Supremely Redundant

Judge Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings seem to have confirmed one very blatant reality in our currently flawed political system, partisan behavior is as bad if not worse than ever. While the GOP is of course frightened by the realization that a Latina woman might have a say in the most important judicial decisions of our time and rightfully so, they are for the most part old white men, they cannot come out and say that their opposition is largely based upon their own prejudices. This would not become the party of Lincoln ( I know, Abe is turning in his grave and has been for decades now). Instead they mask their fury as disgust for this woman's remarks about latina women and white male judges because she must obviously think she is better than said white male judges and white men in general, and they cannot stand an effront to the white male power structure that gave them their dominance in the legislative and judicial branches of our government for lo these many years. Let's tell it like it is good old boys of the GOP, you cannot stand this uppity latina questioning your hierarchy. Guess, what? She's right. A latina woman's experiences will influence her and make her judge things in a certain way, just as you and your cronies have done with our laws for many many years. I am not saying she should go in lock, stock and barrel and rage against the white man but a little variation in the thought process of our highest court is only a healthy thing if we are to survive in the uncertian future. Our country is more diverse than ever. It is high time our government started to reflect that in a real tangible meaningful way.

This behavior is all so mundanely predictable and it is not all about deep seeded prejudice. In American politics today the opposition feels the need to puff up and be contrarian to the nth degree because I suspect it has become their only strategy. It has become the norm. Our society is a bit lazy if you haven't noticed and it goes all the way up to the top, our leaders. Why strike a conciliatory tone in matters of massive importance of which the appointing of a Supreme Court justice is merely a drop in the bucket? Partisan politics is simply rote behavior by lazy uninspired pessimistic people in cold difficult times when we need more from those who lead us. We need compromise, hard work, effort and forward progress. I don't know about you but I heard an awful lot of non-partisan promising being bandied about just before I cast my vote in the last election. I suppose it was naive to think it would finally be attempted when the easy way is to continue butting heads while the excrement hits the fan.

Judge Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings continue our now well crafted tradition of partisan politics. This time the Republicans brandished their opposition with the now requisite pride. They aren't the only ones and take that as a hint Democrats. You play the partisan game too although probably not nearly as well. I think you tend to catch your reflections in the mirror sometimes and your conscience gives you a little kick in the gut. That being said, the partisan game is a non-partisan disease. It is bad for the mind and the soul and the heart of our country.
Yet again this was blatantly played out in the Sotomayor hearings. It is all so supremely redundant, don't you think?

© 2009 Paul Caracciolo. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.