A Cathedral of Avarice?

I often wonder how the Founding Fathers would view what has become of our country today.

(HARRISVILLE, N.H.) - What would make our elected representatives totally ignore the electorate they are supposed to be representing? What would make them insert pork barrel spending into every bill, thus crippling the U.S. taxpayer over time?

What is it that drives them to regularly make promises they know that they cannot keep? What makes them build alliances with entities that practice the very evils our country condemns?

What has become of the things that we, as a people, once cherished... Things such as Justice, Freedom, Liberty, Honesty, the belief that ALL men are created equal, and that ALL men have certain inalienable rights endowed by their Creator? What has become of our government “of the people, by the people, and for the people”?

I have an opinion on this matter: The United States has become known far-and-wide for its support of the belief that a separation of church and state should exist and be honored. Yet, it appears to me that religious services (of a sort) are regularly held within the halls of Congress.

What were once hallowed halls where legislative genius was practiced has become what could be seen as a Cathedral of Avarice. A Cathedral where Power appears to have become the “Religion of State” with Corruption the hymn that is sung and Lies the prayers that are chanted.

The lobbyists who represent special interest groups make-up the congregation and gladly fill the collection baskets passed by the Deacons who we have come to know as Congressional Representatives and Senators. Every collection goes to feed GREED... the ultimate deity they worship... a deity that has a dollar-sign ($) as it’s icon.

Did the Founding Fathers envision our Senators and Representatives serving life terms? I doubt it!

To be honest, if the pay structure and honesty that existed in the time of the Founding Fathers existed today, none of these elected officials would want to serve life-long terms. Many of the Founding Fathers ended-up bankrupt as a result of the service they rendered to our country and its people.

They traveled to and from the nation’s capital at their own expense in their own conveyance. They were away from home for weeks and months at a time in the service of our country and its citizens.

I often wonder how the Founding Fathers would view what has become of our country today. How would they feel about what goes on in the halls of Congress? Would the likes of Thomas Jefferson take-up a cat-o-nine-tails and whip the money-changers from the temple?

Would he burn the Cathedral of Avarice to purify the ground it stands on of the evils that have taken place there . . . evils perpetrated against the citizens the world and of the nation they founded?

Well, if he did, it wouldn’t be the first time that particular patriot warmed his hands at the fires of Justice, Liberty, and Equality... but, that is just my opinion!

Writer Robert Collinsworth is an American who isn't hesitant to talk about the good side of his country, and that is a welcome thing in this day and age. Salem-News.com admittedly, is very critical of both American politics, as well as those of other nations that we perceive is being wrong in their motives and actions. At the same time, within these structures we criticize, are many outstanding people who make each day a better place for all those around them. They embody and personify the American spirit that is sometimes fleeting, but always present. These are some of the things Robert takes into account when writing commentary that is designed reach people, to "get them thinking" in his words, and indeed it does. Salem-News.com's goal is for all people to be on the same page, we appreciate Bob's more conservative approach toward that same goal."

You can write to Bob Collingsworth at this email address: colli2@webryders.net