D Tree's Blog
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"In every free and deliberating society, there must, from the nature of man, be opposite parties, and violent dissensions and discords; and one of these, for the most part, must prevail over the other for a longer or shorter time." - Thomas Jefferson
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Republicans tend to admit they are acting against working people because their unions tend to support Democrats.
Implicit in this argument is the notion that Democrats only support collective bargaining, because of the political benefit they get from union members.
In reality, Democrats' support for collective bargaining comes from a moral value system that Republicans just do not share.
Democrats tend to believe that workers have universal rights, and they should be protected from the potential abuses of those who would employ them.
The support of collective bargaining comes out of this moral foundation - and that's where Republicans and Democrats differ.
Now, the same can be said for Republicans: their opposition to worker's rights comes from a moral value system as well, its just a *different* one.
And that's good because we *should* have competing value systems in a free society; however, the outcome of this particular moral conflict will have a significant effect on the 2012 elections.
The outcome of this conflict will determine whether the American public believes that working and middle class families caused our deficits, or if the rich people at the top did.
If I was a betting person, I'd throw my lot in with the working and middle class - by sheer number, our representative will at the ballot box is formidable.
And its the same with events across the middle east - let them inspire working America to rediscover our majority!
Republicans tend to admit they are acting against working people because their unions tend to support Democrats.
Implicit in this argument is the notion that Democrats only support collective bargaining, because of the political benefit they get from union members.
In reality, Democrats' support for collective bargaining comes from a moral value system that Republicans just do not share.
Democrats tend to believe that workers have universal rights, and they should be protected from the potential abuses of those who would employ them.
The support of collective bargaining comes out of this moral foundation - and that's where Republicans and Democrats differ.
Now, the same can be said for Republicans: their opposition to worker's rights comes from a moral value system as well, its just a *different* one.
And that's good because we *should* have competing value systems in a free society; however, the outcome of this particular moral conflict will have a significant effect on the 2012 elections.
The outcome of this conflict will determine whether the American public believes that working and middle class families caused our deficits, or if the rich people at the top did.
If I was a betting person, I'd throw my lot in with the working and middle class - by sheer number, our representative will at the ballot box is formidable.
And its the same with events across the middle east - let them inspire working America to rediscover our majority!
Link
Tim Pawlenty calls working and middle class Americans "greedy" - while he does his best to make sure Bank of America and other big corporations PAY ZERO in Federal taxes.
Hey Tim, us hard working Americans who don't live off of campaign donations know a thing or two about *greed* and let me tell you what it looks like: Anti-working class politicians like you, who allow working Americans to lose their wages and homes, while you pander to and protect those who PAY NOTHING IN TAXES.
We pay 1/3 of our income, but the biggest corporations pay ZERO. How is that greed, Mr. Pawlenty? I dare you to explain it, but I know you won't.
You have unleashed the lion with this union-busting trickery; a movement has been unleashed to make the rich PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE. The working class has sacrificed enough already!
Tim Pawlenty calls working and middle class Americans "greedy" - while he does his best to make sure Bank of America and other big corporations PAY ZERO in Federal taxes.
Hey Tim, us hard working Americans who don't live off of campaign donations know a thing or two about *greed* and let me tell you what it looks like: Anti-working class politicians like you, who allow working Americans to lose their wages and homes, while you pander to and protect those who PAY NOTHING IN TAXES.
We pay 1/3 of our income, but the biggest corporations pay ZERO. How is that greed, Mr. Pawlenty? I dare you to explain it, but I know you won't.
You have unleashed the lion with this union-busting trickery; a movement has been unleashed to make the rich PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE. The working class has sacrificed enough already!
After their stunned silence during the Egypt uprisings, a frightened Al Qaeda released their first statement on the revolution, warning *against* democracy.
I love how the Egypt and other uprisings are such a smack-down of Al Qaeda. These protesters are showing that they don't need terrorists to bring change; On the contrary, they are proving that the tried and true method of nonviolent protest is the most powerful weapon a people can have. AQ was silent as these uprisings spread, and now they come out with a weak statement on the wrong side of history in their own supposed backyard. If indeed, the uprisings continue to spread across the Middle East and Africa, they will go further to defeat AQ than any of our wars so far.
I love how the Egypt and other uprisings are such a smack-down of Al Qaeda. These protesters are showing that they don't need terrorists to bring change; On the contrary, they are proving that the tried and true method of nonviolent protest is the most powerful weapon a people can have. AQ was silent as these uprisings spread, and now they come out with a weak statement on the wrong side of history in their own supposed backyard. If indeed, the uprisings continue to spread across the Middle East and Africa, they will go further to defeat AQ than any of our wars so far.
It will be interesting to see how far this spreads - and you can't help but notice the similar question being asked in the middle east (though on a much larger and dramatic scale); but it makes you wonder if our own "silent majority" is being awakened and inspired by events across the middle east.
On the other hand, sometimes it takes a threat Gov. Walker's, to unite the working and middle class. Statistically speaking, liberals outnumber conservatives. Yet it seems ever since the election of '08, liberals have been fragmented and lackadaisical... and in the meantime, the Tea Party captured the attention of the media, for its rambunctious theatrics.
Yet a CBS News poll found that 84% of self-identified tea partiers say their movement reflects the beliefs of most Americans - but overall Americans disagree:only 25% say their beliefs are reflected in the Tea Party, while 36% say they are not. cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20002529-503544.html
Somehow, liberals and progressives took off their shoes after the election of Barack Obama - maybe some being misguided and thinking we could just sit back and let the president do all the work.
I have often wondered if Obama and Democrats on some level *need* a strong Republican opposition, for them to become the fighting Dems I love. So far, what I see is working and middle class families outnumbering Tea Partiers 1000 to 1.
Tea partiers, and media outlets take note: *this* is what a true majority looks like.
On the other hand, sometimes it takes a threat Gov. Walker's, to unite the working and middle class. Statistically speaking, liberals outnumber conservatives. Yet it seems ever since the election of '08, liberals have been fragmented and lackadaisical... and in the meantime, the Tea Party captured the attention of the media, for its rambunctious theatrics.
Yet a CBS News poll found that 84% of self-identified tea partiers say their movement reflects the beliefs of most Americans - but overall Americans disagree:only 25% say their beliefs are reflected in the Tea Party, while 36% say they are not. cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20002529-503544.html
Somehow, liberals and progressives took off their shoes after the election of Barack Obama - maybe some being misguided and thinking we could just sit back and let the president do all the work.
I have often wondered if Obama and Democrats on some level *need* a strong Republican opposition, for them to become the fighting Dems I love. So far, what I see is working and middle class families outnumbering Tea Partiers 1000 to 1.
