An opinion by Patricia L Johnson
They’re not in the majority yet, but already the word ‘impeachment’ comes to mind. House Republicans are making decisions that will affect the safety and long term security of the United States and should resign.
The original START [Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty] between the United States and USSR [Union of Socialist Republics] was signed on July 31, 1991 by U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. START I, as it’s been renamed, called for reductions in nuclear arsenals of both countries. This treaty became effective December 5, 1994 and expired on December 5, 2009. Click the following link for summary of START I http://www.dod.mil/acq/acic/treaties/start1/execsum.htm
The new treaty, START II was signed by President Barrack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on April 8, 2010, but will not go into effect until the treaty is ratified by both countries. START II must be ratified by Congress and Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) stated, November 16, 2010, he would block a vote during the lame duck session of Congress.
What that means is the treaty cannot be ratified until after the 112th session of Congress begins on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 [S.J.RES.40] and will require a total of 67 votes to pass.
The list of those “in the know” that want the treaty passed is extensive. These people realize the consequences to both the U.S. and the rest of the world of playing political games with nuclear weapons. Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, called the treaty “essential to our future security”.
The Republicans have two goals for the 112th Congress – tax cuts for the rich and ensuring President Obama does not serve a second term as President of the United States. When the security of the United States becomes secondary, it’s time for them to go. When they’re too ‘busy’ to meet with the President of the United States, it’s time for them to go. When they think banning $16.5 billion in earmarks is more important than ratifying a nuclear treaty, it’s time for them to go. And the list goes on and on.
Members of the U.S. Congress are put in office to pass legislation – not to see how many ways they can come up with to put our country on hold. If our legislators do not want to do what they’re paid to do, then they need to resign.
© 2010 Patricia L Johnson
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