Back When Boehner Took Principled Stands

When John Boehner was a Freshman in Congress, he was one of the “Gang of seven” that took on the House Banking Scandal, that implicated both Democrats and Republicans, and the House Post Office Scandal that implicated and eventually led to the conviction of Democrat Dan Rostenkowski.

Looking back on his involvement with the Gang of Seven, he has said “I think showing the American people that there are people willing to take a principled stand in Washington is a very good thing.”

Ever since the tea party phenomenon began in early spring of 2009, it has been diminished, maligned and scourged by the press, and the Democratic Party. But in 2010, the Republican Party embraced it as it was becoming clear to them that they could capitalize on it’s army of volunteers. Many “Tea Party Republicans” ran for office and won in 2010, and those Republicans who won who did not necessarily align themselves with the tea party, still sought their endorsements. Tea party favorite Sarah Palin was also a much-sought after endorsement by tea party Republicans and establishment Republicans alike.

The tea party, though called many things, consists of average American people who have set aside time in their lives to push back against liberalism in America, and bring the United States back to it’s founding. There is no other nation in the world that is governed by it’s people. Tea partiers can plainly see that our representative republic is slipping away, and unless we do something about it, it will be gone.

Yet, when Republicans were given stage and forum time by the tea party to express their views during the election season last year, they assured their potential army of volunteers that they would do everything they can to stop the spending in DC, balance the budget, defund and repeal Obamacare, and stand up for the average folks of America.

Now, when the Republican leadership in the House and people like John McCain in the Senate have exerted their pressure to quell a rebellion in the House by Tea Party Republicans, they do so by lashing out at the tea party, average Americans.

Biting the hand that feeds you is a dangerous practice.

John Boehner was once a freshman who wanted to end the corruption in Washington DC. He took a principled stand against what was some of the most egregious abuses of taxpayer money. Now, it would do him good to remember the words he spoke while reminiscing of the time when he too, took a principled stand regardless of party.

“I think showing the American people that there are people willing to take a principled stand in Washington is a very good thing.” Indeed.