By Mark David Blum, Esq.

On the steps of the Capital in Washington D.C. just prior to the opening of the 104th Congress, Newt Gingrich as Speaker of the House, stood amongst a crowd of Republicans who had just taken the majority in the House and proclaimed the beginning of the Republican era. From then until today, election after election has been turned in favor of Republicans until we are where we are now with that Party holding dominion and control over all branches of government at the State and National levels.

Mr. Gingrich brought forward his proclamation of the Republican Contract with America. If I were a prosecutor, that party could easily be prosecuted for fraud, breach of contract, and misrepresentation. Eighteen promises were made and eighteen promises were broken. The only question is whether it was intentional that Republicans would make grandiose promises and then quietly do the exact opposite.

Added to that would be the ultimate crime against the state for any politician or political party: Cowardice. Republicans are afraid and have used their own fears to attack Americans. They see threats from anybody who is not like them. Republicans fear gays, they fear Mexicans, they fear the hijab, and they fear Atheism. When our nation is attacked, they so shook with panic, that they slammed the borders, attacked everybody, shut up all criticism, and built an impenetrable wall around their political agenda. They lied, cajoled, and spun everything they could to bring the People into their fear. Weapons of Mass Destruction, smoking guns and mushroom clouds, and grave and gathering threats were all used to gather 300,000,000 souls to act as cannon fodder and human shields to keep them safe.

If Republicans are guilty of any crime, it is the crime of being cowards. They have betrayed the American spirit and abandoned the Constitution and Her founding principles.

Not all Republicans are lying conniving cowards. Some of my dearest friends are Republicans. I have known and associated with Republicans most of my adult life. Heck, I even voted for Ronald Reagan --- twice and stand by those votes today. I have come to know Republicans (and their country cousins, the ‘neo cons’) quite intimately as time has passed. The conclusion I draw is that Republicans really are good people at heart. Generally, they love their families, pay their taxes, care about their community, and treat people with honor and respect. I am proud to call Republicans as being among my friends. Deep down inside me, I know they are wonderful people.

But, something is very wrong with their political party. Being a Republican used to mean the party of lower taxes, smaller government, the party of Lincoln and equality, libertarian values of privacy and ‘don’t tread on me’, strength in spirit and conviction, and morally conscious people.

In the Republican now broken Contract, Americans were promised efficiency, reduced costs, a strong well-defended nation, an honorable judiciary, and more freedom. Whether you agreed or not, this was the promise made to the People of the United States. During the elections of 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004, more and more Americans were convinced to buy into the Republican pledges. Unlike the ‘stoned slackers’ the rest of us are, Republicans have been busy little bees.

Yet, the party that promised us a smaller government built the largest government agency in U.S. history; the Department of Homeland Security. There are at least 61,000 more federal employees in the service of the federal taxpayer than during the Clinton Administration. Though there is dispute, Republicans lay claim to having cut our taxes but in doing so, they drove up our State and local taxes beyond our ability to cope. Instead of creating an economy where pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is encouraged and supported, the Republican agenda has served a crushing blow to our labor force; throwing millions out of work and forcing millions more into menial labor just to survive.

The party of fiscal responsibility inherited a $3 Billion surplus and in less than 6 years, gave us an $8.5 Trillion debt. Interest rates are slowly rising, bankruptcies are at record highs, and the stock market is just now, after six years, approaching where it was the day before Bush took office. But for the prison industry and those already with accumulated wealth, the entire American economy is failing. Only oil and medical profits are keeping our GDP from being off the charts in the red.

The party of a strong military and defense has cut veterans benefits and provided insufficient materials and manpower to execute a war. It was on Mr. Bush’s watch that 9/11 happened. It was at Bush’s desk where the passed buck on the CIA failures, the FBI failures, and the NSA failures has to stop. Our current foreign policy has isolated us from our allies, made us the scorn of world opinion, and has recruited more terrorists who hate America than in all of history. We are torturing, rendering, and committing human rights abuses on a scale unimaginable. Almost a million people are dead in Iraq since the invasion; including more Americans killed there by our President than Osama Bin Ladin killed in the United States. North Korea went nuclear on the Republican watch. Iran is next and half the Middle East today is reported as planning to build up nuclear arsenals.

Say “thanks” to the nearest Republican. This is not a safer world for Americans. We are scorned everywhere. Legitimacy and credibility have been given to terrorist states because we have shown ourselves to be no better than the criminals we abhor.

Republicans have proven themselves the party of hypocrisy. They have spoken highly of morality in society and have thrown at us a former President’s marital indiscretions. Republicans tend to get visibly ill at the mention of President Clinton for that reason. On that platform and plank did they build their claims of morality and being the party of honor and trust. Now that they have had the chance to show themselves, we see the truth; and that is that Republicans are the party led by drug addicts, pedophiles, hypocritical religious fanatics, and corrupt felons. Alas to be once again arguing over ejaculate stains on a dress instead of blood stained Iraqi streets.

