Let’s consider Speaker John Boehner’s last “success”. The Democrats offered up what they call a tax cut (see WHEN WILL WE TRY TO PUT AN END TO SUCH DECEIT?), and the Republicans in Congress said no. So Boehner sent his members home. Then with “unanimous consent” (not one of our spineless congressmen came back to object), Boehner passed this “tax cut” bill all by himself. Boehner took all the well-deserved criticism upon himself.

Think about it. All by himself, Speaker John Boehner represented all 435 members of the House of Representatives and passed a “tax cut” bill. Doesn’t that make Boehner bold, brave, and strong? Then why do we see stories like this?

• Payroll tax deadlock ends as US House caves from a paper in the United Arab Emirates
• The GOP’s slip is showing from our own Washington Post
• Republicans Give In from the Atlanta Journal Constitution
• Payroll tax deadlock ends as House caves from the Chicago Sun-Times
• Payroll tax cut, a crucial victory for Obama from the Hindu (an Indian newspaper)

Obviously, some people just don’t know boldness, bravery, and strength when they see it. Boehner is bold, brave, and strong. What should concern us is the nature of Boehner convictions. Was that legislation good for our country? Does Boehner want to gather more power to himself or does he want to keep his oath?

THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION: Article. VI., Clause 3

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Think about long and hard about this. Speaker John Boehner did not have the votes. The House of Representatives would not vote for this bill. So Boehner sent the House of Representatives home for Christmas. Then, by himself, he passed the same bill, and not one member returned to object — not one. Yet any one of them could have stopped Boehner. Any single one of them.

What is the problem with these people? What led Boehner to understand he could pass this reeking piece of legislation? Is it because he knows his members lack the conviction to stand up and fight? Have we — because we too lack core convictions — elected people whose only purpose is in the service of their ambitions?

Elections matter, but they matter only if each of us cares enough to stand up and fight for what we believe.