Political Parties VS. Constitutional Principles

There reaches a point where partisanship reaches the ridiculous. It used to mean something to claim to be a Democrat or a Republican. The average American on the street might be able to state w which party they are affiliated with but will have no real clue what the party itself stands for any more. Are Americans more interested in labels than actual content? Should the government be crippled by a Republican President versus a Democratic House? Doug Giebel a reporter for Counterpunch asks similar questions in his article “A plague on Both your Houses (of Congress)” Giebel gets down to brass tacks when he asks the pointed question, “Did you swear to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States?” The support and defense of The Constitution of the United States and all of its inhabitants, what a novel idea. When and how did things go so off track that the American people are willing to sit back and watch as their political leaders play partisan games of one-upsmanship instead of honoring and defending individual rights? The government of the United Sates of America was set up with a series of checks and balances. This is to protect the rights of the citizens; instead of trying to play the game of politics and furthering the cause of a political group. The point is made that the Democrats are stalling instead of insisting on the appearance of Bush Administration operatives to hearings. The implication being as election times draws nearer it will strengthen the Democratic position to be able to say to the American public, “Look what a Republican President and his administration has done to our country. It is time for a change. Vote for the Democratic nominee.” But what of the opportunities available right now to stop the progression of unconstitutional acts? The most important issue here should be the preservation constitutional rights not the advance of one political party over another. Political parties come and go, but if defended properly our Constitution, nay our rights as US citizens, will continue indefinitely. It is the responsibility of Congress to check the Executive branch when necessary. It is the responsibility of the individual citizens to be informed enough to put into office those who will not put the continuance of their stay in office above the tenants of the constitution.