The Mirriam-Webster dictionary defines treason as, “the offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance”. The Random House dictionary (dictionary.com) defines treason as, “any attempt to overthrow the government or impair the well-being of a state to which one owes allegiance; the crime of giving aid or comfort to the enemies of one’s government.” And the clearest definition of all can be found in the Cambridge dictionary, which defines treason as, “(the crime of) showing no loyalty to your country, especially by helping its enemies or attempting to defeat its government.”
So here’s the question… At what point do the Republican Party’s attempts to undermine the United States of America, in every way become treasonous? I contend they crossed that line long ago.
Just look at what they’re doing, and try to tell me with a straight face that their actions aren’t going to “impair the well-being” of the state itself, not to mention it’s people. Just try to tell me that their actions, like pushing our country to default on it’s debt for the first time in history, undermining the rights of our workforce, assaulting the health of our people, and the ability of our elders to live out their final years with dignity, like taking dictatorial levels of power for Governors and even eliminating democracy itself at the local level wherever they please, like ignoring our crumbling infrastructure knowing full well that doing so leaves us vulnerable to attack and disaster, like dragging our fighting men and women into wars in the wrong theaters against the wrong enemies, as they did in Iraq, while letting our real enemies get away, as they did with Bin Laden, like revolting against fair taxes on the rich who can afford them painlessly anyhow, forcing our nation to slash it’s spending on it’s own people to the bone, like ignoring the consensus of 97% of scientists warning us of the consequences of climate change, even though that endangers our people and presents a national security threat, because that’s not in the interest of their true loyalties – to industry – just try to tell me that all of that, and all the other shameless things they’re doing don’t add up to treason. Clearly, it does!
Benedict Arnold
Now a lot of people may think calling these actions treason may be going a little too far on my part, but I strongly disagree. Sure, in a traditional sense we think of treason as selling secrets to a foreign government, or switching sides from our military to our enemy’s, like Benedict Arnold. But, especially these days when multi-national corporations and conglomerations are at least as powerful as most, if not all, nations on Earth – particularly when you look not just at the individual companies but their entire industries as a whole, treason can no longer be narrowly defined as betraying your country to another country. Rather, we have to realize that betrayal is betrayal no matter who they sell out to, be it another nation, or a corporation, conglomerate, or lobbyist. Fact is, a back-stabber is a back-stabber no matter where they got the knife.
Republicans like Paul Ryan, Pat Toomey, and Ron Paul who are actively working to cause our country to deliberately default on it’s obligations for the first time ever are actively trying to undermine America’s standing in the world. Nothing could be more treasonous than that. Republicans like Scott Walker and John Kasich have seized dictatorial levels of power, power not granted them by the people, power not traditionally granted to their office, and all but swept democracy aside – even seeking to make it harder for the people to vote, especially if they’re the kind of person less likely to vote for them. Even wiping out lower governments entirely. How is THAT not treason?
With the exception of one’s family, or possibly one’s God, when you are more loyal to any other entity than you are to your own country, be that entity a lobbyist, or a corporation, or an industry group, or a political party, or a foreign nation – if you’re an American citizen, and you consider yourself to be anything else first, and an American second, then you’re disloyal. But when you take action on that disloyalty, and actively work to undermine the standing, or security of the United States of America – which is a government of, by, and for the people – then you are by definition a traitor. And that means most of the Republicans in major federal or state office today meet that definition. It’s time we started calling them out on it!
June 11th, 2011 at 9:02 pm
If the Chinese communists were secretly doing all the things you mention, that the Republicans are trying to do to this country, we’d declare war on them.
As it is, with the U.S. so in debt to China, what’s to keep our demoralized work force from knuckling under, should China demand our low-wage labor in return for continuing to cover our debt? The Chinese could buy what’s left of our industrial base, or build their own factories here. Then all our unemployed could be forced to work for them. That’s why the Republicans are trying to destroy our social safety net, get rid of tax revenue, and privatize everything under the sun. For I have no trouble envisioning our government/corporate masters from signing off on that plan.
And how could we stop them?
June 12th, 2011 at 6:28 am
Treason? Really? This writer’s view is distorted. The US Constitution doesn’t guarantee any social programs, so how is “taking them from the people” in what ends up being borrowing less money from the Chineese considered “treason”.
How can we stop borrowing money? By living within our means. In my house, it means giving up everything I don’t need to live, and some things that I really miss.
Our government has to do the same.
We shouldn’t expect our government to provide for us what isn’t in the US Constitution.
Please read the US Constitution one more time just to put my comment into perspective.
