The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Jeffrey Zelmanow
First a disclaimer. I participated in the No Kings movement as a matter of love of country. Our president has shown time and again that he is not the person who should be leading our country. Peaceful demonstration was a good thing. I know there are those who disagree, who can look and find some small thing that he is doing right. I think even the outcomes I can agree with are done in the wrong way. How can we support a person who does so much wrong? His inadequacies far exceed his strengths and his inadequacies may very well take us to places we don’t want to go.
No Kings has marshaled people to protest with nonviolent means to show our displeasure with the current administration. A good thing. The polls do not support him and his actions are becoming more and more destructive and dangerous.
The No Kings movement has mobilized us to hit the streets and protest what our president is doing. The message carried far and wide even beyond our borders and was picked up by news media all over the world. A good thing. But who have we been talking to? Millions have been mobilized; we carried signs in the streets and applauded ourselves, finding common ground and purpose voicing our displeasure in the direction our president is taking us. A good thing. What now?
We are united and well heard and yet our president continues to take us down the rabbit hole. It will take us years, decades, maybe never to correct the course he is taking. Our country has stood for better in the past and we have the strength to get back on course. We are no longer the best example of what a people should be. The shining example that America has shown is being tarnished.
How has he been able to do the damage he has done, and will continue to do? Our system of government under our Constitution is not currently working. It is broken. Why? Our elected officials in the House and in the Senate have been silent, corrupted, or just plain ineffective in assuming the roles we elected them to do. That includes elected officials on both sides.
Whether they are hiding from town meetings or gathering on the steps of the Capitol, they are not getting it done. Yet this branch of government has the means to stop the rampage. All they have to do is the job they were elected to do. The job they swore to do under the Constitution.
The time has come to direct our efforts in the hope of holding them accountable. Congress, under its inherent powers, is the best next hope for our country. Up to now though Congress has abrogated its powers and has become totally ineffective as a legislative body. We should demand more, not only from our Republican brothers and sisters but from the entire body.
Protesting what the president is doing has not been effective. Is the president listening? Congress has the power to change this if only it will act. The time is now to direct our efforts toward Congress if we want to rein in our president — which is exactly what was expected under our Constitution. All our efforts should be directed toward this, the most effective means to right the course.
Call upon our senators and representatives to take the ball and carry it. If we take to the streets it should be directed toward Congress, at the capital for those who can make it to Washington DC and the rest of us at the local offices of our representatives — Republicans, Democrats and independents. It is clear that they must work together to act. Make them do it. That is what has been happening in Congress, for most part, since our Constitution has been established. If it is too difficult for members to do so let us get rid of them. In the meantime we must become more effective in directing our efforts toward those who can make a difference. Those sitting in Congress. We are the ones who can right the wrong if we insist our representatives act.
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