We’re at that time again. The point when power, arguably the most important power in the world, shifts hands. This time it’s shifting hands from one camp to another, from Republican to Democrat. Historically, in other countries, this was a tenuous time, a period of chaos. It’s a period when whole governments could collapse beneath the weight of revolution, of change.
Fortunately, throughout our entire American history, power has changed hands relatively peacefully. Other than political leaders having their pride hurt from losing, no one is ever harmed. At least intentionally. I’m sure there are people who, celebrating so animatedly, have hurt themselves by accident.
During this time, however, when the Bush administration, debatably the most reviled regime ever, hands over the reins to the Obama administration, we should remember one thing. It is our right as citizens of a free nation to complain, to criticize if we feel that our elected officials are not serving our interests.
Ever since the founding fathers laid down the Bill of Rights for our Constitution, no, since Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, we have always had the right of a critic. And this right extends to criticizing the actions of our government. It’s free speech.
That’s correct, Bush pundits, I am coming to your defense, despite the fact that I bear no abject hate for the man myself. I henceforth declare that you have every right to speak your opinion on the Bush regime.
If you want to shout from the tallest tower your hatred of the old guard, feel free to do so. Let me amend that statement, you are free to do so. My only advice is that if you do so; make sure you educate yourself on the wrongs committed by the Bush administration. Instead of just proclaiming that Bush is a global terrorist for invading Iraq, back up your argument. There will be people who will argue with you, probably myself included, and the last thing you’d want for your cause is to stand there and look like an idiot digging through your brain for a retort. And don’t lie either; talking like a fool is one thing, slander is another.
Why then, you would ask, why should I, not a Bush-burner myself, encourage you to speak out against Bush? Because on Jan. 20, when our new president takes the oath of office, I shall not hesitate to fire with the guns that are my critical eye and tongue. No, I won’t immediately start hating Obama when he’s president; that’s coloring the waters before it’s settled. But I will be vigilant that he comes through with his great promises. I will watch that the Great Promiser does what he set out to do.
It’s not revenge for all the hate poured on Bush. It’s just fact. If a politician can’t take criticism, he shouldn’t be a politician. Entering the field of politics is tantamount to asking for criticism, and it’s usually not polite either.
The critic is also vital to the survival of a free nation. If we ever get to a point where we believe one of our leaders is so important to our country that we consider him irreplaceable, then we know the fire of democracy is flickering weakly. It if gets to the point that criticism of said leader is widely thought of as treasonous, then we have trod on dangerous ground. Abraham Lincoln was such a man, and I love the Great Emancipator as much as anybody with the 20-20 vision of retrospect, but at the time, he did do some things we today would consider the acts of a tyrant. He denied habeas corpus, a right we as free Americans greatly cherish. He imprisoned people who spoke out against him without trial. And throughout the country, Lincoln embodied the Union itself. To speak out against him was to invite verbal and perhaps bodily harm upon yourself.
Let’s not get caught in those murky waters again. Instead of deriding critics as pessimists, welcome their thoughts. It is through the voice of the critic, as well as the blood of the soldier, that the tree of liberty is protected.