On Mitch McConnell

At least Mitch McConnell is consistent...when he rather unpatriotically declared that he would dedicate himself to the failed presidency of Obama (I actually remember a time when statesmen from both political parties would rally as loyal Americans around the new president knowing that, in spite of differences, we were nevertheless united as citizens of the same Union), the senator from Kentucky set sail on a course of unprecedented obstructionist positions which resulted in a kind of legislative gridlock heretofore unseen. But he has significantly upped the ante with his refusal to consider any nomination to the Supreme Court by the president thereby abdicating his constitutional duty to do so...an impeachable offense. Of course, the stakes are enormous when considering the next member to sit on the highest court in the land but our elected officials are mandated to carry out their respective duties: the president must nominate someone to fill a vacancy and the senate must give that person a fair hearing and, in good time, confirm a candidate as the next Supreme Court Judge. This is how our imperfect government works and, in the long view, provides an excellent example of how a system checks and balances helps to prevent one viewpoint becoming the sole voice of the people indefinitely.
It is laughably ironic that some of the most ardent defenders of a literal interpretation of the Constitution are also those advocating most loudly for Obama and the Senate to set aside their constitutional responsibilities. Fortunately, I am cautiously optimistic that McConnell and his like will not have the final word on this vital issue.