In the book “The 5000 Year Leap”, the author explains how the founders devised a system of government with two wings. The compassion wing and the conservation wing; the compassion wing of government being the branch who sees the problems of the people and devises ways to fix those problems. However, this wing is not granted unfettered authority to do as it wishes.

The conservation wing was designed to check the compassion wing and decide whether or not what the compassion wing wants is affordable or an infringement on the liberty of the people. If the conservation wing of government lays down on the job, or just simply allows the other wing to much leeway, then what you get is a one winged eagle flying leftward towards tyranny.

deadeagle

One Winged Eagle

This would also be true were it a conservative congress and president headed in an uneven direction. Right now, President Obama is enjoying power unlike any other President in decades, perhaps even longer.

With the defection of Arlen Specter, and the sure to come joke from Minnesota, the democrats will enjoy a vaunted filibuster proof majority in the Senate; not to mention a huge majority in the House of Representatives. And now comes the retirement of Associate Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court. Obama will have his first crack at appointing a justice who will probably make Ginsburg look like your average Limbaugh fan.

It is true that Specter was not a conservative, he is pro-choice, and voted for the President’s $800 billion dollar stimulus bill; as well as questionable stances on illegal immigration and other issues, not really a major loss. And yes, Souter has been a major disappointment for conservatives, after being appointed in 1990 by George H.W. Bush he has proceeded to vote with the liberal block on the court for 19 years.

The problem is this, the conservation wing of the eagle is beginning to lay down on the job. Both wings are trying to be the compassion wing, and that makes for a lopsided flying bird which leads to tyranny. Tyranny is total power in the executive or rulers law. There are no checks on the executive from the legislative branch anymore, and as far as the judicial is concerned it’s split right now 5-4. After Souter’s replacement, it will still be split 5-4, but Obama will have the opportunity, if elected for a second term, to possibly appoint 4 to 5 justices. At that point all bets are off.

It will be increasingly harder for that other wing, after not being used for so long to fly straight again. Liberals probably don’t care much for what I’m saying right now, but what if the shoe were on the other foot? No matter which party is in power, no matter who is in the White House, it is vitally important for the eagle to use both wings when flying.