The Founding Fathers discarded the document that made God the author of the country (the Articles of Confederation), in favor of that other one that starts with those very precise three words, putting the People as the ultimate author of the Law. (This new one worked much better.)
Since the offices ennumerated after those words have gotten filled with dynasts, defrauders and millionaires, it's been difficult for the People to get their attention. Breaking the law no longer matters much to these officeholders.
So I've taken to ordering them around, starting with my Senator, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Some perspective: I'm about as liberal as they come. I'm a man who takes orders from women every day, and I'm perfectly fine with that. And I know what Senator Clinton means when she compares Republicans to plantation owners, and I agree.
But we've all had enough of the lawbreaking and lack of oversight in DC, yes? Lack of leadership is a problem, yes?
My recommendation, to everyone, is to start giving orders.
Now, in any other era of American politics, this would just be a nutty idea to pursue. "A Republic isn't total democracy" would be the steady, adult response. "That's not how representative government works."
But it isn't really representative or working now, is it? Since wild, personal interpretations of the Constitution are all the rage, We the People should start playing too.
This isn't just the screaming in the dark we've been doing. This is taking up the language of Command. If used consistently, and with proper records kept, it can build a large history of the People's assertion of power, and certainly our denial of power to any usurpers or other corrupt individuals.
Anyway, here's the text of what I posted from her website's emailer. I also called her Manhattan office, and made my instructions clear. Feel free to use this as a template for commanding your Senator, especially Republican ones:
Madam Senator,
I hereby direct you to engage in a filibuster to block the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.
Failure to, at minimum, attempt a filibuster, will result in my voting for your Republican challenger this fall, and publicly encouraging all interested parties to do the same.
I have never voted for a Republican. But I will. Because if Samuel Alito is allowed on the Court without your making every possible challenge to stop him, you no longer have any reason to serve the people of the State of New York.
Sincerely,
John C. Adams
As you can see, I'm still reasoned and polite, and mentioning that quaint "voting" business that employs her. It's the "publicly encouraging" part that enhances the leadership and guts that the People, such as bloggers, can readily attain.
Remember, respect is earned. This cuts both ways. Commands must be clear, and never denegrating.
However, this will be followed up with reminders of repeated disobedience. I suspect this might get a Republican's attention quicker than someone else, but who knows.
As time passes, the tally won't be how often Washington does what we "like" or not, or not doing what we "want"-- but of how insubordinate these individuals are.
PS - The flip side of this is disobeying illegal orders. That takes a lot more guts, as any street protestor can tell you, and will likely be thrust upon many of us in the days to come, despite all our efforts.
Cheers.