Hold on...Not so Fast

Cheryll A. Bellamy, Attorney and Pastor

Bob Dylan's song, “The Times They Are A-Changing” is a song for our times. His song speaks about our government, families and two generations engaged in a war over status quo versus change. The prophetic revelations created by the pen of this songwriter underscore what real change meant for this nation. Dylan's songs from 1964 up 2010 have an eternal relevancy touching all generations. Their words strike a prophetic ring for 2010. Change has kicked all of us out of the frozen landscapes that used to define mainstream America. The amorphous times wait for no one.

Enough of the partisan drama - the curtain is closing on Congress. The implosion of the economy, job deficits almost as bad as in 1929 looming around us, and religious institutions steeped in traditions watching pop culture redefine morality, are just a few of the signs that we have to come to grips with. Change is here. America, like “Sleeping Beauty,” has been awakened with the kiss of change and her response is contingent on the importance of the long term destiny that will confront the coming generation.

The debacle of both political parties in the changing political climate created a rhetorical shift in politics. The conversation has changed. The older generation of politicians is more apt to stay in love with their ideologies, traditions, and failed policies while other voices are still clinging to the hope of needed change.

We hear the words of Dylan's song, “The Times They Are A-Changing” echoing in the chambers of Congress. Most Americans have heard the imminent message and voted for the candidate who espoused the need for change. The ears of Congress have turned deaf because for the past year they have engaged in playing games of partisanship. The American people waited patiently to see if both parties would extend their hands to achieve bipartisanship. The majority leaders on both sides of the political spectrum did not budge. Therefore, our elected officials became lost in the translation of the very thing they complained about.

If our Founding Fathers who labored over our Constitution two hundred years ago could see the behavior of our elected officials, their answer for today's politicians would be in one sentence: If they can't stand the heat than it is better for them to leave. Wisdom would define some politicians to be contumacious school children.

We forget that God is orchestrating our times. The conclusion of what is happening in Congress is a good thing. Change requires that the old must step down. In Biblical times, Saul's kingdom fell apart because he was out of sync with God's plan. David killed the giant with a slingshot and with that victory, his destiny was sealed to build a great nation.

The off-year gubernatorial elections that took place in New Jersey and Virginia coupled with the recent senatorial election of Scott Brown became a victory for the Republicans. For several days the political pundits’ talking points were centered on whether or not these recent elections were a referendum on President Obama's presidency.

President Obama will be held accountable to legislation that is passed under his executive watch. However, this administration does not work in a vacuum. Our government is composed of three branches of government, one being Congress. Most of our politicians in Congress are polarized by conservative and liberal views. The corruption of politics replaced the promise of integrity and honesty. Politics in the last several decades illustrate a new style where politicians say one thing about laws but break them themselves, playing the game of hide and seek from the American people, hoping they will not be exposed.

Many Republicans opposed the public option in the health care bill. They were concerned that health care will add to the national deficit, but at the same time, their political record indicates over the years that they, with many other congressional leaders, received monies from insurance and pharmaceutical companies. Many of our congressional leaders have been drinking milk from the golden cow, i.e., the insurance companies, while average American families struggle to pay their insurance premiums, hoping that they will not be turned away because of pre-existing medical conditions.

Two political parties are unremittingly held in gridlock. The Republicans are saying no to education, health care, infrastructure renewal, and reparation of the mortgage crisis which was overshadowed by less spending and a cold-hearted approach to American citizens having less.

Republican minority leader, John Boehner, further separated the Republican Party from President Barack Obama with an outright refusal to adopt a bipartisan working relationship. From the onset of this new administration, the Republican Party has resisted working with this President and as a result, they are now working under the title of being the “party of no.” The Birther Movement led by Republicans is perhaps one of the most ludicrous political mind control games ever invented in American History. What an embarrassment for our children to watch adults claiming that President Barack Obama is an illegal alien even when the Hawaiian Department of Vital Statistics gave proof of his authentic birth certificate. This tactic defied logic. Even our preschoolers can see through the smoke screen.

John Boehner, unable to understand the Constitution, embarrassed himself as an elected public official. The Constitution is not the same as the Declaration of Independence. He quoted the preamble of the Declaration of Independence while holding up a pamphlet of the Constitution before a crowd as other Republican leaders nodded their approval of what he was quoting. Our founding fathers would have blushed and, if alive, would have questioned if this congressional leader and others like him, are really competent to legislate. The law states clearly that the Constitution gives a permanence and stability to government and it is not designed to protect majorities, who can protect themselves, but to preserve and protect the rights of minorities against the arbitrary actions of those in power. The Constitution is the basis to which all other laws must conform. The Declaration of Independence is a moral document without inherent powers of exercising laws.

Criticism is the Republican Party's reaction to those who are being “out done,” instead of being motivated toward getting “more done.” To keep a fair-minded approach, both the Democratic and Republican parties have used weapons of dirty tactics, character slandering, and identity politics under the cloak of the American flag. Bob Dylan’s prophetic insight gives each of us a reason to pause and think on the veracity of his words. When men try to harness change, we then have a government out of control.

Come senators, congressmen, please head the call.

Don't stand in the doorway, don't block up the hall.
For he that gets hurt will be he that has stalled.
The battle outside raging will soon shake your windows
And rattle your hall
For the times, they are a-changing.