I'm fed up. I'm tired of being thrown under the bus and I'm tired of supporting people who are willing to throw me and people like me under the bus. Last night, we were told of the last minute—and heroic—efforts that led to a government shutdown being averted.
Last night, President Obama got on the TV and told us all how this was an “historic” victory. Victory for who? Was it a victory for people who work their asses off everyday just to barely make it? Was it a victory for the person who has been out of work since the economic meltdown began? Hell no, it was for those sons-of-bitches who believe that it is more important to play ideological games with people's lives than it is to “get our fiscal house in order.” I was hoping that there wouldn't be a government shutdown, but I also didn't want this to happen either.
I freely admit that I wasn't always an Obama supporter. During the primary process I was an ardent Hillary Clinton supporter, but once she conceded to then Senator Obama—it took me a while, but—I eventually put my feelings aside and supported him. During the general campaign when I would talk to people I saw incredible hope and that was one of the main reasons that I could find to support him. I also freely admit that when he won that election, I cried. I guess I bought into all of the “change you can believe” stuff that was going around at the time. I thought that after eight long years that things would be different. Last night, however, proved to be just another disappointment by a man who led us to believe that we should expect more from our leaders.
During his campaign, he made statements that he was behind our union brothers and sisters. He told us that if they were under attack that he would stand on the pickets lines with them. Well, when Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Republicans in that state launch an all out assault on unions, President Obama was nowhere to be found. The Republicans in Wisconsin used every trick up their sleeves (and yes, many of those tricks were illegal) to get this union-busting bill passed in the legislature. Still no word from the president on that.
When the health care “debate” was going on, the great compromiser talked about what a virtuous thing this health care bill was going to be. This was going to be the granddaddy of legislative accomplishments since the New Deal. This was nothing close to the New Deal. The comparisons between Obama and FDR were not accurate at the time, but have since stopped altogether. This health care bill was and is nothing more than just nibbling around the edges and gives the insurance companies millions of new customers. Did anybody notice that it wasn't the insurance companies that were fighting this tooth, claw, and nail? Did anybody notice that it was the Teabagging Express and other right-wing groups that were fervently fighting against this? I know some people did, but unfortunately not enough.
When all of these things were going on, I thought to myself “is this guy really that bad a negotiator?” “Is this guy really that bad when it comes to getting what he wants?” I really don't believe he is. Anybody who runs for president knows how to get at least some of what they want, otherwise they wouldn't be there. Once I had that realization, I thought of Ronald “Ray Gun” Reagan. Reagan was the ultimate bullshitter. Reagan was able to convince millions of people that they should abandon their own interests and adopt the mindset of the oppressor. One of the many unfortunate things about this (other than the disastrous economic consequences) is that this way of thinking is still prevalent thirty years later!
When the Democratic Party had control of both chambers of Congress (with a filibuster proof majority, mind you) and the White House, why didn't more things get passed that people wanted and VOTED for? Oh wait, I forgot, because we keep electing milquetoasts, that's why. We keep electing people who are all too happy to acquiesce to the demands of a group of people hell-bent on turning America into a police state where bankers go unchecked and a woman's uterus is public property. The leaders of the party I belong to are all too willing to “compromise” away the reasons that I am a Democrat in the first place.
Where the hell are the fighters that our party used to have? Where are the FDRs? In FDR's reelection campaign of of 1936, he said, “Government by organized money, is just as dangerous as government by organized mob.” He also said, “Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me‹and I welcome their hatred." Why is it that President Obama is so afraid to provoke people who believe that a half term governor from Alaska has all the answers? Why is he so afraid to the same kind of eloquent words that President Roosevelt said like this:
These economic royalists complain that we seek to overthrow the institutions of America. What they really complain of is that we seek to take away their power. Our allegiance to American institutions requires the overthrow of this kind of power. In vain they seek to hide behind the Flag and the Constitution. In their blindness they forget what the Flag and the Constitution stand for. Now, as always, they stand for democracy, not tyranny; for freedom, not subjection; and against a dictatorship by mob rule and the over-privileged alike.
I could spend all night writing about the many ways in which we (and I include myself in that group) have been let down by Mr. “Hope and Change,” but that would be longer than anybody would care to read. I am simply sick and tired of voting for people who have a D behind their name only because the other “guy” wants to take us back to the 19th century. Goddamn it, I want somebody who isn't afraid to stand up for Democratic principles and somebody who knows how to negotiate for the things that people need.
I have said and still believe that I do not believe our president is a bad person. What I do believe is that he is doing exactly what he has been paid to do. That is the sad reality of our political system in America. We cannot continue to vote for people on the basis that they're "really a good guy." Look at where this has gotten us so far.
In the words of Malcolm X, “I don't think that we should run around trying to love somebody who doesn't love us.” We need to stop loving politicians who don't love us back, and if that means that Mr. Obama gets a primary challenger, then so be it. We aren't going to get “our fiscal house in order” if we continue to elect milquetoast after milquetoast.
I resolve to withhold my support for anyone seeking any position, whether it be elected office, or a position within the party unless they are willing to stand up for real people and not simply provide lip service. I am sick and tired of elected officials only listening to people when it comes time for elections. I realize that there may not be many people who feel as I do in positions of authority within the party, but somebody has to start it. I will no longer allow folks seeking office to provide canned responses or to turn the other way once elected. The only way we can achieve real change instead of bullshit slogans is to hold people's feet to the fire. Who's with me?
-Janice Devereaux
Comments