June 12th, 2011 at 6:31 am
While it is altogether way too easy to sit back (as an armchair quarterback) and take all sorts of cheap pot-shots against a single party using isolated examples, you have stated your opinion to which you are entitled. However, there are two things to point out. First, you’ve directed your blame to one party in general – the Republican Party. When did the U.S. change its government from bi-partisan to a single party and give complete control and decision-making and law-passing only to the Republican Party? Second, as you were highlighting things like treason and loyalty, you managed to completely miss the mark on your definition of the United States. The USA is NOT defined as a government (as you stated while attempting to paraphrase Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address): Rather we are a nation, under God. Names like Reagan and Bush get mentioned together with Lincoln ethical leaders of this nation under God. What party is it to which Lincoln, Reagan, and Bush all belonged?
June 12th, 2011 at 9:48 am
So I guess you are willing to label the Democrats favorite son, Bill Clinton, with treason against the nation since he took political donations from China. No I didn’t think so. Your litmus test is just a bias against republicans and more specifically Tea par-tiers.
I think you need to look at the larger picture, both of our political parties are causing more damage to this country, because they are out of touch with the common man.
June 12th, 2011 at 10:03 am
Constitutionally, legislatively, and morally, Ron Paul has no equal. His 22 year voting record speaks for itself.
Mr. Paul has not survived in politics for 22 years and maintain the ethics and morality he has by being anything other than stellar.
If You refute the above comment, then I please invite You to listen to him speak about key issues. It is amazing how well he comes across because he doesn’t have to remember lies like other politicians. He understands what is happening in the world and knows how to apply the basic principles of liberty to achieve the real change that America so desperately deserves.
American to American we are all on the same team. So I present Mr. Ron Paul as my Candidate for 2011 and invite anybody to meaningfully and respectfully debate why he is not the best for American and its people in 2012.
Ron Paul = A real change, not for special interest, but for America’s Interests!
Thank You for Your time
Ron Paul 2012
June 12th, 2011 at 11:37 am
WHAT “shenanigans”? I trust you have a LIST handy? So far, EVERY SINGLE GOP event has been well within the law and on point. Can you say the same about your OWN party? the one that just received the 2nd biggest electoral ASS KICKING in history?
I think you need to quit pointing accusations and instead, get your FACTS correct, your HISTORY correct, and all your child-stalking perverts out of power before you start throwing around words like treason….considering your own guy in the White House isn’t even legitimate, nor was EITHER of the Klinton admins. IF you know your history and your Constitutional law, you will understand and agree. if you DONT know your History and Constituional Law, consider yourself defeated, Mr Author.
June 12th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
So Edward, who is going to file the lawsuit?
Can we file it against the Republican Party or do we single out individuals?
Does it get filed in federal or state court?
If we don’t file a lawsuit, what other actions can/should we take to point out this treason?
You have a great point, now lets move to action.
June 12th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Why didn’t you include the US Constitution’s definition of Treason since it is the only definition by which someone can be tried in the US?
June 12th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
[In reply to Robert Lawrence] I’ve read the Constitution many times. You might try reading the preamble. There’s a line in there about the common welfare. Furthermore, our Founding Fathers, in their storied wisdom, knew when they set up our system of government in the beginning that what they were creating was both imperfect, and a product of it’s times. They knew that the Constitution would have to face the test of time, and in order to make it malleable enough to meet that test as time went on, they established the Supreme Court to interpret the Constitution, and also gave the legislature the ability to make amendments. So all this talk about the Constitution like it’s carved in stone and cannot adapt to the times overlooks the genius of the design of our Founding Fathers.
As for the “living within our means” line, first of all, all you have to do is turn on almost any news broadcast to know that is a Republican talking point. Secondly, let me point something out to you about “our” means: they are exactly that, OUR means, all of our means. And the problem is that there are a lot of us in this society with a lot of means, and a lot greed. OUR means includes the taxes they should be paying, instead of evading. Thirdly, you mentioned that in your house, living within your means “means giving up everything I don’t need to live, and some things I really miss”. OK, but if you were more of a man of means than you seem by your own description, you wouldn’t have to give up what you miss. And America is NOT a poor country, it’s the greatest center of wealth in the world. We are a nation with lots of means, we just have too many people doing everything they can to avoid paying their fair share, even though they can easily afford to. OUR means would include all the things they’re trying to take away were we doing things the way we used to where the tax code is concerned. You know, back when the system worked. Fourth, would you consider that maybe if you can’t afford to pay the rent you don’t need to go getting into expensive fights all over the world? And maybe if you can’t afford to keep up with the cost of oil, perhaps you should consider developing domestic energy sources that cost less?
My point is that when it comes to this subject, the problem is two fold: A, too many rich folks are gaming the system to avoid paying taxes even though they can easily afford them, and B, our priorities are out of whack. And yes, the Republican party is the force pushing this situation.