Tea partiers, and media outlets take note: *this* is what a true majority looks like.
We hear a lot from the Tea Party, about how their identity as gun owners is so important, and how they fear Democrats will take away their rights to guns; as a result, we see a lot of gun imagery and gun-themed campaigns in our politics today. People have even shown up at the president's speeches carrying loaded weapons.
While some say there is not much we can do to quell this violent trend in our politics, I disagree. I believe the violence we are experiencing today is a result of a dangerous equating of 2nd Amendment rights to 1st Amendment rights.
This misunderstanding of our constitutional rights is pushed by politicians in the Tea Party, and the folks that follow them.
So to all you people who believe you right to bear arms is somehow the same as political freedom, I'm hear to tell you its not: the people who were massacred in Arizona were exercising their *1st* Amendment rights of "peaceful assembly."
The Constitution treats your right to express yourself and air your grievances *very* differently than your right to bear arms. The Constitution specifically states that political expression and airing of grievances must be "peaceful."
Even when referring to the people's right to replace the government, the Constitution refers to your right to "petition" a.k.a. your right to VOTE, not your right to armed insurrection.
So all this talk about your freedom to express your gun-loving self needs to be put in context of the Constitution: you have a right to own firearms, but you have no right to bring those arms to political events - such actions are chilling to free speech, and act as an intimidation toward those who would disagree with you.
There is no place for the language of gun play, and the use of violent imagery, or the brandishing of weapons in our politics. I urge my fellow democrats to encourage, and to support an effort to ban guns from political events.
I am willing to bet the Supreme Court will eventually rule on such a separation. Owning a gun has nothing to do with free speech, and our Constitution says so.
While some say there is not much we can do to quell this violent trend in our politics, I disagree. I believe the violence we are experiencing today is a result of a dangerous equating of 2nd Amendment rights to 1st Amendment rights.
This misunderstanding of our constitutional rights is pushed by politicians in the Tea Party, and the folks that follow them.
So to all you people who believe you right to bear arms is somehow the same as political freedom, I'm hear to tell you its not: the people who were massacred in Arizona were exercising their *1st* Amendment rights of "peaceful assembly."
The Constitution treats your right to express yourself and air your grievances *very* differently than your right to bear arms. The Constitution specifically states that political expression and airing of grievances must be "peaceful."
Even when referring to the people's right to replace the government, the Constitution refers to your right to "petition" a.k.a. your right to VOTE, not your right to armed insurrection.
So all this talk about your freedom to express your gun-loving self needs to be put in context of the Constitution: you have a right to own firearms, but you have no right to bring those arms to political events - such actions are chilling to free speech, and act as an intimidation toward those who would disagree with you.
There is no place for the language of gun play, and the use of violent imagery, or the brandishing of weapons in our politics. I urge my fellow democrats to encourage, and to support an effort to ban guns from political events.
I am willing to bet the Supreme Court will eventually rule on such a separation. Owning a gun has nothing to do with free speech, and our Constitution says so.
When the President talked about winning the future, he began the campaign for 2012. And its a good thing. Better to start the campaign now and get as far ahead as we can, because its going to get *ugly*
Notice how none of the mainstream republicans wants to disavow the crazies on the fringe right? They refuse to call Birthers crazy; they allow their spokespeople to pervert American history.
Why won't they disavow this behavior? Because they plan to make use of these crazies and their slogans during the election.
All those hateful signs you see at TP rallies? That's a preview of some of the ads swiftboaters will be airing, and with unlimited corporate money now allowed *anonymously* in the campaign, we are going to see A LOT of those ads...
Sorry to say it, but get ready for a wild ride... its going to be nasty, and they will put *everything* they can into defeating this president.
Its time to start forming our coalition, and time to get the word out: the Recovery Act stopped the recession, and brought down taxes to the lowest point in 50 years.
Democrats have turned the country in a new direction, and have opened the door to a brighter future. All we need to do now is step through that open door into the 21st Century, like the competitive, innovative country we know how to be.
Notice how none of the mainstream republicans wants to disavow the crazies on the fringe right? They refuse to call Birthers crazy; they allow their spokespeople to pervert American history.
Why won't they disavow this behavior? Because they plan to make use of these crazies and their slogans during the election.
All those hateful signs you see at TP rallies? That's a preview of some of the ads swiftboaters will be airing, and with unlimited corporate money now allowed *anonymously* in the campaign, we are going to see A LOT of those ads...
Sorry to say it, but get ready for a wild ride... its going to be nasty, and they will put *everything* they can into defeating this president.
Its time to start forming our coalition, and time to get the word out: the Recovery Act stopped the recession, and brought down taxes to the lowest point in 50 years.
Democrats have turned the country in a new direction, and have opened the door to a brighter future. All we need to do now is step through that open door into the 21st Century, like the competitive, innovative country we know how to be.
There's an article in the huffingtonpost today that talks about the how Republicans try to have it both ways when attacking government health insurance, while simultaneously defending Medicare.
It's an good piece I suggest reading, because it points to a deep contradiction in Republican ideology. In the article, Sharron Angle is quoted criticizing the health insurance reforms enacted by Democrats.
Republicans like Angle cynically state the solution to health reform is "simple." I am so sick of hearing that ridiculous talking point. How naive you must be to think that health insurance reform will magically happen if we just have faith in the oh-so-great "free market."
Y'mean that great free market that inflated real estate values, traded toxic derivatives, and made rich creeps richer while bankrupting our nation? That free market that allowed insurers to jack your rates and discriminate against people with preexisting conditions, while making billions of dollars profit? The one that inflated gas prices and collected billions Americans lost jobs?
If we are to believe the conservative dogma about the oh-so-great and magical free market, we are to understand that health insurance companies would reinvest their profits in new jobs and better services. That Wall St. would put those profits from selling grandma's house back into our economy. That Meg Whitman would hire American workers at a decent wage.
But that doesn't happen does it? No, Ms. Angle the problem is not too much government intervention in the free market, it is a free market gone wild.
We have seen direct evidence of the complete failure of deregulation and unrestrained greed, in the 8 years of Republican rule our country endured.
Democrats have turned us in a new direction. We can either go forward, or we can return to the same failed policies that bankrupted us in the first place.
It's an good piece I suggest reading, because it points to a deep contradiction in Republican ideology. In the article, Sharron Angle is quoted criticizing the health insurance reforms enacted by Democrats.
Republicans like Angle cynically state the solution to health reform is "simple." I am so sick of hearing that ridiculous talking point. How naive you must be to think that health insurance reform will magically happen if we just have faith in the oh-so-great "free market."
Y'mean that great free market that inflated real estate values, traded toxic derivatives, and made rich creeps richer while bankrupting our nation? That free market that allowed insurers to jack your rates and discriminate against people with preexisting conditions, while making billions of dollars profit? The one that inflated gas prices and collected billions Americans lost jobs?
