Why We Need to Re-elect
Barack Obama
…and give him a majority
House and 61 Senators.
Excerpt:
“Progressive
opinions on Barack Obama’s first term are as
conflicted as his record. These differences are a sign of
a diverse and spirited left, and we welcome continued debate in our pages about
the president’s record and policies. But that discussion should not obscure
what is at stake in this election. A victory for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan in
November would validate the reactionary extremists who have captured the
Republican Party. It would represent the triumph of social Darwinism, the
religious right, corporate power and the big money donors who thrive in a new
Gilded Age of inequality. It would strike a devastating blow to progressive
values and movements, locking us in rear-guard actions on a range of
issues—from the rights of women, minorities, immigrants and LGBT people to the
preservation of social insurance programs and a progressive tax structure.
Inside the Democratic Party, Obama’s defeat would embolden the Blue Dogs and
New Dems, who have greased the party’s slide to the right.
Whatever
disappointments we have with Obama’s first term—and there are many—progressives
have a profound interest in the popular rejection of the Romney/Ryan ticket.”
This
editorial outlines the disappointments of the Obama Administration, but
reiterates the real need to push back against the continued push to privatize
our commons.
In
Washington State, we might have the luxury of some people not voting or voting
third party. Personally, I am not going
to take that chance. My hope is that we
can get a Democratically controlled Congress. And I mean a truly Democratically controlled
Congress. That means a majority in the House and at least 61 Senators, who will
listen to us. Then, the real work
begins. Then we need to band together
and push for real reforms. My concern is
that progressives have rarely banded together.
The metaphor of herding cats is a good one. Although, from personal experience, I know that it can be
done.
The
recent Occupy movement has had some success and I hope it/we will continue to
be on the forefront of this struggle. But
I have to admit, if the R-R duo takes the White House or Congress remains as
obstructive as it is, my hopes are dimmed and I edge closer to the ledge.
Please note: Between 1945 and 2009 - 64 years, the Democrates have controlled all three federal branches, meaning, the President, the Senate and the House of Representative during 10 Congressional Sessions (20years). In comparison, the Republicans controlled only 2 (4 years), both of which were just after the 911 World Trade Center attacks in 2001.
ReplyDeleteAlso worthy to note: During the same 64 years, the Democrates had majority with control of both the House and Senate for an additional 20 years. In comparison, the Republican majority control was 8 years. The remaining years were still dominated by the democrats with House Majority because legislation must pass in the House before the Senate is involved.
In summary, the Democrates have had complete control or a majority control for 52 of the last 64 years. It was only recently, in 2001 when the Republicans started to win seats.
So the Rubs "cheated " and the Dens have to elect some "real" people oriented politicians to finally get some stuff done which benefit the common good. And people like Jill Stein and those that vote or don't vote because of values which really are people first principles should believe "this time" the Dens are going to capitulate to "people power".
I am not saying that Democrats are perfect or that our system is perfect. But there were some good things that were passed when Dems were in control of both House and Senate:
ReplyDeleteDems 1961-1967
Peace Corps
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Immigration Act
Voting Rights Act
Medicare and Medicaid
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act
Dems 1977-1979
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (vetoed by Ford in ’74 &’75)
Community Reinvestment Act
Clean Water Act
Nuclear Non-proliferation Act
Established Department of Energy
Full Employment Act
Pregnancy Discrimination Act
National Energy Conservation Policy Act
Dems 1993
Religious Freedom Restoration Act
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act
Republicans, on the other hand, have passed stuff to benefit corporations:
Rebs 2003 – 2005
Medicare Part D
Tax cuts on dividends and capital gains
Partial Birth Abortion Ban
Project Bioshield Act - allow stockpiling and distribution of vaccines which had not been tested for safety or efficacy in humans, due to ethical concerns
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act – why I won’t fly
What I am saying is that if we can get Dems in the Congress and White House,
We may be able to push reform like civil rights in the 60’s and better energy policy in the 70’s. with the rise of the Occupy movement, it may be feasible.
The other thing I am doing is to organize a local Green Party. That needs to happen now and not just when an election rolls around. This would be another group that could influence law and policy.