June 12th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
[In reply to Joe B.] First of all, I did not paraphrase Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Secondly, The US actually has much more than 2 parties, but the Republican and Democratic parties are clearly the dominant ones. Thirdly, yes, I blame the Republican party for the actions which the Republican party is undertaking under the Republican party’s platform. Perhaps you should turn on the news and just tally it up. Take each of the example I listed and find out which party is behind it. You’ll find that the Republican party is the driving force, that is, if you actually look into it and not just take Fox New’s word for stuff. Fourth, the USA *is* run by a government, which is why you’ll find “Government Vehicle” on the plates of their cars. And as for ethical leaders under God? Reagan and Bush don’t belong in that list. And also, Lincoln may have been a Republican, but by today’s standards, his positions would very clearly put him in the Democratic party (things, including the party positions, change over time). Finally, I can appreciate your religious fervor, but perhaps you should READ your Bible and then ask yourself which way the guy names Jesus described within it would vote… But if you just let the Preacher and the TV tell you what to think about Jesus, then you don’t know him at all. Like Lincoln, in today’s world, the Jesus I read about in the book of Matthew would be a Democrat.
June 12th, 2011 at 8:53 pm
[In reply to Grey] If Bill Clinton took political donations from China then that would indeed have been treasonous. Of course, Citizens United hadn’t happened to legalize that yet, making it criminal. I think Clinton is a great man in many ways, and flawed in others, and yet if he was guilty of that crime I would be satisfied to see justice done. I don’t believe your accusation and see no evidence of it, but if you were to prove it, I would support holding him accountable (as I would any other proven criminal, unless the law broken itself were an unjust one). Yes Republicans and their pawns in the Tea Party are pushing a corrupt and treasonous agenda, if we consider that selling out to a corporation is still selling out. I will agree that both parties are out of touch with the common man, but a bigger problem is that half of the common man is out of touch with the other half.
June 12th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
[In reply to George Washington] That’s great, you’re entitled to your opinion – which I thoroughly disagree with. Perhaps you should investigate Mr. Paul. You’ll find some very unsavory things. By the way, I recommend that all voters put their preferences aside and thoroughly research all candidates, do it like a job, like your duty – which it is, if you ask me. THEN decide who to vote for. By the way, next time you want to support a candidate, please have the courage to use your own name when doing so and folks might take you more seriously, “George Washington”…
June 12th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
[In reply to JBC] You must not even have read the article, as you suggested a list and the article includes one. Secondly, your birther nonsene has been roundly disproven and just makes you seem ignorant. Third, if you’re referring to Anthony Weiner, I might point out that it turned out that the 17 year old only had innocent conversations with Weiner, but he’s still a huge disappointment. Mark Foley, on the other hand… Fourth, it’s Clinton, not Klinton.
June 12th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
[In reply to Dave Finnigan] Here’s the action we can take – call them on it. We have to raise awareness, cause people to ask themselves “isn’t that a betrayal of our country” As for who can file charges, that’s up to the Department of Justice, I believe.
June 12th, 2011 at 9:21 pm
[In reply to John Smith] My point was that we need to broaden our definition of treason. This sort of thing is why our Founding Fathers made amending the Constitution possible. Specifically, I contend that “adhering to” the enemies of the United States includes enemies like Al Queda, a non-government organization, and can extend to corporations. When a politician takes payment to place the interests of some corporation above the national interests of the United States and it’s people, which the Constitution pledges in it’s preamble to provide for the general welfare of, then they are traitors. Perhaps I should have touched on that in the definition paragraph. Point well taken.
June 12th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Edward, thank you. I have been calling it all out treason for sometime. You have validated me. I have beed heard.
June 13th, 2011 at 5:40 am
Whether you knowingly or unknowingly did so, you did in fact paraphrase Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. You said “government of, by, and for the people”, while Lincoln said “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” You also completely skirted the issue of the fact that, regardless of how many parties exist, it takes two to tango — the dems enact law so as you’re pointing fingers you need to include all parties who have a say in running our government. Lastly, there was absolutely no religious fervor in my original post so I am not sure of your basis for your comment. In the end, while I found your original post to be entertaining enough to read, your subsequent responses to me and all of the others are nothing but defensive drivel. Nit-picking every single point, speaking as if you are an authority on every topic, twisting everything to suit your needs, speaking as if you know me after having read a single paragraph (btw, I do not watch the news, Fox or otherwise), using nothing but sarcasm in your response, ridiculing, etc — I am sorry to say but there is absolutely no value in this writing. Your photo portrays an adult but your responses reflect an unparented, uneducated, and frustrated teenager. Oh, and not only do I read my Bible I try my best to act accordingly, and I’ll bet your posts would be much more entertaining and enjoyable to read if you did not defend, attack, boast, be sarcastic, etc, etc.
