Elijah Cummings: "We Are In A Fight For The Soul Of Our Democracy"

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I wasn't on the same page as Congressman Cummings, but I did/do respect the man. I'm with those (not only on the right) who doubt the tales of significant Russian interference in our elections, for example. And I don't agree that only one side currently constitutes a danger to the republic--which I assume is his suggestion. But I definitely agree with this:

   For the unity and future of our republic, our Congress must reassert its constitutional obligation of oversight, seeking and obtaining the answers to serious questions of governance that, until now, have gone unanswered. We must perform this constitutional duty so effectively and convincingly that those Americans who support this president and his administration and those who disagree will reach a shared and united answer as to how our nation must proceed.
   I remain confident that we can fulfill this historic duty. To succeed, however, we will need our federal civil service and the Americans who serve us there to give us their complete and unbiased cooperation. To the extent that we are required to do so, we will enforce that cooperation through action in our courts, but I sincerely hope that this route will seldom be necessary. Toward this end, I will close with this pledge. In the words of my heroine, former congresswoman Barbara Jordan, from 1974:
   “My faith in the Constitution is whole; it is complete; it is total. And I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, [or] the destruction of the Constitution. I hope and trust that all Americans feel — and will do — the same.”

I also agree with his attitude toward Barbara Jordan, and with her attitude about the Constitution. This would likely be a better country today if she hadn't died so young.