When it isn’t a noisy discussion Democracy is broken.

Democracy is a constant debate, amongst all citizens, about how to apply the rule of law most fairly, across the widest possible majority of the entire population, to create a stable, capably strong and prosperous society. This is a difficult task anywhere one tries, but it’s especially important that we do it for our ever-evolving society in these United States.

A few items that, when properly considered, might spark said noisy discussion…

First: those who are complaining that the Democrats are blocking access to drilling, for oil and gas, on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) should remember that the restrictions began in 1981, and involved only the California coast; enacted by, former CA governor, President Ronald Reagan. The protection was extended to the entire Pacific, Atlantic and eastern coast of the Gulf of Mexico (Florida’s gulf coast) by President George H. W. Bush.

Between January of 2001 and December of 2006 President George W. Bush could have rescinded the OCS protection, with the support of the Republican majority in both legislative branches of the federal government; didn’t seem so important while Jeb Bush was governor of Florida and the price of a barrel of oil was below $100.

Second: the US Supreme Court recently proved that a majority has not consulted a dictionary. There’s no singular noun or pronoun in the entire 2^nd amendment of the US Constitution. The plural noun, “people,” is modified by a phrase concerning the continued functioning of, “a well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State…”

Third: as a former, moderate Republican, I remember when debates were passionate and fiscal responsibility was paramount.

In the 1970s a movement of pseudo-conservatives took over the Republican party. Discussion was silenced and, “sound like us, shut-up or leave,” became the party line. I left, but I didn’t go away.

Government was bad mouthed, even as it was being hugely expanded. Fiscal responsibility was cast out. Prophesy of bad government was being fulfilled by pseudo-cons, in the guise of Republicans, who were governing badly.

I am officially aligned with the Democratic party these days, but would love to reach across the aisle and find the true, moderate Republicans to begin the process of cleaning up the enormous mess the pseudo-cons have made of our great country, these United States of America.