If we are to believe the conservative dogma about the oh-so-great and magical free market, we are to understand that health insurance companies would reinvest their profits in new jobs and better services. That Wall St. would put those profits from selling grandma's house back into our economy. That Meg Whitman would hire American workers at a decent wage.
But that doesn't happen does it? No, Ms. Angle the problem is not too much government intervention in the free market, it is a free market gone wild.
We have seen direct evidence of the complete failure of deregulation and unrestrained greed, in the 8 years of Republican rule our country endured.
Democrats have turned us in a new direction. We can either go forward, or we can return to the same failed policies that bankrupted us in the first place.
Wrong as they may be, conservatives are fired up and angry enough to get to the polls - while progressives have been infighting and losing inspiration.
I'm glad to see some of that changing in these last days before the election: the conservative movement continues to fracture as a result of tea party radicalism, while Democrats appear to be surging. But will it be enough?
A full forced sweep across the country needs to be made by the president, former presidents, and - yes - Hillary Clinton. Our attitude should be more pro-active. We have accomplished a lot to be proud of in 20 short months. We need to take responsibility and stand strong for the reforms we have passed in such a short time: We stopped the recession, we ended discrimination for preexisting conditions, and we covered millions of uninsured Americans, while remaining budget neutral.
Democrats have made smart and responsible decisions that have turned our country in the right direction, and opened the door to a brighter future.
Now its up to use to walk through that open door. But we can't do it, unless Democrats unify and work together supporting each other, and standing strong for progressive values.
The current political climate is angry and chaotic. But its only a threat to Democrats in that we are not yet serious about forming our governing coalition.
Its time for liberal, progressive, and conservative Dems to put aside our differences and devise a rational power-sharing agreement. We will support each other over the short-term, in the name of achieving the long-term goals we all share: a prosperous, innovate nation that will lead the clean energy revolution, a restoration of the middle class and the American Dream, and smart fiscal policies.
I'm glad to see some of that changing in these last days before the election: the conservative movement continues to fracture as a result of tea party radicalism, while Democrats appear to be surging. But will it be enough?
A full forced sweep across the country needs to be made by the president, former presidents, and - yes - Hillary Clinton. Our attitude should be more pro-active. We have accomplished a lot to be proud of in 20 short months. We need to take responsibility and stand strong for the reforms we have passed in such a short time: We stopped the recession, we ended discrimination for preexisting conditions, and we covered millions of uninsured Americans, while remaining budget neutral.
Democrats have made smart and responsible decisions that have turned our country in the right direction, and opened the door to a brighter future.
Now its up to use to walk through that open door. But we can't do it, unless Democrats unify and work together supporting each other, and standing strong for progressive values.
The current political climate is angry and chaotic. But its only a threat to Democrats in that we are not yet serious about forming our governing coalition.
Its time for liberal, progressive, and conservative Dems to put aside our differences and devise a rational power-sharing agreement. We will support each other over the short-term, in the name of achieving the long-term goals we all share: a prosperous, innovate nation that will lead the clean energy revolution, a restoration of the middle class and the American Dream, and smart fiscal policies.
If you haven't seen it yet, there's a video on Huffingtonpost today, in which Arianna and Mike Huckabee find some common ground about capitalism and the middle class. Its a great discussion, and I think it illustrates some interesting ways that progressives can engage Republicans on common ground.
I would love to see more conversations like this between people from different political backgrounds, because ultimately our system of government predetermines some kind of compromise in the end, regardless of who is in power.
What's interesting it that despite party differences, Mike Huckabee and Arianna Huffington agree on quite a few things.
For example, they both agree that an erosion of the moral basis of capitalism is destroying the American middle class. But Mike seems to reflexively think this erosion is because of too much government intervention, and Arianna makes a great point that government itself is, in fact bought and paid for by capitalist interests.
These special interests purchase influence on legislation to benefit their greed - even if it hurts the country in the long run. In fact, that's how we got where we are now.
What we need here, is a way to persuade conservatives like Huckabee that government is the problem inasmuch as it is influenced by lobbyists and special interests.
From this perspective, passing health insurance reform and Wall St. reform was about government acting morally, to restore a sense of fairness to industries that had become too powerful and abusive of the American people.
We progressives wanted stronger reforms, but our conservative brethren thought if we tampered any more with the system we must be "socialists," so we went for a moderate approach. In the end, we implemented reforms that in fact changed a lot of things: we ended discrimination for preexisting conditions, and covered millions of uninsured Americans. We ended the insider dealings of Wall St. by requiring derivatives to be traded openly. And we stopped the recession, while at the same time investing in green industries that will lead our country into a new era of prosperity and freedom from foreign oil.
Socialists? Tyrants? Hardly. Democrats have acted morally and responsibly, and history will vindicate them for how much they achieved in two short years.
I would love to see more conversations like this between people from different political backgrounds, because ultimately our system of government predetermines some kind of compromise in the end, regardless of who is in power.
What's interesting it that despite party differences, Mike Huckabee and Arianna Huffington agree on quite a few things.
For example, they both agree that an erosion of the moral basis of capitalism is destroying the American middle class. But Mike seems to reflexively think this erosion is because of too much government intervention, and Arianna makes a great point that government itself is, in fact bought and paid for by capitalist interests.
These special interests purchase influence on legislation to benefit their greed - even if it hurts the country in the long run. In fact, that's how we got where we are now.
What we need here, is a way to persuade conservatives like Huckabee that government is the problem inasmuch as it is influenced by lobbyists and special interests.
From this perspective, passing health insurance reform and Wall St. reform was about government acting morally, to restore a sense of fairness to industries that had become too powerful and abusive of the American people.
We progressives wanted stronger reforms, but our conservative brethren thought if we tampered any more with the system we must be "socialists," so we went for a moderate approach. In the end, we implemented reforms that in fact changed a lot of things: we ended discrimination for preexisting conditions, and covered millions of uninsured Americans. We ended the insider dealings of Wall St. by requiring derivatives to be traded openly. And we stopped the recession, while at the same time investing in green industries that will lead our country into a new era of prosperity and freedom from foreign oil.
Socialists? Tyrants? Hardly. Democrats have acted morally and responsibly, and history will vindicate them for how much they achieved in two short years.
I hope you have all been following the story about how Lou Dobbs had illegal immigrants working for him, because this issue - along with the recent Meg Whitman scandal - says something very important about the difference between Democrats and Republicans.
Dobbs crusaded on his show against companies who hire illegal immigrants. Dobbs made it clear that he thinks there is NO excuse, even if a subcontractor hires them.
