Ghost Of Nixon Past - Part 1

Having been away on vacation for a week has caused me to fall behind in responding to more shenanigans from the Washington political class. They are a never ending source of amusement, disgust, and wastes of money. However, tonight's post is very serious. A disturbing trend is becoming evident with the Obama administration. It appears that rather than debate, discuss and compromise on the issues, the Obama administration would rather try to intimidate those that have the audacity to disagree with them. Three examples are listed below and come from a letter I sent to my Democratic Senator this morning:

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Senator Nelson:

I have never voted for a Republican for national office in my life so this is not coming from a disgruntled Republican voter. I would like to know your view on the following topics that I view as a tremendous threat to freedom in this country:

• It is no secret that Obama and the White House are out to do a hatchet job on Fox News. It is obvious that Fox has not been a supporter of the administration on any number of fronts. However, isn't the right to disagree in this country sacred? This administration is beginning to feel like Nixon's with the start of an "enemies list" headed by Fox News. I never watch Fox News but shouldn't they have a right to pursue their views without government coercion. What is your view?
• Recently it looks like this enemies list concept has extended to Henry Waxman who is investigating salaries at insurance companies who are opposed to the current health care reform bills. Do you agree with Waxman that the government should coerce those who disagree with the government's policies by attacking private market companies? Would it not be better to discuss and debate rather than attack like Obama and Waxman are doing?
• In the summer, Speaker Nancy Pelosi called those who disagree with the President as Un-American. Do you agree with Pelosi that those who show peaceful dissent are not true Americans? Do you agree with her that mature debate of differing opinions is against the country?

These are very troubling government actions regardless of who is in power and who these attacks are directed at. Kind of starting to feel like Iran where the government suppresses dissent and oppresses those who disagree. I would like a specific reply on how you support or actively oppose these freedom threatening actions by Obama, Waxman and Pelosi. Remember the words of Martin Luther King: "An injustice anywhere threatens justice everywhere."

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I also remember some of the words and antics of the Nixon administration. Nixon also had an enemies list like this adminstration and also had Spiro Agnew to try to bully and intimidate the press people who dared to disagree with Nixon's policies, much like the attack dogs that Obama has put after Fox News. The duration of the Nixon administration was not pleasant if you remember. The more he attacked the press and their right to publish the news as they saw fit, the more the country became divided, culminating in Watergate, impeachment, and a country whose ills were not addressed for a long time.

I have not yet heard back from the Senator which is no surprise. I seldom get any response from him, not even form letters or emails. Typical of the political class, "Hey. I am in office and am too important to deal with you until the next election." I will keep you posted on any response I receive, should make for some funny and convoluted spin. I will also keep you posted on any response I get from the White House since I copied the letter to them. I have NEVER received any kind of response from them despite Obama's pledge to have the most open administration ever. Just like his pledge to get us out of Iraq, close Guantanomo, fight for gay rights, etc., etc., etc., he is coming up short on this pledge also.

I labeled this post as Part One, I think there will be very many more Nixon-like actions from this administration, none of which contribute to freedom in this country.