June 13th, 2011 at 7:32 am
David Graham Phillips, wrote in Cosmopolitan (March, 1906): “Treason is a strong word, but not too strong, rather too weak, to characterize the situation which the Senate is the eager, resourceful, indefatigable agent of interests as hostile to the American people as any invading army could be, and vastly more dangerous”
With all due respect to the great article and deep reflections, it is somewhat naive to think that, under the current shape of the U.S. middle class, and its consistent and slow death over decades, the problem lies on the GOP side only. As it is obvious that there is a slant on the right, and an obvious sell out of morals and any ethic principle, the disease is bipartisan. It is high time that any person with a clear view would now stop taking side. Nothing will ever change unless we agree that the enemy is not one party or the other, but greed, and that has to be fought at the root and not by partisan righteousness. Building a demand for accountability is my suggestion. repeace(dot)com
June 13th, 2011 at 11:14 am
I agree with the oppinion being expressed here. But it needs to be understood that unless you could make a legal court case over such an accusation, it is nothing but an oppinion. I say this not to discourage but to ensure that we are mindful that we are not participating in the same fear mongering that is allowing the GOP to do what they are doing in the absence of fact.
June 13th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
I agree 100%. Their actions are treasonous.
In addition to returning to supporting our Constitution, we need to add an amendment which protects the environment.
June 13th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
[2nd reply to Joe B.] Joe, you wrote, “The USA is NOT defined as a government (as you stated while attempting to paraphrase Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address): Rather we are a nation, under God. Names like Reagan and Bush get mentioned together with Lincoln ethical leaders of this nation under God. What party is it to which Lincoln, Reagan, and Bush all belonged?” Your assertion seems to be religious in nature, as you seem to be suggesting that Reagan, Bush, and Lincoln are godly examples, and you imply that since you hold them up as such, the GOP must be the godly party. To which I reply, “HAH!” In the Bible I read, warmongering, murderousness, and mistreatment of the poor and the sick are not considered godly virtues. My statement to you about tallying up the issues and not taking Fox New’s word for it was more a comment on Fox than on you. I don’t know whether or not you’re a Fox viewer, but my point was that Fox is not a reliable source. In their telling, everything is the Democrats fault. Now, I do realize that there are corrupt Democrats as I’ve commented before, but the very platform of the Democratic Party is not a betrayal of the everyday Americans, and the Republican party’s platform is.
I find it comical that you would “nit-pick” to use your term my article, and then when I address your points and those of others you should object to turn around being fair play. I don’t know if you’ve ever written a blog article before or not, but when you do you have two choices: ignore all comments, or respond to them. Responding to them means addressing the issues brought up. So, gee whiz man, sorry for not ignoring you.
But I see your point about the Gettysburg address, my phrasing was more just using the common refrain, but I suppose the common refrain is a paraphrasing of the Gettysburg Address.
June 13th, 2011 at 11:58 pm
[In reply to FallingSpider] I think if a serious investigation were to be undertaken, plenty of evidence of treason would turn up. Especially when you consider that a lot of the betrayal they’re doing is so open. But, my point is not that prosecution is necessarily required. Rather, I think that if the voting public can come to recognize the betrayal and simply return the favor, and we turn our backs on them, and vote against them – their agenda is defeated. In the end that’s what really matters.
June 14th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
First of all, when discussing accusations of treason against employees of the federal government, any definition of treason found in any dictionary will not hold up in any U.S. Court of Law. legally, those definitions are as relevant as Ann Coulter’s definition of treason, which is anyone who believes in a Liberal ideology.
Treason is specifically defined in the United States Constitution, and is the only crime so defined.
Article III Section 3 delineates treason as follows:
‘Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.’
Of course, if one is to accuse Republican politicians of treason, then one must also accuse Democratic politicians of the same crime. Their treason was and is bipartisan.
For instance, all the Congresspeople who voted recently to extend the unconstitutional U.S. Patriot Act, both Republican and Democratic alike, as well as President Obama, who signed it into law, are guilty of treason. It can be argued that they have levied a war against “We the People” by taking away our constitutional rights. Notice how they have the TSA and the local Police are now authorized to use deadly force against anyone, if necessary, to enforce their growing list of unconstitutional laws.
The argument for passing the unconstitutional U.S. Patriot Act Extension, was that it was Congress’ duty to “protect the people.” The message seemed to be shouted loudest by Sen. Diane Feinstein, (DINO) of California.
However, that argument is absolutely incorrect! Our employees in our government did not take an oath to protect the people, they took an oath to protect the Constitution.
‘Freely defend the rights of the Constitution with your life,
and the Constitution will defend your right to live freely.’
Personally, I am getting tired of seeing delusional hit stories that blame only the Republicans for the bipartisan sins of both parties.
