Attention Republicans in Congress:
You have to start listening to the people you represent. You have to start paying attention to what the voters that elected you are saying.
In the past few months, political factions in Washington, D.C., have become even more pronounced, and most of the divide has been formed by the Republicans in the Senate and the House.
One of the first instances of this divide happened during President Obama's speech to Congress on the issue of health care. Representative Joe Wilson made a fool of himself and his entire party with his racially motivated outburst. I think political outbursts have their place in our government, but not during a speech that is traditionally respected by everyone in Congress, regardless of party affiliation. This was the first time I have seen someone yelling during an internationally televised speech, and it was a disgrace.
It gets worse. Since then, the Republicans have launched a smear campaign against President Obama and anyone to the left of their ideas. Lies about health-care have been highlighted, but many others haven't been discussed.
The Republicans decided to hate ACORN when they found out that it had some sort of relationship with President Obama. So, naturally, when two ACORN employees were filmed talking about breaking a law to help out a seemingly poor woman that was simply trying to support herself in life, the Republicans called for the organization's government funding to be cut. Despite the fact that ACORN helps countless families and individuals who need assistance every year, the organization was judged based on two employees.
Had the Republicans consistently held the view that a few employees are representative of a huge organization, it would have been fine. But consider the case of Jamie Leigh Jones, the woman who said she was gang-raped by Halliburton employees. She wasn't allowed to sue the company based on a contractual loophole, and when this came up in Congress, the Republicans shifted their views completely.
Instead of supporting the Al Franken anti-rape amendment to the government contract, 30 out of 38 Republicans said that the government shouldn't meddle with its own contracts, and that the government shouldn't judge an organization like Halliburton based on a few employees.
Now, Republican Congressmen are again showing their disconnect with the people they were elected to serve. Not only are they reserving support for debate over the health-care bill (even though polls show that Americans want the public option), but they are also still saying the stimulus package was a bust. Granted, on health care at least, some Democrats have to get their act together and at least vote to debate the issue.
Thankfully, Republican governors like Arnold Schwarzenegger are actually in touch with their people and can admit that the stimulus is working. The Republicans in Congress could learn a thing or two from the Governator.
Paul Murty is a UF student.