Republicans have also shown themselves as being the party of fear. No, I do not speak of how they work feverishly to create fear here at home among our people. Instead I speak of the fear that Republicans have of the world. They seem to be afraid of everyone. Republicans want to slam shut our borders, strip-search old ladies at airports, send the marines to pre-emptively attack nations who pose no threat, restrict our movement, gather us all in one giant database, search our financial records, tap and record our telephone calls, read our mail, intercept our emails, expand police powers, hold people without lawyer or trial, and pretty much do whatever it takes to have control over people.

I do not understand this fear. Yes, we were attacked on 9/11. But be honest: Though tragic, that attack never posed a threat to our nation or our government. The number of people killed was less than 1/10 of 1 percent of the population of our nation. Our government was intact and was never at risk. Republican fear prevents them from standing tall and bravely facing the real causes and threats to our nation. Instead, they shock and awe the weak and unliked as a form of straw man to beat up and pretend they are being brave.

Republicans have also divided this nation like never before. They have split us between blue states and red states, neighbor against neighbor, Christian against everybody, race against race, man against woman, and rich against poor. We are none of that. We are one nation, INDIVISIBLE. We are one People with one strong and resilient voice.

Republican theory was given a free ride over this nation for more than a decade. They have failed to prove themselves to be trustworthy with our economy or the lives of our citizens. While they have made massive strives in shutting down dissent and limiting personal freedom and choice, Republicans have failed at every other advertised issue in their platform.

The time has come to vote against the Republicans. Do not do so because they are evil people. Do so because whatever it is about their ideology and politics, it does not mesh well with America or what the American people wish for their future and the future of their children. Simply put: Republicans need to change their thinking before they can ask that the People again stand with them. Until they do, we must let them go.

If you insist on standing with Republicans, let me show you what your nation looks like today:

Ours is a nation that has sealed its borders using militia, military, walls, and technology. My Country has passed a law requiring a national identification card and I am required to show proof of citizenship to enter the country. Soon I will be required to show proof of citizenship to vote or receive services. On January 14, 2007, I will need my government’s consent to leave or enter the country.

My car, my home, my guns, and my financial transactions are recorded and reported to the government. My income, expenditures, travel, and consumption habits are all being studied and maintained in government databases. My medical situation is monitored by my doctor and an insurance company and in many cases, my employer as well. Where I live, whom I marry, and how many children I have are all on record.

The police have powers to stop, detain, and imprison me without trial, lawyer, witnesses, evidence, or even charge for an indefinite period of time. Trials can now be held in secret and I am subject to a death penalty without civilian review. I can be interrogated and tortured and if unsuccessful, be rendered to a nation that will be far more persuasive. Anything I say in such situations will be used against me and admitted at my trial. Police can break into my house without warning at any hour and I can be executed if I use deadly force to defend myself. Citizens can be prosecuted on a charge of “conspiracy” without being told of a “conspiracy to commit what” and evidence can be provided to a jury without the defendant even knowing about it.

There are secret courts hearing applications for secret warrants where there is neither public scrutiny nor review. Police can enter my home, invade all my personal records and information, and leave without having to tell me. The FBI now can demand production of my financial records and banking records without a warrant or court order. All of my incoming and outgoing mail and telephone calls are monitored and run through algorithms and testing the content of my writing and speech.

We have camps set up to intern thousands of people. Our President has been given the power to federalize the National Guard over a Governor's objection and declare martial law. There are places where human beings are being tortured and abused by my government for the “good of the country.” Other camps are being built or are built around the nation under FEMA control. About half the people in my country either condone what is happening at Guantanamo or remain ambivalent.

My government is now under the control of a single political party at nearly all State and Local levels. At the Federal Level, the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch and an overwhelming majority of the Judicial Branch is under the domination and control of a single political party. This political party has strong ties to a particular religious dogma and its leaders consider themselves to be “born-again”, “fundamentalist”, “moral”, and “guided by God” in what they do.

In the public arena, this same political party decries abuse and has turned its focus on the media and academia. One by one, these institutions in both sectors are caving into the demands and will of a single political party. Major newspapers, television news, and even Presidential candidates are being set up and “Swift-Boated” to destroy their credibility. University education, science in particular, global warming, and research are all being put under biblical scrutiny.

Three national elections in a row, there have been serious questions raised nationwide about the veracity of voting outcomes. In nearly every case, the error has defaulted in favor of the same political party. Machines used in this last election were manufactured by one of the top contributors to the party that won and there is no paper trail.

My government has created a centralized databank and a centralized information gathering agency called the Department of Homeland Security. Powers held by this agency reach farther and wider than probably any of us know. They control all roads in and out of the country and actions taken by the Secretary of Homeland Security are not subject to judicial review or injunctive relief. The Military leadership, the C.I.A., and the F.B.I. do not support my President and leaks about illegal government activity are happening all the time.

The internet is under constant surveillance and there are traps and logging programs and web crawlers monitoring traffic and content. Programs scan all emails at ISPs. AOL actually maintains a log of every transaction of every member. Without hesitation or notice to customers, this information is routinely provided to police agencies.