The truth is, the DINOs and Neocons have merged into the Democratic-Republican Party, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Wealthy Elite, Ltd.
Next year in the primaries, vote out the DINOs, including DINO Obama, and the Neocons, including faux Libertarian Ron Paul. They are all guilty of levying war against the Constitution. They are all guilty of treason.
Instead, vote only for PROGRESSIVES
June 14th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
My last comment may have given the impression that a quote I posted was an oath of office. It is not, but it could make a great voluntary oath of citizenship that is more meaningful than the Pledge of Allegiance.
For the record, here is the President’s oath:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Here is the oath for Congress and federal judges:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
Here is the second oath that must be recited by federal judges:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me, according to the best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably to the Constitution, and laws of the United States. So help me God.”
All of these oaths require our representatives to protect the Constitution. There is nothing included in the oath requiring them to protect the people.
Even the Military must recite an oath to protect the Constitution.
“I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God”
So when a treasonous politician tries to justify why our constitutional rights must be taken away from us by wrongly claiming their duty is to protect us, ask them to uphold their oath of office and protect the Constitution instead.
June 15th, 2011 at 4:28 am
For all the noise and hysteria generated by the right over Communism, and then liberalism the simple fact is the greatest threat to democracy in the United States has always come from the right. It isn’t that the left couldn’t pose a threat, it’s just that they never have. Somewhere in all the commotion, it gets lost that the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are two of the most “liberal” political documents ever created. Sadly, far to many people do not know what liberalism actually means and, what is infinitely worse, they do not know what conservatism means either.
June 15th, 2011 at 8:08 am
@Edward, I agree that Fox is not a reliable news source. What news source, in your opinion, IS reliable and why? I don’t want to just get news from a left-wing mirror of Fox. Thank you.
June 16th, 2011 at 7:29 am
The Republican party has made treason one of it’s major planks in their day to day platform. They follow the footsteps of Reagan, who, via G.H.W. Bush and Wm. Casey, undermined Pres. Carter’s negotiations with the Iranians to release the hostages in 1979. Since then, the repugs have dared to do ever worse, and have gotten away with it every time. The installation of a deserter in time of war, G.W. Bush, was surely a treasonous act by the republican operatives on the supreme court, as were the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, both in violation of internation law, international treaties, the UN charter and the Nuhremburg accords. To Hell with All Republicans!
June 17th, 2011 at 6:34 am
Back in the ’50s-’60s some wingnut (can’t remember the name now) wrote a book called “None Dare Call It Treason”, about how the Red Menace had manipulated history, destroyed America, and was biding its time before handing the USA over to a Stalinist dictator. You know, the same ’50s where the economy was going well, everyone had pride in America, the rich paid upwards of 90% of income tax at the top rate, the _real_ CPUSA was meeting in basements and controlling nothing, the time the TeaBaGOP thinks is so dreamy.
Fast forward fifty years; the conservatives have had their way, running up massive debts, handing unlimited power to the Executive and private corporations, the top tax rate is 30% or so and it’s whined that that’s too high, we can’t be competitive, the Soviets are gone so the nativists are flailing about for another Menace, teabaggery is considered mainstream and maggots like Paul Ryan and Tim Pawlenty are claiming to cure all our problems by cutting social programs and handing the money to the wealthy. And there’s all this stormy weather that has nothing, nothing I tell you, nothing to do with global warming, regardless of the fact that it was predicted twenty years ago.
Now, of course, if we want to call the people who actually have power in the system, who deny science if it doesn’t fit their preconceptions, who fret about phantoms like Sharia Law, who campaign for an America that’s stupider, more brutal, more relentless and more Social Darwinist, we can’t POSSIBLY call them “traitors” because, umm, well, ahem, well, shut up that’s why.
I see.
June 18th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
I know of one specific instance in which Republicans committed treason: the outing of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson by top Republican officials in the Bush/Cheney administration. And after her cover was blown, along with all the other covert CIA agents working undercover through Brewster-Jennings, these traitorous Republicans buried the CIA’s after-incident damage-assessment report. Conclusion? Severe damage was done to our national security after Republicans blew Valerie Plame Wilson’s CIA cover, people died, counter-proliferation efforts were set back. And all the treasonous Republicans got away with it, with only Scooter Libby standing trial, being convicted, but having his sentence commuted by the traitor George W. Bush.
One can quibble over all the policy differences and crimes (from incompetent to intentional) committed by Republicans during the Bush/Cheney years (ENRON, the 9/11 attacks, Iraq War, torture, withholding federal disaster aid to New Orleans, the Wall Street financial crisis of 2008, Hatch Act hiring violations at all federal agencies, etc), but their malicious outing of Valerie Plame Wilson definitely fits the constitutional description of an act of treason against the United States of America.