Now, we find out that Dobbs is hiding behind the same excuse. The problem with Lou, is that he is a hypocrite with his "Do as I say, not as I do" attitude. He isn't even denying that contractors hired illegal workers.
The larger point that needs to be made, though, is this: Dobbs, Whitman, Romney, and all the other *wealthy* right-wingers who have been caught benefiting from illegal workers, are addicted to cheap labor.
And that's what really gets me. These people are RICH, for gosh-sakes, they have PLENTY of money to hire American workers at a decent wage if they practiced half the things they preach!
Don't blame the immigrants, who work harder for less than our own citizens. Blame the rich folks like Dobbs, Whitman, and the rest, who have every opportunity to hire American workers, but who are so cheap they just won't do it.
These rich right-wingers benefit from illegal workers, while at the same time they use the immigration issue to divide American workers and illegal workers. What we really need is for American workers and immigrant workers to band together to end the addiction to cheap labor for rich hypocrites like Dobbs.
One final point: Republicans have been selling us on this idea that if we cut taxes for the rich again, they will create jobs. The failure of this idea can be illustrated so well in cases like Dobbs, Whitman, and Romney. Those rich people who have every means of creating jobs for Americans, have been caught in a lie. Their actions have proven they have no intention whatsoever of creating good jobs for Americans. Cheap labor only. That's the Republican way!
Dobbs crusaded on his show against companies who hire illegal immigrants. Dobbs made it clear that he thinks there is NO excuse, even if a subcontractor hires them.
Now, we find out that Dobbs is hiding behind the same excuse. The problem with Lou, is that he is a hypocrite with his "Do as I say, not as I do" attitude. He isn't even denying that contractors hired illegal workers.
The larger point that needs to be made, though, is this: Dobbs, Whitman, Romney, and all the other *wealthy* right-wingers who have been caught benefiting from illegal workers, are addicted to cheap labor.
And that's what really gets me. These people are RICH, for gosh-sakes, they have PLENTY of money to hire American workers at a decent wage if they practiced half the things they preach!
Don't blame the immigrants, who work harder for less than our own citizens. Blame the rich folks like Dobbs, Whitman, and the rest, who have every opportunity to hire American workers, but who are so cheap they just won't do it.
These rich right-wingers benefit from illegal workers, while at the same time they use the immigration issue to divide American workers and illegal workers. What we really need is for American workers and immigrant workers to band together to end the addiction to cheap labor for rich hypocrites like Dobbs.
One final point: Republicans have been selling us on this idea that if we cut taxes for the rich again, they will create jobs. The failure of this idea can be illustrated so well in cases like Dobbs, Whitman, and Romney. Those rich people who have every means of creating jobs for Americans, have been caught in a lie. Their actions have proven they have no intention whatsoever of creating good jobs for Americans. Cheap labor only. That's the Republican way!
I hope you all get a chance to read Michael Moore's great piece on Huffingtonpost today, in which he shares prescription for victory, and argues for five things Democrats can do to win in November
He then asks his fellow democrats to contribute their own ideas, so I thought I'd share mine here. Feel free to add your own, or go over to Huffingtonpost and share them with Michael Moore, too.
Voters like candidates who stand for their values, as opposed to those who waffle on them. Therefore, Democrats should stand proud for the historic achievements they made in 2 short years, despite the GOP obstructing a record number of bills.
Democrats have passed smart, moral, and financially sound reforms.
Stand proud for the Affordable Care Act, which ended discrimination for preexisting conditions, and covered millions of uninsured Americans, all while remaining budget neutral.
They should be proud of Financial Reform, which prevents another collapse like the one we had in 2008, by creating a new market for derivatives trading, updating regulations, and creating a consumer watchdog agency to protect us against unfair business practices.
Democrats should be proud of the Recovery Act, which stopped the recession, while at the same time cutting taxes for working Americans to the lowest point in over 50 years.
They should speak out about the 100 billion investment in private green tech sector growth, which will lead to a renewal of our American manufacturing infrastructure and will put America on the leading edge of the coming green economic boom.
The Democrats have shown vision, as opposed to the other party which just stands there and says no.
Democrats should be proud of making that vision a possibility.
They turned this country in a new direction, and opened the door to a brighter future.
In November, we need to get out the vote and walk through that open door.
He then asks his fellow democrats to contribute their own ideas, so I thought I'd share mine here. Feel free to add your own, or go over to Huffingtonpost and share them with Michael Moore, too.
Voters like candidates who stand for their values, as opposed to those who waffle on them. Therefore, Democrats should stand proud for the historic achievements they made in 2 short years, despite the GOP obstructing a record number of bills.
Democrats have passed smart, moral, and financially sound reforms.
Stand proud for the Affordable Care Act, which ended discrimination for preexisting conditions, and covered millions of uninsured Americans, all while remaining budget neutral.
They should be proud of Financial Reform, which prevents another collapse like the one we had in 2008, by creating a new market for derivatives trading, updating regulations, and creating a consumer watchdog agency to protect us against unfair business practices.
Democrats should be proud of the Recovery Act, which stopped the recession, while at the same time cutting taxes for working Americans to the lowest point in over 50 years.
They should speak out about the 100 billion investment in private green tech sector growth, which will lead to a renewal of our American manufacturing infrastructure and will put America on the leading edge of the coming green economic boom.
The Democrats have shown vision, as opposed to the other party which just stands there and says no.
Democrats should be proud of making that vision a possibility.
They turned this country in a new direction, and opened the door to a brighter future.
In November, we need to get out the vote and walk through that open door.
What makes me glad: Electing a democrat president after years of suffering under republican rule.
What makes me sad: people who get mad at this president because he's not as perfect as they wanted.
What makes me glad: The historic reforms enacted by this president:
- Health Insurance Reform (an end to pre-existing conditions, covering millions of children).
- Financial Reform (requiring the trading of derivatives on an open exchanges so we won't repeat the crash of 2008).
- The historic investment of over 100 billion dollars in a new energy economy for America (putting our manufacturing infrastructure on the road to renewal, and investing in American jobs in the fastest growing sector of our economy).
What makes me sad: when people can't see the forest for the trees, when they complain that this president is "just like everyone else," and when they can't recognize the great progress we've made in the last 18 months.
What makes me glad: The GOP is so fragmented, we could have actually *gained* in the November elections. And there's a chance we still can.
What makes me sad: That my fellow Democrats don't know how to play as a team, aren't willing to build a coalition, and can't compromise with each other for the greater good.
People. If we don't get our act together in the next six weeks, we stand a chance to lose EVERYTHING we worked so hard for.
Don't give up! Don't lose hope! Real change takes time and work. Democrats have opened the door and turned our country in the right direction. Its up to us to stay on the path and take a step through that open door into the brighter future that awaits!
