by Ken King

It is not difficult to figure what to write about today. We, as Americans, have survived one of the most unethical administrations that our nation has ever witnessed. The last sleazy deal was Slick Willie's plea-bargain with Robert Ray. What a slap on the hand the Justice Department is giving Billy-boy. This admission by Clinton that he did knowingly provide false testimony to a Grand Jury is by Federal Law a felony. Specifically, it is a violation of 18USC1621 and 18USC1623. These two laws carry as punishment a fine or up to five years in prison or both. In addition to those sections of law are the sections concerning obstruction of justice. As he provided false information before the proceeding, he admits to the obstruction charge also as defined by 18USC1515 and applied at 18USC1505. Another fine or five years in prison or both is due for this. Now in an effort to stop all proceedings, and save his butt from jail, he enters an agreement with a Justice Department that is leaving town. Talk about timing of events, was this just a little more eleventh hour action or was it planned to avoid outrage? 

Now we come to the end of the Clinton-era where the law means nothing other than a minor fine and some other minor inconveniences to his ability to practice law, like who would really hire him. For punishment, all Willie has to do is admit that he lied, pay $25,000 in legal fees, and he is barred from practicing law for five years in Arkansas. What a deal. Will I get the same treatment the next time I'm before a court? I doubt it seriously. I guess I could always lie under oath too. It won't work though as who else but a high political figure, movie star, professional athlete, some other person of notoriety, or one of their relations gets this kind of justice. You, your friends, your family, and people like me would have been put away and made an example of. The person that should have been setting the example, as the leader of the greatest nation in the world is taking a path that has denigrated our judicial process. He has made a mockery of the process and prestige of our nation and we shouldn't forget how it was allowed to happen. 

My take on how it happened was that due to the state of disarray that the two party political system has given us. If we have one major problem that affects all of us more than the current political system, I would like to know what it is. We had the opportunity to rid ourselves of this excrement via conviction during the impeachment process but the inability of the Senate to understand their job resulted in their votes of 45 to 55 on the perjury charge and 50 to 50 on the obstruction of justice charge.

These Senators knew what we knew and they heard what we heard. They, better than others, should know the law as they are chartered with creating the laws that govern our behavior and it does apply to all, including the President. How in the world could they vote for acquittal? As the trustees of our nation, they were obliged to do their job in accordance with our laws. They failed miserably at their tasking and it is time for them to be replaced. All this because they felt a duty to their party. This is the problem with all of our current politicos. Instead of representing us all, they choose to target their efforts resulting in very little being accomplished, as they cannot find common ground. The political parties do not exist for the good of the people. They are in place for the power mongers that want to control our lives. They are nothing but leaches sucking the blood and money of the citizens as they work hard to keep us divided and at each other's throats. Many states have provisions in their laws calling for committees being comprised of members of each major party without provisions for minor parties or independents. The whole primary election machine is devised for just Democrats and Republicans. All others are left to themselves to determine the candidate that will represent them at the general election. 

It won't be long before the next series of elections take place and it is time to think about how we want the government to operate, after all it is ours. We decide whom it is making decisions for us and I am continuing with my practice of looking for those that can make agreements with those of differing views, those that have some basic idea of moving forward instead of backwards, and those with sincere dedication to public service. Additionally, I am setting a meager goal of locating ten non-voters that I will convert to voters. I will engage them in conversation, debate them when our views differ and, if necessary, transport them to their place of polling so that they vote. I am sick and tired of the chosen ones leading us around by our collective noses and I have figured that the only way to get something changed is by working at it instead of complaining about it. If a lot of us did this we might actually get more involved in making the choices that will result in a truer representation of what we want and need. Who knows, it might catch on.