Unfortunately, the current “Democratic” administration (along with all Republicans and the right-leaning Blue Dog Democrats) don’t want to revisit the huge mountain of crimes committed by Republicans during the criminal Bush/Cheney years, essentially abrogating their oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution and our country from all enemies, domestic and foreign. In my lifetime, I’ve never before seen this level of corruption, especially corruption condoned by so many top government officials, all of whom have violated their oath of office, selling out our country and the future of our nation’s children, all for thirty pieces of silver added to their campaign coffers, often from wealthy individuals and multi-national corporations, who apparently have absolutely no allegiance anymore to our country, with money all that matters to them anymore. Truth? Forget it. Patriotism? That’s so quaint. The rule of law? That’s for losers, because we all know that might makes right, and everyone knows that laws can be rewritten so the formerly illegal becomes (poof!) legal, and then history can be rewritten to try to hide what the righteous, ego-maniacal, right-wing monopolists did, subverting the very core principles of our liberal democracy. Mission accomplished…America, a Banana Republic run by “Bedtime for Bonzo” Banana Republicans.
July 1st, 2011 at 8:41 pm
I also believe that treason is being perpetuated by the republicans. In addition, the worst aspect of this is that it has risen to the level of our Supreme Court. When the Supreme Court of the land cannot be counted on for just and honest discourse and its decisions can be predicted before a case is even presented to it, democracy does not really exist. The conservative members of the Supreme Court have been bought and paid for by the same people and/or corporations that bought and paid for the republican party.
One of the subtexts of treason is “sedition”, which is defined as “incitement of discontent or rebellion against a government or any action, especially in speech or writing, promoting such discontent or rebellion.” I think what has been going on in the states, especially Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Florida, etc. can be defined as sedition as the actions of the government caused hundreds of thousands of people to take to the streets to protest. That it was peaceful protest says more about the protesters than about the government–and how long is it going to remain peaceful as the republicans keep piling it on?
Yes, treason is occurring in the United States, right out in the open, in front of our very eyes, and no one is doing a damn thing about it.
July 2nd, 2011 at 10:18 pm
A huge difference between Dem supporters and GOP supporters is that Dem supporters are willing to call on those they support to do better when they fall short, while GOP supporters consistently demonstrate blind allegience no matter how aggregious the sins of those they support. The comments here sure seem to bear that out. There are certainly Dems who have opened themselves to criticism, but nothing that compares with the concerted effort of the GOP to put party politics and personal agendas above the health and welfare of this country and its citizens. The allegiance to multinationals that operate as sovereigns, pursuing the profit motive even at the expense of a country inexplicably continuing to offer them handouts that bleeds over party lines, makes some sense to me given the corruption of our elections, but I’m at a loss as to why my senator has signed a pledge to an individual (Grover Norquist) who is not one of his constituents that asks him to ignore the situation in our state or any extenuating circumstances (like towns being destroyed by devasting tornados) and that makes him beholden to something other than the best interests and needs of his constituents. How is Cantor’s and Boehnor’s flip flops against legislation they once not only supported, but sponsored, in a clear effort to slow economic recovery anything but treason? How is Mitch McConnell’s pledge to make unseating the president the number one job of the GOP (before tending to the needs of constituents, fiscal matters and national security) anything other than treason? The Dems may have issues of their own, but most of those in the GOP have long since forgotten their oaths of office and have been merely been mouthing the words to the Pledge of Allegiance for some time. If there is a GOP legislator you support you’d like not to be called a traitor, how ’bout calling on him/her to not act like one.
July 6th, 2011 at 4:03 am
I’ve questioned the legalities of the GOP’s bahaviour as well.
Even if the Constitution doesn’t define their actions as treason the Declaration of Independence says if the government becomes corrupt the duty of removing them falls on the people. That begs the question of whether the founders viewed corruption of this sort as a kind of treason. I’m not endorsing violence, just sharing what it says.
The GOP are pushing Grover Norquist’s plan to reduce government 50% by 2025 and then reduce it again until it’s gone; that’s his publicly stated agenda. The stated means to accomplish this was lowering taxes so government can’t function. What is it the GOP refuses to raise and whose pledge did they sign?
Plotting to destroy the nation (you can’t reduce something indefinitely and have it remain) certainly feels like treason even if the Constitution doesn’t define it thus.
Many corp/high bracket taxes are very low right now (15%-0% effective with various breaks). They’re well under pre-Great Depression rates (25%) and light years below tax rates during WWII (77%). The standard deduction for the middle class is currently 33%.