What makes me sad: people who get mad at this president because he's not as perfect as they wanted.
What makes me glad: The historic reforms enacted by this president:
- Health Insurance Reform (an end to pre-existing conditions, covering millions of children).
- Financial Reform (requiring the trading of derivatives on an open exchanges so we won't repeat the crash of 2008).
- The historic investment of over 100 billion dollars in a new energy economy for America (putting our manufacturing infrastructure on the road to renewal, and investing in American jobs in the fastest growing sector of our economy).
What makes me sad: when people can't see the forest for the trees, when they complain that this president is "just like everyone else," and when they can't recognize the great progress we've made in the last 18 months.
What makes me glad: The GOP is so fragmented, we could have actually *gained* in the November elections. And there's a chance we still can.
What makes me sad: That my fellow Democrats don't know how to play as a team, aren't willing to build a coalition, and can't compromise with each other for the greater good.
People. If we don't get our act together in the next six weeks, we stand a chance to lose EVERYTHING we worked so hard for.
Don't give up! Don't lose hope! Real change takes time and work. Democrats have opened the door and turned our country in the right direction. Its up to us to stay on the path and take a step through that open door into the brighter future that awaits!
In the historic American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Democrats enacted the largest investment ever in Green Energy. This investment is pumping billions of dollars into one of the strongest areas of our economy. Shortly after President Obama passed the Recovery Act, China - recognizing the economic potential of a Green Tech Boom - invested a similar amount of money in their own Green Tech sectors.
The Green Tech sector was the last to be hit by the Recession, and the first to recover. Today, new Wind Turbine jobs outnumber new Coal Mining jobs. These are private sector jobs, people. American manufacturing jobs, turning shuttered factories into wind energy, and high-tech battery manufacturers.
These investments will not only revitalize our economy, but will also renew our American manufacturing infrastructure. Its time we started exporting American ingenuity once again, and its Democrats who have led the charge on this issue!
This is the future of our Economy, and Democrats have seen it, and led the way. They have seized this moment and turned our country in the right direction, after years of misguided and out-dated policies.
We have acted boldly in turning the page toward a clean energy future, and a freedom from foreign oil. It might not happen overnight, but a vast majority of the American people believe it *should* happen soon. We cannot turn back now.
But let's be clear: renewing our infrastructure through advancements in Green Tech, means big change for the powerful forces who stand to lose in the new energy economy. Change for the greater good, does not mean everybody always wins. There are entrenched interests who benefit from the way things are, even if our country suffers as a result.
The powerful forces standing in the way of Change have not stood idly by - they see the November campaigns as a business investment, and with the supreme court's recent decision to allow corporations - some of them foreign - to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections, they are doing everything they can to prevent America from turning the page, and changing for the better.
These powerful interests are trying as hard as they can to make people fear the important changes our country needs to make. These are big changes that are having a profound effect on our people from every state, every region. The recent economic collapse has shaken people, shaken their confidence in our economy. The GOP - at the behest of powerful special interests - has taken advantage of people's fears. They seek to divide us, rather than unify us. While Democrats are focused on positive solutions, and have worked hard to turn the page toward a more hopeful future, our opponents have spread fear, anger, and their only solution is to repeal the progress we have already made.
We can't let fear prevent us from getting the job done. We all know it needs to be done, and someone has got to do it. We cannot turn back now. Finish the job, Democrats. Stand proud for the new path we have turned America on. The path that leads to economic prosperity, freedom from foreign oil, and a revitalized American manufacturing infrastructure.
Martin Luther King wrote:
Fear knocked on the door
Faith answered
There was no one there.
Over the last year and a half, Democrats have opened that door. The Republican Party stands in our way, trying to scare the American People from stepping through that door, into a brighter future. Our job as Democrats - from now until November - is to remind America that we opened the door, and to give them faith in the brighter future that awaits. In November, let's unify our country, and take a step through that door into a new century of responsibility and prosperity!
The Green Tech sector was the last to be hit by the Recession, and the first to recover. Today, new Wind Turbine jobs outnumber new Coal Mining jobs. These are private sector jobs, people. American manufacturing jobs, turning shuttered factories into wind energy, and high-tech battery manufacturers.
These investments will not only revitalize our economy, but will also renew our American manufacturing infrastructure. Its time we started exporting American ingenuity once again, and its Democrats who have led the charge on this issue!
This is the future of our Economy, and Democrats have seen it, and led the way. They have seized this moment and turned our country in the right direction, after years of misguided and out-dated policies.
We have acted boldly in turning the page toward a clean energy future, and a freedom from foreign oil. It might not happen overnight, but a vast majority of the American people believe it *should* happen soon. We cannot turn back now.
But let's be clear: renewing our infrastructure through advancements in Green Tech, means big change for the powerful forces who stand to lose in the new energy economy. Change for the greater good, does not mean everybody always wins. There are entrenched interests who benefit from the way things are, even if our country suffers as a result.
The powerful forces standing in the way of Change have not stood idly by - they see the November campaigns as a business investment, and with the supreme court's recent decision to allow corporations - some of them foreign - to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections, they are doing everything they can to prevent America from turning the page, and changing for the better.
These powerful interests are trying as hard as they can to make people fear the important changes our country needs to make. These are big changes that are having a profound effect on our people from every state, every region. The recent economic collapse has shaken people, shaken their confidence in our economy. The GOP - at the behest of powerful special interests - has taken advantage of people's fears. They seek to divide us, rather than unify us. While Democrats are focused on positive solutions, and have worked hard to turn the page toward a more hopeful future, our opponents have spread fear, anger, and their only solution is to repeal the progress we have already made.
We can't let fear prevent us from getting the job done. We all know it needs to be done, and someone has got to do it. We cannot turn back now. Finish the job, Democrats. Stand proud for the new path we have turned America on. The path that leads to economic prosperity, freedom from foreign oil, and a revitalized American manufacturing infrastructure.
Martin Luther King wrote:
Fear knocked on the door
Faith answered
There was no one there.
Over the last year and a half, Democrats have opened that door. The Republican Party stands in our way, trying to scare the American People from stepping through that door, into a brighter future. Our job as Democrats - from now until November - is to remind America that we opened the door, and to give them faith in the brighter future that awaits. In November, let's unify our country, and take a step through that door into a new century of responsibility and prosperity!
Christopher Hitchens just wrote a brilliant article about Glenn Beck and the Tea Party on Slate.com, that I highly recommend you read.
Hitchen's basic premise is that tea partiers perceive themselves as an oppressed minority, and seek to reverse the advances of other oppressed Americans, because they fear losing their white privilege.
He writes,
Are Tea Partiers really going to win in November, as they constantly boast?
