So much more than politics

If I were one of Nancy Pelosi’s speech writers (and I assure you, I’m not), prior to the Impeachment trial of the former President, I’d be suggesting something like this;

Senators,

If a group of people violently invaded your home; armed and willing to do harm; actively threatening members of your family and causing fear, alarm and huge amounts of damage – would you say afterwards that, “It’s over now, so no action should be taken?

And if you knew that this mob, including many normally peaceful and otherwise well-meaning individuals had been actively encouraged by an influential third party to invade your home and to threaten your family, – would you say, “No matter. They’ve since moved away so there’s no point in condemning their actions.”?

Ladies and gentlemen, this is OUR House. This is the seat of our Democracy and, though of differing views, we are all a family within its walls. We are trusted to uphold the law and to do The Right Thing. Politics should never be the dominant factor in that thought process.

The evidence of the role our former President played in the recent attack against Capitol Hill is fully documented and seen by not only our own citizens but by people all over the world.

I would argue therefore that it’s not so much the former President who is on trial here but each and every one of us. As Senators, will we act as people of principle, of conscience, or as political animals thinking only of personal or political advantage?

The world is watching.

It’s watching to see if political parties and individuals are willing to say that right and wrong still matter. That telling the truth versus telling lies for personal gain – matters.

That the law – matters.

We do not live in a perfect world and not one of us leads a blameless life. That is to say, we can all point the finger and identify times when colleagues have fallen short or made a compromise of which we may not be proud. But at this time, we are defending that most basic and non-partisan of concepts – truth itself. 

If we now say that it’s okay to spread misinformation, resulting in terrible things happening, so long as it’s our own side which benefits, then we should all pack up and go home, as the law no longer has a foundation on which to practice.

Facts and evidence matter.

Actions and consequences matter.

Intentions matter.

What each and every one of us does with respect to the current Impeachment process matters, since, if we deny the evidence, silence our consciences and vote to acquit, then we are actively voting for anarchy.

As Democrats and Republicans alike, we have to live by rules, enshrined in law. This is not a vote for a political party where one side “wins” or “loses”. We are voting for rules, against which we must all be judged.  

Without rules, the bully and the liar will always win.

Without actively seeking and respecting facts and evidence, the person most skilled at playing the system will always win. The most persuasive will always win and we all become their fools.

No less than democracy and the rule of law are on trial here and we, as individuals, have the huge honour of being either the last line of defence for those values, or of being the generation which ripped them up and said “Every man for himself. Truth no longer matters. Only self-interest.”

So, ladies and gentlemen, you have a choice to make. The world is watching America and it will shortly get a glimpse, deep into our hearts.