We cannot board an airplane, a cruise ship, or enter any public building or event without being searched. “Proper identification” must be shown to enter any Federal Building. I am forbidden from carrying tweezers, cigarette lighters, tape recorders, or telephones with cameras into most public buildings.

My Federal Courts have evolved an entire body of criminal law that never existed in the minds of our Founders. Courts intended to mediate disputes between the States and as among the citizens of different states, now enforce laws historically reserved for the states. There are guidelines for sentencing that require fixed periods of time that are mathematically calculated and have no room for tempering justice with mercy. Judges no longer have sentencing discretion or the power and authority to nullify a bad law or refuse to enforce a law being applied improperly. Prosecutors and not judges have the discretion in sentencing. Nearly all Federal Judges have a professional history of being prosecutors. Few if any came up through the ranks as defense attorneys.

My Supreme Court, the last line of defense for the individual against the government, maintains inconsistent opinions. The majority there hold for strict reading and application of the Constitution. They posit there is no stated right to privacy and thus claims for rights to the body, to abortion, to suicide, to pain relief, to drugs, to prostitution and gambling and pornography fall upon deaf ears. At the same time, the Court upholds a claimed right to “life” though there is likewise no such stated right in the Constitution. Working backwards, this Court maintains that whatever rights may exist, such rights are limited only to those written in the document. Historically, all rights are in the hands of the individual except those specifically delegated to government. My Supreme Court refuses to accept this history. Instead, I am being forced to suffer the same scrutiny and live under the same standards that were required back in the 1700’s.

Prisons are the single industry that is growing. Our prison population is exploding and is larger than any nation in the history of the world. More and more of citizens are being imprisoned for longer and longer periods of time. Some segments are society claim nearly 50% criminal histories of some type. Employers, the government, public office, public services, travel, and public amusement parks are all being closed off to people with a criminal history. We are doing drug testing, criminal background checks, and credit checks for janitors and other common everyday workers.

States’ Rights is a concept that no longer exists. Laws passed in a State granting its citizens more rights than enumerated in the Constitution are being vetoed by the Federal government and state citizens are being arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned for long periods of time for doing what is legal in that State. Right now in the United States Senate, the party in control is actually looking for a technical way to overrule the will of a minority of States (though a numerical majority of the citizens). Republican Senator Rick Santorum once proclaimed proudly on the floor of the Senate that he deliberately and willfully gave up his right of the filibuster “forever” for the good of the nation … and he encouraged 11 other Senators to do the same. Senator Santorum admitted he voted to put judges into office despite feeling they were totally unqualified but that he did so ‘for the good of the compromise’. That is not the honor of an elected Representative.

States that recognize marriage as between two loving adults regardless of gender are seeing their laws ignored elsewhere. The Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Constitution has been set aside to advance a moral agenda.

Speech is under attack at all levels. Local prosecutors are using Patriot Act laws to send people to prison for life for uttering threatening words against a social worker. Radio and television are being dominated by punditry and entertainment being passed off as news. Books are being banned, movies are being boycotted and banned, holy books are being desecrated, and hate groups are being given the microphone and television camera.

Schools are being synthesized and education is being so watered down that critical thinking is giving way to uniformity and conformity. Children are being encouraged to tattle on their parents and can have the State determine whether you spanked too hard. Teachers are not allowed to express an opinion or challenge. Students are not allowed to voice artistic or creative talents. School Boards are likewise mostly under the control of a single political party and religious dogma.

Our government has driven us into a war based on false pretenses and outright lies. The ‘ends justifies the means’ has become a cornerstone of our politics and our policies. “Pre-emptive strikes”, “doing it for the children”, or “keeping us safe from terrorists” have become justification for just about everything the government does regardless of how unpalatable or repugnant to the Constitution and its’ libertarian roots. It is not about 'cut and run'. It is about not supposed to be there in the first place.

Though we are all aware the enemy is religious fantacism and the criminal entities that give it life, and though we are all aware that Osama Bin Ladin and Al Qaeda is responsible for the violence perpetrated upon this nation, our President and his Party turned their wrath upon the American People. Republicans have cost Americans more rights and freedoms than Osama ever did with his airplanes.

We are headed into another war. Syria, Iran, North Korea are all on the table. We have isolated ourselves politically. Our friends are few and not a single one of them could fire a shot in our defense. China and the East are about to take over the world markets. The European Union is a pre-curser to what is now the United States. American leaders are no longer welcomed with flowers and parades, but with grenades and heightened security. American soldiers are dying and being maimed doing police work in a place where they are not welcome. More billions of dollars are being given to Iraq’s infrastructure and schools than we spend on our own.

“An elective despotism was not the government we fought for, but one which should not only be founded on true free principles, but in which the powers of government should be so divided and balanced among general bodies of magistracy, as that no one could transcend their legal limits without being effectually checked and restrained by the others.”

-- Thomas Jefferson