Tea Partiers pretend they are an oppressed minority, while at the same time they brag about how they are going to win in November. According to a CBS News poll, 84 percent of Tea Partiers believe they represent the views of most Americans, but overall Americans disagree: 25 percent say the Tea Party represents their views, while 36 percent say it does not.
The Tea Party wants to have it both ways: they claim are both an oppressed minority (89 percent white according to the poll), AND at the same time they are the majority of voting Americans.
Something's got to give. My bet is that all this braggadocio about winning in November is nothing more than boastful bullying. Let the Tea Party be the minority they claim to be - they are the last gasp of a dying population: bigoted, fearful, and exclusionary.
Win in November? Hardly.
Hitchen's basic premise is that tea partiers perceive themselves as an oppressed minority, and seek to reverse the advances of other oppressed Americans, because they fear losing their white privilege.
He writes,
In a rather curious and confused way, some white people are starting almost to think like a minority, even like a persecuted one. What does it take to believe that Christianity is an endangered religion in America or that the name of Jesus is insufficiently spoken or appreciated? Who wakes up believing that there is no appreciation for our veterans and our armed forces and that without a noisy speech from Sarah Palin, their sacrifice would be scorned? It's not unfair to say that such grievances are purely and simply imaginary, which in turn leads one to ask what the real ones can be. The clue, surely, is furnished by the remainder of the speeches, which deny racial feeling so monotonously and vehemently as to draw attention.I love that last part about how much the speeches focus on a denial of racial feeling as to make you question why. Methinks thou doth protest too much.
Are Tea Partiers really going to win in November, as they constantly boast?
Tea Partiers pretend they are an oppressed minority, while at the same time they brag about how they are going to win in November. According to a CBS News poll, 84 percent of Tea Partiers believe they represent the views of most Americans, but overall Americans disagree: 25 percent say the Tea Party represents their views, while 36 percent say it does not.
The Tea Party wants to have it both ways: they claim are both an oppressed minority (89 percent white according to the poll), AND at the same time they are the majority of voting Americans.
Something's got to give. My bet is that all this braggadocio about winning in November is nothing more than boastful bullying. Let the Tea Party be the minority they claim to be - they are the last gasp of a dying population: bigoted, fearful, and exclusionary.
Win in November? Hardly.
Recent news articles - including those on left leaning publications - have been marveling at the fact that Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally delivered a "Religious, not political message."
Really? Anyone who writes about politics and claims this event was more about religion than politics needs to have their head examined!
They are forgetting one of the most important things about politics: All politics is moral. This rally attempts to build a religious underpinning to Beck's radical political ideas.
It attempts to blanket his followers politics under the cloak of religion, much like the way the Taliban cloaks their radical politics under religion.
We know what these folks believe, by now there should be no question about it. They have radical ideas that subvert our constitution. They believe they are the only true Americans, and anyone who disagrees is to be treated like an enemy. They believe they are at war with anyone who disagrees with them. They believe only their ideas have validity, and they are willing to engage in extreme measures - such as armed revolt - to enforce their far right ideology.
So when Imam Beck and the former Republican vice presidential candidate stand before this crowd and talk about Christianity, it must be noted they are talking about a very specific kind of Christianity: it does not include you or me, or anyone else who takes a different view. It is no less than the beginning of a spiritual foundation from which to grow an American Christian Taliban.
"Not political?" Give me a break!
Really? Anyone who writes about politics and claims this event was more about religion than politics needs to have their head examined!
They are forgetting one of the most important things about politics: All politics is moral. This rally attempts to build a religious underpinning to Beck's radical political ideas.
It attempts to blanket his followers politics under the cloak of religion, much like the way the Taliban cloaks their radical politics under religion.
We know what these folks believe, by now there should be no question about it. They have radical ideas that subvert our constitution. They believe they are the only true Americans, and anyone who disagrees is to be treated like an enemy. They believe they are at war with anyone who disagrees with them. They believe only their ideas have validity, and they are willing to engage in extreme measures - such as armed revolt - to enforce their far right ideology.
So when Imam Beck and the former Republican vice presidential candidate stand before this crowd and talk about Christianity, it must be noted they are talking about a very specific kind of Christianity: it does not include you or me, or anyone else who takes a different view. It is no less than the beginning of a spiritual foundation from which to grow an American Christian Taliban.
"Not political?" Give me a break!
The Huffingtonpost reports today that press secretary Robert Gibbs apologized to the "professional left" for a comment he made in a recent interview:
Democrats have always had this persistent problem of not being able to hold together a governing coalition. The tent seems too big at times, and individual elements are so passionate about their causes they are unable to compromise.
Conservatives have historically been better at coalition building within their own party (the "trifecta" of social, fiscal, and neo-conservatives from 1960-2000 comes to mind).
Luckily for the Democrats, the GOP of today is experiencing similar friction within its own ranks.
What Dems need to remember is that in 2000, a bunch of democrats insisted that Al Gore and George Bush were "basically" the same. They voted for Nader, and perhaps many to this day don't even regret it.
But I will never forget it. Can you imagine how different our country would be right now if Al Gore had been elected?
Democrats take heed: we cannot allow our sense of perspective to be shortened because of the passion of the moment.
Take the long view, and realize that regardless of how slow the government seems to move at times, we *are* making the incremental changes needed to lead our country into the new century.
And our president needs our support, even when we don't get all that we want, when we want it.
Democrats, "me included," need to "stop fighting each other and arguing about our differences on certain policies, and instead work together to make sure everyone knows what is at stake because we've come too far to turn back now."I couldn't agree more.
Democrats have always had this persistent problem of not being able to hold together a governing coalition. The tent seems too big at times, and individual elements are so passionate about their causes they are unable to compromise.
Conservatives have historically been better at coalition building within their own party (the "trifecta" of social, fiscal, and neo-conservatives from 1960-2000 comes to mind).
Luckily for the Democrats, the GOP of today is experiencing similar friction within its own ranks.
What Dems need to remember is that in 2000, a bunch of democrats insisted that Al Gore and George Bush were "basically" the same. They voted for Nader, and perhaps many to this day don't even regret it.
But I will never forget it. Can you imagine how different our country would be right now if Al Gore had been elected?
Democrats take heed: we cannot allow our sense of perspective to be shortened because of the passion of the moment.
Take the long view, and realize that regardless of how slow the government seems to move at times, we *are* making the incremental changes needed to lead our country into the new century.
And our president needs our support, even when we don't get all that we want, when we want it.
A lot of progressive people who voted for Obama in 2008 have been expressing anger about him not being more bold in his presidency. Its understandably frustrating that we worked so hard to elect this candidate, and we believed so strongly in ideas like the Public Option, that we feel let down when it doesn't happen 100% the way we think it should.
