Dear Editor: The framework for fundamentally transforming the United States of America from a Constitutional republic to what can best be described as a dictatorship is now in place, and so few seem to have noticed, or care. On December 17, 2013, the democratic majority in the U.S. Senate closed the door on any opposition by a simple majority vote. The U.S. Constitution offers both Houses of Congress the opportunity to review, debate, and offer improvements to any bill before it is sent to the President. A short-term bill, passed in the House, that would continue funding government was brought to the floor for debate. But in dictatorial style, the majority leader issued a “no-amendment” prohibition. To put it mildly, this is not only hypocritical, but treasonous behavior. To confirm the intent of Senate members, a vote under parliamentary procedure was requested, simply to put members on record on whether they approved of the majority leader’s mandate. All 54 Democrats voted yes. All 46 Republicans voted no. What that vote says, (is), “If you don’t agree with us, you don’t have a voice; go away.” This is clearly tyrannical tactics, and raises the question: Have we passed the point of no return?

Over the years, I have witnessed the progression of this transition toward Socialism/enslavement. Corruption has become a common occurrence in government, so much so, it does not surprise anyone if we don’t even hear about it. Having observed Congress, live, on C-SPAN regularly for some 27 years, it is indeed shameful to acknowledge that not one Democrat, and few Republicans, stand out to exemplify the character and integrity of a statesman and patriot, who unfailingly puts concern for the State of the Union first in every consideration. Being bipartisan does not mean ignoring one’s oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. 

There is currently a move in the Senate by Democrats to hastily confirm Obama’s nomination of judges to lifetime appointments, who would expectedly support his stated goal of continuing the destruction of the principles of individualism our nation was founded upon. A giant step in that effort can be seen in Obamacare, approved by the Supreme Court. There is no authority, nor even a hint of an obligation, for government to provide insurance to anyone, including Congress. The Tenth Amendment is unmistakably clear on this question, which reads, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Simply put, if that authority is not spelled out in the Constitution, it is not legal.

 Grady Mullins

Rockdale County