There is a growing pattern of arrogance among some in the House GOP leadership that is beginning to worry me. First it was the attempt to lower ethics guidelines to protect Majority Leader Delay, now it is the dismissal of Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey from his post as chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. The dismissal stems from what seems to be a refusal to follow the orders of the GOP hierarchy. Rep. Smith was supposedly a rather independent committee leader, and this rankled many in the hierarchy who like decisions to be made from the top down.
Lamenting the dismissal, one committee chairman stated, " We are looking more and more like the Democrats we replaced", and he is absolutely right. In 1994 the GOP was able to retake the House and Senate because they correctly pointed out that the Democrats longstanding control had corrupted them, and that they had taken their position for granted. By not only trying to lower our ethical standards, as well as shunning those who do not follow orders, we are acting in the exact same manner that we decried over ten years ago. The GOP hierarchy within the House seems to be convinced that they will have control forever, thus allowing them to do what they want without consequence. This complete arrogance will not go unnoticed forever, and one of these days we risk putting the Democrats back in a position to take everything away from us, just like we did to them.
It's time for the majority of Republicans in the House who are troubled by what is taking place to stand up for the principles we swept the House with, and I especially think it's time for someone other than Tom Delay to be leading the party.
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