Its frustrating because we know deep down that if we could just implement strong progressive policies, we could solve *so* many problems. We could prosper as a nation. We could even save money.
But we are pitted in an ideological battle that has been going on in America since its founding. It predates Barack Obama. And I think we must keep this in mind as we roll up to the November 2010 Mid-term elections.
Remember, when the candidate Obama told us that the work couldn't end in the election - that even after the election he would need our help - and our party would need our help - during what would be a long hard fight to bring change?
Personally, I was under no illusions about Obama when I voted for him: I knew I was voting for someone who I believed would act from the goodness of his heart and the strength of his intellect when given the enormous and *conflicted* job of President. That whatever faced in inside that Oval Office, he would do the best he could given the circumstances.
And so he went - into that bubble we call the American Presidency. And he is counting on us out here to both support him and keep him on the straight and narrow.
The question then becomes for me: when you feel that anger, when you feel that the president is not acting as bold as he should, what do you do with it?
I strongly believe we should channel that energy into finding ways we can positively support the President and our party, while *persuading* them at the same time.
Finding hope in the candidate who we sent to the White House was not that tough; but bringing *change* well that consists of much a harder and imperfect kind of work.
Democracy is messy. And if we squander this opportunity - if we allow our party to fracture in anger - then we will lose what little toehold we have gained, and the republicans will take us back to the miserable days of Goerge Bush and Dick Cheney.
We cannot allow that to happen. We've already passed some of the most historic reforms in a generation - and we have made the largest ever investment producing a Green Economy with the stimulus. These are changes we should cherish. Can you imagine the chances of these things passing under Republican leadership? Other presidents have tried for decades and failed.
So. How do we channel that energy into ways to support our party and increase voter turnout in November? Because if we don't do that, any hope we did once have, will surely never come to be.
Its frustrating because we know deep down that if we could just implement strong progressive policies, we could solve *so* many problems. We could prosper as a nation. We could even save money.
But we are pitted in an ideological battle that has been going on in America since its founding. It predates Barack Obama. And I think we must keep this in mind as we roll up to the November 2010 Mid-term elections.
Remember, when the candidate Obama told us that the work couldn't end in the election - that even after the election he would need our help - and our party would need our help - during what would be a long hard fight to bring change?
Personally, I was under no illusions about Obama when I voted for him: I knew I was voting for someone who I believed would act from the goodness of his heart and the strength of his intellect when given the enormous and *conflicted* job of President. That whatever faced in inside that Oval Office, he would do the best he could given the circumstances.
And so he went - into that bubble we call the American Presidency. And he is counting on us out here to both support him and keep him on the straight and narrow.
The question then becomes for me: when you feel that anger, when you feel that the president is not acting as bold as he should, what do you do with it?
I strongly believe we should channel that energy into finding ways we can positively support the President and our party, while *persuading* them at the same time.
Finding hope in the candidate who we sent to the White House was not that tough; but bringing *change* well that consists of much a harder and imperfect kind of work.
Democracy is messy. And if we squander this opportunity - if we allow our party to fracture in anger - then we will lose what little toehold we have gained, and the republicans will take us back to the miserable days of Goerge Bush and Dick Cheney.
We cannot allow that to happen. We've already passed some of the most historic reforms in a generation - and we have made the largest ever investment producing a Green Economy with the stimulus. These are changes we should cherish. Can you imagine the chances of these things passing under Republican leadership? Other presidents have tried for decades and failed.
So. How do we channel that energy into ways to support our party and increase voter turnout in November? Because if we don't do that, any hope we did once have, will surely never come to be.
New partybuilder group: Crafting Our Message 2010
Dear Partybuilder People,
As the November 2010 Midterm Elections draw near, it is more important than ever that we work together to get people to the polls and to vote Democrat.
Contrary to popular opinion, the Republicans have been *very* much in power for the last 2 years. They have obstructed an historic amount of business during a time when our country needs us to act. One of these important bills blocked by the Republican Party is a much needed Jobs bill. Now the Republicans want voters to give them even more power.
Our country needs to get back to work, and while Democrats put in long hours to pass solutions for America, Republicans have stood on the sidelines jeering. All they have to offer is a "No," and their only solution is that voters should give them *more* power so they can return things to the way they were under Bush & Cheney.
Do we want a return to Bush economics that brought on the financial disaster? Or do we want to elect responsible people who are willing to make the tough decisions necessary to put our economy back on track?
The choice in November will be determined by how many voters we can make feel the urgency of this situation, and how well we get our message across.
Many of us do not have time to write blogs full-time, but occasionally we see news stories that make us say "Hey, why don't the Democrats say it like ______?"
I created this new Partybuilder group as a place where I hope people can post ideas for talking points, or quick thoughts about crafting our message in 2010. This group is intended for posts that deal with talking points, that will get people to the polls and vote Democrat in the November 2010 mid-term elections.
You do not need to write a formal introduction or proper grammar - heck feel free to post your blog as a note. Just get that talking point out and share it with the rest of us.
So, I hope you will join this group and post some talking points on the 2010 Mid-term Elections to it.
Thanks,
D. Tree
Dear Partybuilder People,
As the November 2010 Midterm Elections draw near, it is more important than ever that we work together to get people to the polls and to vote Democrat.
Contrary to popular opinion, the Republicans have been *very* much in power for the last 2 years. They have obstructed an historic amount of business during a time when our country needs us to act. One of these important bills blocked by the Republican Party is a much needed Jobs bill. Now the Republicans want voters to give them even more power.
Our country needs to get back to work, and while Democrats put in long hours to pass solutions for America, Republicans have stood on the sidelines jeering. All they have to offer is a "No," and their only solution is that voters should give them *more* power so they can return things to the way they were under Bush & Cheney.
Do we want a return to Bush economics that brought on the financial disaster? Or do we want to elect responsible people who are willing to make the tough decisions necessary to put our economy back on track?
The choice in November will be determined by how many voters we can make feel the urgency of this situation, and how well we get our message across.
Many of us do not have time to write blogs full-time, but occasionally we see news stories that make us say "Hey, why don't the Democrats say it like ______?"
I created this new Partybuilder group as a place where I hope people can post ideas for talking points, or quick thoughts about crafting our message in 2010. This group is intended for posts that deal with talking points, that will get people to the polls and vote Democrat in the November 2010 mid-term elections.
You do not need to write a formal introduction or proper grammar - heck feel free to post your blog as a note. Just get that talking point out and share it with the rest of us.
So, I hope you will join this group and post some talking points on the 2010 Mid-term Elections to it.
Thanks,
D. Tree
There's a report on the Huffingtonpost today about President Obama and the possibility of recess appointments for important nominees, should the GOP continue to block votes on them.
