Today, strong words were spoken at the U.S. Capitol by President Biden, Vice-President Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi while a solemn ceremony was conducted on the House floor to honor those members of law enforcement who had braved the insurrectionists who breached the Capitol one year ago today. The only Republicans who bothered to show up for this ceremony were Congresswoman Liz Cheney and her father, former Vice-President Dick Cheney.
Congresswoman Cheney, of course, is the Vice-Chair of the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack otherwise known as the January 6th Committee. This committee came about because Republicans refused to convene a bipartisan body like the 9/11 Commission. Cheney and Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger are the only Republican serving on the January 6th Committee. Kinzinger is not seeking re-election while Cheney stands a good chance not to win the GOP nomination in Wyoming's sole congressional district. Cheney and Kinzinger have chosen to die standing rather than live on their knees to worship at the altar of Trump.
In America, we have two main political parties. But only the Democratic Party, whatever its shortcomings, believes in democracy. Republicans only believe in democracy when they prevail and cry fraud if they don't and are making a concerted effort to suppress the will of the people.
Time is running out for the January 6th Committee because at this time a year from now we could have Republicans controlling both Houses of Congress. If this is the case then January 6, 2023 could turn from a solemn day to one of sordid delight.
Time is at hand for American democracy. The January 6th Committee must shine a light on the darkness which motivated President Trump and his minions from preventing the peaceful transfer of power and the violence they encouraged and fomented with nationally televised hearings. It may not result in Trump and his minions being held accountable for their actions. After all, the Supreme Court may accede to Trump's request to block the January 6th Committee from accessing his records. But it might give voters, particularly those with independent views, pause from giving Republicans back the reigns of power. If voters do give Republicans the reigns of power then they will never willingly relinquish it even if the electorate declares they have overstayed their welcome.
On the Fourth of July last year, I questioned whether America would reach its 250th anniversary in great part due to what occurred a year ago today. Those questions still remain and will remain so long as nearly 80% of Republicans refuse to accept the fact that Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump. They might as well tell us the sun doesn't rise in the east, that the earth is flat or refuse to take a life saving vaccine. Oh wait!
There is still time for American democracy to prevail. But a significant portion of Americans seem determined to learn things the hard way if they are prepared to learn at all.
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