Lowering taxes doesn’t create jobs; taxes have been low for 10 years and jobs have flown the coop. It does, however, increase retained profits and a person could get used to those. Corporations aren’t hiring because the GOP is trying to make the “W” tax cuts permanent. They’ll benefit by waiting and pretending things are worse than they are. Collusion of this sort is usually a crime but I guess not anymore.
The GOP have pledged to work toward the Norquist vision of America; a Plutarchy wherein the super-rich rule over the masses; the Objectivist ideal. Democrats have literally stood by and watched it transpire and Independents have chosen sides for survival.
The truth is all political parties should have the corrupt and do-nothing people within them excoriated for the greater good.
And all will march merrily on because we can’t do more than argue over illusionary details. And the childish, “our guys are better than your guys,” nonsense is just as useless.
I think corrupt politicians prefer it this way. Propaganda and distractions work when the people confuse it with their own thinking.
July 10th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Thank you for your article. It is about time that the GOP is held accountable for their public position that they will do everything they can to ensure that the government fail so that they can defeat Obama and make him a 1 term president. I do believe that must include treason. To take the US into bankruptcy is not in the best interest OF THE PEOPLE. If the debt ceiling is not increased so that the DEBTS of the US are paid in full would be treason as it is adverse to the welfare of the US and the PEOPLE of the nation. Also if you read the many documents on the founding of the US you will find that the US was not ever founded as a nation under god. The only reference to “religion” was that there is a separation between religion and the state. Yes Lincoln did state god in his address but he was NOT a founding father. This nation is tolerant of ALL religions as well as those that profess NO religion.
July 11th, 2011 at 6:47 am
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. They ARE treasonous bastards and have been for a long time. GW Bush and his gang were nothing more than looters and destroyers and this crop of fruitcakes are even worse. There is no doubt they are undermining this country for political gain. It’s so obvious that even Bachmann and Palin can understand, but choose to ignore and participate.
July 11th, 2011 at 11:30 am
At no point – unless they actually push for armed insurrection. It’s that kind of talk that just makes this BS worse. Republicans are jackasses and completely beholden to the corporations that pay their way but they still get elected and they apparently do what most republican voters think they want. Voters need to be more educated in order to realize how destructive GOP policies are but it’s not treason to legislate or even roadblock legislation
July 12th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
I guess we are too young to remember the FDR administration during the pre-wart years immediately following the Great Market Crash of ’29. Back in those days, according to my long gone Grandfather, an awful lot of those Wall Street Tycoons, Industrialists, and others who ALLEGEDLY put a gun in their own mouths or “jumped” out of high rise windows in NYC and other locales, had a bit of help. There were conspiracies to overthrow the FDR administration by illegal and unconstitutional means, including military coups. THERE WERE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS, THERE WERE NO CONGRESSIONAL OR SENATE INVESTIGATIONS OF ANY PUBLIC NATURE, AND THER WERE NO TRIALS. JUST A LOT OF DEAD GUYS AS A RESULT OF SUICIDE, HOMOCIDE, AND ACCIDENTS. During the Great Depression it was not in the interest of the US to air such dirty linen domestically, as quite a few sheep would side with the insurgents, or internationally, as quite a few friends and allies would be put off just a bit, and our enemies would revel in the scandals of such dire and reprehensible Constitutional crises being fomented by our own upstanding millionaires, politicians, other public figures and members of the public at large. So, my Grandfather told my Dad, and I (although I was only about 7 or 8 at the time) of his observations back in the day when my Dad was only 2 years old or so, and somewhat ignorant of his surroundings. My Dad laughed and said my Grandfather was a few bricks short of a load, or something to that nature, but in the aftermath of JFK’s assassination and events which later played out in the run-up to Nixon’s election in ’68, I BELIEVE HIM!
July 15th, 2011 at 10:31 am
Dear Congress: You have forgotten why you are in Washington, DC. You are there to serve THE PEOPLE; the Constituency that put you there – NOT your PERSONAL AGENDA to feed your ego and personal coffers, NOT YOUR PARTY. YOU ARE A SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. You are a PUBLIC SERVANT – WE DO NOT SERVE YOU. GET THIS DONE – NOW. IF YOU LIKE YOUR JOB FIX THIS NOW OR YOU’RE FIRED.
I do not believe one single one of them cares one jot what happens; they’re watching Rome burn and throwing gas on it! Back in the early years of our country Congress was locked in a building (lured there to meet to discuss a contentious issue and a free meal) and they were literally locked in without a change of clothes, in the summer no less. It took them a week to hammer it out but they did. We need to lock Congress in the Capitol Building without even so much as a change of underwear, a cell phone, NOTHING. We’ll feed them Subway twice a day, that’s it. If they get smelly enough maybe they’ll come up with a solution so they can get out!
