive status and benefits, then Boehner has betrayed not just his own caucus, but he has betrayed the huge majority of voters who chose republicans this past November to stop amnesty, to stop ObamaCare, to stop out-of-control spending, and to stop a chaotic foreign policy.
Boehner will steal one entire year of power from the Congress that has not yet taken office, for their power of funding will be neutered until September of 2015. He will betray the support his own people have shown him by siding with the enemy.
He will also violate the terms of his understanding with those who were to support him for Speaker. They give loyalty in return for loyalty. They give support in return for support. They will have been betrayed.
There will be zero reason to continue him as Speaker of the House. The only ethical response to betrayal by one's own leader is to find a new leader.
I hate to say it, but when the time comes, you'll know what to do.
Prayers are up. I can’t imagine what you and your family have been going through. Keep the faith.
Actually my granddaughter has been stealing my time. :-)
I would love for that sorry ass clown to be replaced. He’s done more to hurt the republican party than anyone in Washington.
They could pick another speaker for any reason. But they don’t. And here’s why: they’re in agreement. He does and continues to do what the majority of republicans in the house want him to do.
“But the fact that not a single House Republican has made the slightest effort to challenge John Boehner for the Speakership makes it appear that the House Republicans are, in fact, a group of frauds and traitors to their own constituents.”
Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.
All 3 of those guys are wearing makeup and 2 are drunks and the 3rd a drug addict.
Any congress critter who even HINTS at a vote will lose his committee assignments, and his power.
OTOH, any wavering congress critter willing to change his vote to support Boehner in a pinch will be handsomely rewarded.
Since Boehner is operating under blackmail control, we can only expect the worst from him.
And he can’t be replaced short of an asteroid landing on him.
Received the article from WND in an e-mail with a subheading
“This time, it’s the United Nations picking who gets to come — and Christians fleeing Islamic violence need not apply”
My mother’s best friends family came from Syria. They are Christian. I wonder if she could do anything for them.
_________________
Has your Mother seen this one minute video? Liena’s Prayer http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=WPLY6GNX
Indeed and I hope they do
Just sayin'....
High praise, and I agree. Exceedingly well written. You should submit this to some of the well known political sites, it's that good. IMO.
thank you!
Boehner was already reelected as Republican nominee for Speaker without opposition.
Remember 2 years ago? No challenge then either, not happening.
Excellent editorial. Wish the Pubbies had the spines to act on it.
They can do that. They steal hearts, time, money, dignity, and when it’s all said and done we’ve got this big _hit-eating grin on our faces. LIS (laughing inside)
The only 2 peaceful choices for someone who actually wants to do something is to (1) overthrow the Republican party, or (2) join or start a 3rd party that actually is trying to win. (That cancels the Constitution Party whose contribution in Ohio in 2012 was to invite us to a dinner party. I was so disappointed in them.)
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