We happened to see the Honorable Richard Shelby on MSNBC's (once again) Morning Joe (Monday, May 5, 2009), and it seemed he was decrying the continued bailout of some more of our financial institutions. And, for once, we seem to be in agreement with Mr. Shelby. We believe Mr. Shelby called to "let them fail" (much as he did for the Detroit automotive industry, "Richard Shelby: Auto Bailout Would Be a Mistake" - which we did disagree with). But, when we searched MSNBC's website, we failed to find specific reference to this tape. Are we "too fast on the draw" and does MSNBC need more time to upload this interview? We didn't think so, because they had already posted the interview with SF's Mayor Gavin Newsom - which we remembered following the Shelby interview. Or, is anything Mr. Shelby says just too hot to post on video? Perhaps the fault is ours, but we digress...
It seems that our Mr. Shelby has become an "absecessionist" - calling for the lopping off of some financial, business, governing or other type of institution(s) when it becomes financially, politically and/or personally expedient. (For example, consider the case of Alabama-related automotive companies versus Detroit automotive companies). Given the Detroit example, we think Mr. Shelby certainly has the political will to follow through and vote "Nay" on just about any forthcoming bailout bill. (Just what was his vote or stand on last weekend's mortgage revaluation vote last week)? We can't wait to see if he "changes his vote" - much like his political party.
Which makes us question, how can we know these government actions are right? If this is "Government for the people, of the people and by the people" - how can we (or Mr. Shelby) really know the answers without a vote by the people? Did you get to vote on bailing out the automotive companies and financial institutions? No, we didn't think so. Will you get to vote on the next bailout - if it comes to that? No, we didn't think so. Would you want to vote on it - or at least have your say about it? Yes, we thought so.
Which - to one way of thinking - could be government by the consensus. Have our ruling - errr, sorry, - elected officials lapsed into thinking that they know what to do through the collective? Has our government become a government via wiki? Are we now being governed by a Wikigovernment? Well, in other words, what do you think?
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