Whether these freshman legislators deliver on their promises is yet to be seen. History is not on the side of those who desperately depend on these lawmakers to follow through on their campaign commitments.
A popular gambit for recently elected representatives and senators, for example, is the denouncement of earmarks and the fiercely worded call to arms to rid Washington of this brand of wasteful spending. That’s all fine and good. But, how many of the self-described “revolutionaries” will dedicate themselves to tirelessly striving to abolish, absolutely abolish, every agency, department, program, and “entitlement” that is not specifically authorized according to the enumerated powers granted Congress in the Constitution? It is easy to join in the fray and make a show of grand gestures swatting at the gnat of “earmarks” while simultaneously swallowing whole the multi-humped camel that is the perpetuation of an unconstitutional bureaucracy.
Regardless of the sincerity of these Tea Party touted congressmen, they will face opposition from many in their own party, the entrenched leadership that will not go gentle into that good night. Years of “same ol’, same ol’” sedentary comfort have lulled many Republicans into a sort of stupor, despite once having been good foot soldiers themselves who came to power after the victory in the Reagan and Gingrich revolutions. The smell of victory is often soporific.
It is up to the voters that elected these “revolutionaries” to monitor their every speech and vote in order to hold them accountable for the vows they made while campaigning under the banner of the Constitution.
