TUESDAY WITH TYLER: CONGRESS 'RETOOLS' AMERICA

[FCTP]

The outcome of the so-called healthcare "reform" debate and legislation in Washington this week should not have surprised any journalist who has ever worked in the nation's capital.

Closed doors, deal-making, skullduggery, extortion, payoffs, arm-twisting and betrayal have been the tools of "democracy" there for years.

Our elected "leaders" in Congress and at the White House, however, retooled the federal government and bludgeoned Americans in ways most veteran observers have never witnessed.

Some of the constitutional and legislative sins were:

-- Congress obliterated the separation between the legislative and executive branches

-- Congress perverted the legislative rule-making process to save the
presidency

-- Members of Congress granted special status to several states whose lawmakers pulled the plough for the president

-- Thousands of Americans -- mostly Tea Party members -- who traveled to Washington to be heard on the issue were shunned

-- Washington Beltway insiders used the chummy national media to distort the events

-- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi emptied her bag of tricks, even playing the race card in an inappropriate "in-your-face" way

-- Ringer Democrats, including Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan, caved to the call of the party to pry open federal abortion funding.

The winds of war started sweeping across Washington in the wake of the 2008 elections when Democrats gained control of Congress and the White House. The plans to impose their will on Americans began taking shape then.

This fight over healthcare is likely the first skirmish in long-running war over key issues that will forever change the character of America. Battles will heat up as the November midterm elections approach.

And don't forget, the world is watching as the United States crumbles from within, enemies maneuver beyond our borders and the cornerstone of the country -- the Constitution -- is subverted in a political quagmire.

But the good-hearted, God-fearing, flag-waving members of the Tea Party Movement must remain strong and committed to prevail in efforts to restore America to its solid foundation.

The good news to remember includes:

-- The heathcare skirmish more clearly defines the tactics and morality of the adversaries

-- The nonpartisan, nonprofit movement, guided by its mission statement, continues to grow day by day

-- The faith of volunteer Tea Party participants remains strong

-- The name recognition and understanding of the movement is becoming clearer to the American people, despite the bias of the national media

-- New national leaders are emerging around the country to speak out on the key issues

-- Americans will be better informed about the plight of the country and how they again can resurrect it from corruption and decay

-- America still has the strongest and best-trained military force of patriots to defend it

-- And the Tea Party Movement is serving our beloved country, our children and the future of freedom

The grassroots planting of seeds will yield a better and stronger America. The future looks bright.