July 17th, 2011 at 11:16 am
It’s amazing how many PHONY “patriots” and FAKE “christians” believe they can prove a point by stating we are “one nation under god” while not knowing, or pretending not to know, that the Pledge of Allegiance was not written with those words, “under god”, but that those words were added by another PHONY “patriotic”, FAKE “christian” POLITICIAN years after the Pledge was written.
These are the same people who spout off about THEIR bible and how well they “know” what it says, but, though calling themselves “christian” in the same sentence as “patriot” should also know that “their” GOP would have Jesus tarred and feathered, tied to a rail and thrown on the nearest cattle car for immediate removal from town for his “unconstitutional, unamerican, liberal views”.
I, personally, believe it is treasonous to take American Workers tax dollars and give them away to corporations in order to make it cost less to outsource those same tax payer’s jobs AND then to rub salt in the wounds, to take more tax dollars from those same workers who now work for fewer dollars and give those tax dollars to the same corporations as a windfall tax BREAK for keeping those jobs out of America.
As far as the “precious” Ron Paul goes, though he’s only right about the FED and the wars, might have a whole lot more credibility on his monetary policies IF he did not own several Gold Mines and millions of dollars of interest in Mining Corporations.
July 23rd, 2011 at 9:51 am
Name one great thing that China is good for that has brought any improvement of joy into any society. I’m coming up empty too. This is a useless, godless society and ppl who would be completely unnmissed and unnoticed if they ceased to exist today. So, why are we letting them having any influence in America? Because we are spending more than we should on frivolities that we can do without like war, oil, etc. The idea of American lifestyles becoming like anything China is a boring, bleek perspective. But consider that we are responsible for letting their boring asses have a say in our culture. Nations do not lend without influence in return. Without their money… we’d forget them by morning.
July 24th, 2011 at 11:34 am
I couldn’t agree with you more. These neophites are traitors. Not to a foreign threat, but from a domestic ones. So, if not traitors at least “white collar terrorists”. Everytime our society has adopted new laws it has come from growth. (with the exception of prohibition) these issues are settled for the most part. The republican party has become this frankensteins monster with a T-Partly head. There’s no sanity there. There’s only trying to maintain power and attempting to destroy the progress of the United States of America by dismantling our institutions and re-defining the Constitution in their political terms. You cannot re-define history. you can uncover new information which may the historical record, but you cannot change history’s meaning unless you have FACTUAL PROOF to do so. The great thing about democracy is we can vote them out, impeach them or have them arrested and removed from office. In any course we just have to wait a little while longer for an election. Then the republican party will really know what the “will of the american people is”, as the villagers revolt and put an end to this Frankensteins Monster! To serve in elected office is to participate with good reason and compromise in a great debate to provide solutions to help govern the people. Anything less is a derilection of of office. I understand differences of opinion and ideologies, but they can not and we cannot allow them to trump or allegience to this country. The stakes are just too high.
Ken L. Ramberg
Citizen
August 16th, 2011 at 11:14 pm
GOP means: George Orwell’s Prophesy. Remember? “ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS”.
I am totally ashamed of being on the same farm as these pigs (GOP)! Why don’t we just admit the fact that we are dealing with a bunch of bigots
Just read the definition:
A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs. The predominant usage in modern English refers to persons hostile to those of differing race, ethnicity, religion or spirituality, nationality, inter-regional prejudice, gender and sexual orientation, homelessness, various medical disorders particularly behavioral disorders and addictive disorders…”
Now, does this definition fit within our professed (CHRISTIAN) political leadership, especially related to the poor, old, children, jobless, sick, or any other disenfranchised person in this UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Until, WE THE PEOPLE…learn the meaning of RESPECT: Just read this:
Respect denotes both a positive feeling of esteem for a person or other entity (such as a nation or a religion), and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling of regard for the actual qualities of the one respected (e.g., “I have great respect for his judgment”). It can also be conduct in accord with a specific ethic of respect. Rude conduct is usually considered to indicate a lack of respect, disrespect, where as actions that honor somebody or something indicate respect. Specific ethics of respect are of fundamental importance to various cultures. Respect for tradition and legitimate authority is identified by Jonathan Haidt as one of five fundamental moral values shared to a greater or lesser degree by different societies and individuals.
Just examine these definitions and determine where you fit and why.
Jim May
August 18th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
They Created the Deficits, It Isn’t About Deficits:
Fiscal-conservative Ronald Reagan grew the national debt 186.1%.
Fiscal-conservative George H. W. Bush grew the national debt 53.8%.
The-tax-and-spend Bill Clinton grew the national debt 40.6%
Fiscal-conservative George W. Bush grew the national debt 77.4%.
A very large portion of this national debt was caused by unfunded and irresponsible tax cuts.
http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2011041407/they-created-deficits-it-isnt-about-deficits