According to press secretary Robert Gibbs, the President said it would depend on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell whether or not recess appointments were made.
These important appointments have been held up for political reasons. I'm sorry to say it, but you can't help getting the feeling that some in the GOP *want* our country to hurt, so they can benefit from it in the November elections.
In addition holding up important nominations, the GOP has been filibustering a record number of bills from coming to a vote - including a much needed Jobs bill.
These actions have a damaging effect on our country, because they are blocking responsible plans to recover our economy. And the longer we wait, the worse it gets.
So, while Democrats are doing the hard work trying to get something *done*, the very-powerful minority has actively worked against them.
Meanwhile the powerful minority offers no plans of their own, and when pressed the only thing they offer is the same plans George Bush had.
Yeah, we saw where that got us. And these guys think they should get *more* power?
I think that in November - when presented with a clear choice of the party who is actually working on solutions vs. the party who jeers from the sidelines - the voters might give the GOP a big surprise.
According to press secretary Robert Gibbs, the President said it would depend on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell whether or not recess appointments were made.
These important appointments have been held up for political reasons. I'm sorry to say it, but you can't help getting the feeling that some in the GOP *want* our country to hurt, so they can benefit from it in the November elections.
In addition holding up important nominations, the GOP has been filibustering a record number of bills from coming to a vote - including a much needed Jobs bill.
These actions have a damaging effect on our country, because they are blocking responsible plans to recover our economy. And the longer we wait, the worse it gets.
So, while Democrats are doing the hard work trying to get something *done*, the very-powerful minority has actively worked against them.
Meanwhile the powerful minority offers no plans of their own, and when pressed the only thing they offer is the same plans George Bush had.
Yeah, we saw where that got us. And these guys think they should get *more* power?
I think that in November - when presented with a clear choice of the party who is actually working on solutions vs. the party who jeers from the sidelines - the voters might give the GOP a big surprise.
There is a lesson in here for us progressives and liberals. We should take note.
Justice John Paul Stevens announced he is going to retire during Obama's term - most likely within then next couple of months - and already Republican leaders are vowing to fight against anyone the President nominates who is not deemed conservative enough. The GOP may even hypocritically filibuster Obama's nominee, despite their long-held position that nominees deserve an "up or down vote."
The problem for Obama lies in the fact that today's Republicans are far more conservative and ideological than those of the past. Justice John Paul Stevens considers himself a Republican, and he was appointed by a Republican president. So how is is that he is widely considered "the leader of the liberal wing" of the Supreme Court?
The answer is simple: he is apolitical (as all Justices should be), and since his appointment the court has become highly politicized. In today's Republican party, and its lurch to the hard-right, objectivity is not enough. For the rabid members of today's Republican party, if you are not outwardly ideological; if you are not overtly politicizing everything to the benefit of the fringe right, you might as well be a liberal. Therefore, in his objectivity and his attempt to stay out of politics, Justice Stevens is deemed a "liberal" in the eyes of his Republican brethren.
This toxicity is bad for America. The GOP is moving so far to the right, that people once considered centrist republicans are called liberals. In fact, for today's Republican Party the rule is simple: if you are not for them in every way, you must be against them. A party cannot govern with this kind of ideological purity - this litmus test - And thus, we have the Tea Party fielding candidates against their own party if they are not deemed "pure" enough. They will fragment the GOP in their desire for extreme purity.
I doubt the Republicans - or the Tea Party for that matter - can win enough voters to turn the tide in their favor. They have painted themselves into an ideological corner. But if they do gain seats in Congress despite their extreme views, it will be bad for America. We are a nation of diverse views and beliefs. We cannot be governed with an ideological iron fist.
So get out and make sure your neighbors and friends are voting in 2010! We have so much work left to do, and the election of our new President was only the beginning. We need to support him and support our party, because we are the party of inclusion, not exclusivity; we are a big ideas, big tent party and we will not let the toxicity of ideological purity paint us into a corner.
This is what our President believes in. He is a moderate Democrat. I know my colleagues feel he is not liberal enough, but remember he never promised to be. We all knew from the beginning he was much more of a centrist - and if you didn't realize that I'm sorry but you must not have been paying attention.
I am as liberal as they get, but I will not hold progress hostage to my own sense of ideological purity. Look at the Republican party of today as an example of where that kind of certainty and purity leads.
Thank you for reading,
D. Tree
Justice John Paul Stevens announced he is going to retire during Obama's term - most likely within then next couple of months - and already Republican leaders are vowing to fight against anyone the President nominates who is not deemed conservative enough. The GOP may even hypocritically filibuster Obama's nominee, despite their long-held position that nominees deserve an "up or down vote."
The problem for Obama lies in the fact that today's Republicans are far more conservative and ideological than those of the past. Justice John Paul Stevens considers himself a Republican, and he was appointed by a Republican president. So how is is that he is widely considered "the leader of the liberal wing" of the Supreme Court?
The answer is simple: he is apolitical (as all Justices should be), and since his appointment the court has become highly politicized. In today's Republican party, and its lurch to the hard-right, objectivity is not enough. For the rabid members of today's Republican party, if you are not outwardly ideological; if you are not overtly politicizing everything to the benefit of the fringe right, you might as well be a liberal. Therefore, in his objectivity and his attempt to stay out of politics, Justice Stevens is deemed a "liberal" in the eyes of his Republican brethren.
This toxicity is bad for America. The GOP is moving so far to the right, that people once considered centrist republicans are called liberals. In fact, for today's Republican Party the rule is simple: if you are not for them in every way, you must be against them. A party cannot govern with this kind of ideological purity - this litmus test - And thus, we have the Tea Party fielding candidates against their own party if they are not deemed "pure" enough. They will fragment the GOP in their desire for extreme purity.
I doubt the Republicans - or the Tea Party for that matter - can win enough voters to turn the tide in their favor. They have painted themselves into an ideological corner. But if they do gain seats in Congress despite their extreme views, it will be bad for America. We are a nation of diverse views and beliefs. We cannot be governed with an ideological iron fist.
So get out and make sure your neighbors and friends are voting in 2010! We have so much work left to do, and the election of our new President was only the beginning. We need to support him and support our party, because we are the party of inclusion, not exclusivity; we are a big ideas, big tent party and we will not let the toxicity of ideological purity paint us into a corner.
This is what our President believes in. He is a moderate Democrat. I know my colleagues feel he is not liberal enough, but remember he never promised to be. We all knew from the beginning he was much more of a centrist - and if you didn't realize that I'm sorry but you must not have been paying attention.
I am as liberal as they get, but I will not hold progress hostage to my own sense of ideological purity. Look at the Republican party of today as an example of where that kind of certainty and purity leads.
Thank you for reading,
D. Tree
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