Congress: Government of Which People?

*Congress: Government of Which People?*
*[col. writ. 9/23/07] (c) '07 Mumia Abu-Jamal*

Several months ago, members of the Democratic majority in Congress ( especially those on the Judiciary committees), argued loudly against the White House’s actions in illegally wiretapping the phones and computers of Americans.

What made this illegal was the actions were taken without the oversight of the FISA court, a secret court (which, until quite recently, had its offices at the Justice Dept.), that functioned like little more than a judicial rubber stamp for the executive branch.

Under the F.I.S.A. (or Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act), the government had to seek a court order for most taps involving foreign contacts. If there was a serious threat to national security, such court orders could be issued retroactively – meaning the taps could take place, and then the court would issue a writ – after the fact.

For the Bushies, even this was too much, and now thanks to the Congress, even this isn't required.

That this happens now, under an allegedly Democratic majority Congress, proves the illusion of this faux democracy.

The FISA Act became law after the government was caught spying on, and interfering with, the legal, constitutional activities of Americans during the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Government didn't come forward and confess their violations. A group of anonymous activists raided the FBI headquarters in media, PA, and uncovered hundreds of files of activists and radicals all across the nation – and revealed these to the press.

The resultant scandal led to hearings in Congress (known as the Church Committee hearings), which uncovered government crimes against Americans.

In an infamous bipartisan compromise, congressional leaders agreed to the FISA provision, setting up secret courts to allow spying on Americans.

Now, with their latest laws, the Congress has made that which was illegal, legal – simply by passing a law.

They did it, not because they felt this was the right thing to do, but for the worst reasons – to not seem weak, and not open themselves to unflattering ads come reelection time.

Secret courts ? Secret wiretapping of Americans? What next – congressional approval for secret prisons? Secret torture?

Some may see this as hyperbole, but the political process is so twisted that there really isn't much that these politicians won't do to secure political advantage, or to protect one’s political flanks.

This is not a government ‘of the people, by the people, or for the people. ’

This is a quasi-democracy run on fear, privilege, and political advantage.

The Constitution is a minor obstruction that can be ignored in times of danger – like election time.

We shouldn't be surprised that so many feel that elections are a waste of time.

--© ’07 maj