Senator DeMint Shakes Things Up a Bit

Politicio, an internet media site, published a rant against Senator Jim DeMint today. Politico accuses DeMint of a "flamboyant brand of politics" because he has taken his constitutional conservative position directly to the people of America through alternative media, blogs, Fox news interviews, and speeches aimed at Tea Party groups. He is charged with "Senatorial poor form because:

1. He openly backs candidates opposed by his party leaders
2. He isn't waiting "patiently to massage the legislative process" but instead cut in line ahead of older colleagues.

The final Politico charge against him is that his actions have made him unpopular with fellow Senators so he isn't welcome at congressional weekly caucus lunch bunches, but it does get him booked on Sean Hannity.

There is just so much juicy craziness in this article, that I hardly know where to begin! Let's break it down.

Part I:
If holding government accountable to the people it represents, attempting to restrain a federal take-over of state rights, pushing bills that disallow earmarks (The Wall St. Journal estimates DeMint saved Americans $17 billion by voting against wasteful pork projects), and if believing in the Constitution and his oath to uphold it is flamboyant, then I say "Flame on, Jimmy. Flame on."

Part II:
Politico, don't we want representatives who won't blindly follow party line or leaders, but instead use common sense for the greater good of our country? Isn't it a good thing that he isn't waiting patiently for the Whips and the VIPs to notice and reward him with a pat on the head for being a good boy and voting as they command? 

Part III:
Do we really want our Senators to "patiently massage the legislative process"? Aren't Senators-for-life (Kennedy, Lugar, Byrd, Thurmond to name just a few) part of the problem? Does not the solution rest with newly elected upstarts who are not content with business as usual, and are willing to shake things up?

Part IV:
The fact that DeMint isn't invited to the weekly lunch bunch is EXACTLY the point! His goal isn't to advance a life long career in politics, but to take care of the people's business and adhere to our Constitution. If the established network of GOP leaders aren't interested in that agenda, then DeMint has found a way to circumvent them and get his message out to the American people. And I say God Bless him.