Starting to Feel Betrayed
Betrayal
If the public option for health insurance is thrown out, I will have to admit I will feel a bit betrayed by the Democrats.
However, I shouldn't be surprised as I know that the real divide in Congress is not Democrat/Republican, it is Conservative v Progressive/Liberal. There a lot more conservatives than Progressives/Liberals. There are a lot of Conservative Democrats, bought and sold by the same corporations and people that have the Republicans bought and sold.
Reality is that just as the Republicans B.S. their people waving the flag, saying how much they are against Gays and then go pick other guys up later, or how religious and moral they are, then go go cheat on their spouses, the Democrats spin their supporters too. Progressives want universal health care, an end to perpetual war, good public education, equal rights for all,Gays included,and want to put the America working man before the Communist Chinese working man but what we get is more of the same ole same ole. Profits before people. It is not all the Republicans fault. There is no real change because many Democrats don't want change either.The Democrats aren't weak or stupid, many like the existing paradigm just the way it is.Many of them got nice healthy campaign contributions from the insurance companies, the oil companies, the mega-banks, and war profiteers.Part of the Democratic spin is, "It is all the bad Republican's fault." The Republicans do their spin job one way, the Democrats do their spin job the other way. Meantime, as Jesse Ventura once said,and I am paraphrasing, we have a one party system in America with two wings.
Obama is thus far very much into fixing the existing paradigm and not changing it, so as a progressive activist, who was looking for hope and change, that is not encouraging. The expansion of the war in Afghanistan and into Pakistan was a big let down too. Endless perpetual war continues and the killing never lets up.
So whats a Progressive to do ? The Greens are lame and just help Republicans get elected. So for now, I just keep working to change the Democrats from within and working for just causes.Groups like the Progressive Democrats of America http://pdamerica.org/ and the Congressional Progressive Caucus http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/ are our best hope for real change.
- Jim Ramelis's blog
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Comments
Ole George had it right
Back in 1972 ole Gov. George Wallis had it right when he said, "There ain't a dimes worth of difference between the Democrats and the Republicans." Looks to be largely still true.
On a more positive note, I've taken on the role of Policy Coordinator for the MoveOn Annapolis Council. Liz and I and the Council Coordinator for the MoveOn Baltimore Council had a chance to lobby our newly elected Democratic Congressman on the 18th. We, and dozen college students from the University of Maryland and St. Mary's College, met with his Chief of Staff re: support for the clean energy bill. As a Blue Dog Democrat, coming from a conservative district he's in a tough position. He had the courage, though, to vote yes on the bill, straight forwardly, no negotiating. Right on principle.
So as you know it's the local folks like us that they often listen to, especially members of MoveOn. We can generate a lot of grass roots cover for them, help them get re-elected. 5 million members is a lot of "counter the lobbyists" muscle.
I, too, am beginning to feel a bit disappointed. IMO, Mr. Obama is being too much the Mr. Nice Guy, especially when trying to engage in bi-partisan efforts with a party too adolescent in behavior to be trusted, one that refuses to grow up and act like adults. So, on a real positive note, IMO, what we are seeing is the Republicans self destructing before our eyes, they just can't admit they were, and are, wrong. Reaganism is dead!
Hey there Rush, Dick, Newt, Bill keep on keepin' on bro's. You'll soon get the permanent minority status you sought Newt - but for the Republicans. Be careful what you wish for, what you project on others. As the Gospel says,"--with what measure you measure it will be measured to you again and will increase, especially to them who hear." Mark 4:24
If you can't hear the truth, then permanent deafness is your future. The prophesy of Henry Fairlie is upon you.
Move On
Move On does good work too and I am glad you are involved with them.
I don't think Obama is being Mr. Nice guy. That idea fits into the thought pattern that the Democrats are too weak or disorganized to get things done. Obama and the Democrats know exactly what they are doing.Obama is being a centrist "profits before people Democrat", much in the same vein as Clinton.
Agree with you Jim about the Progressive Democrats
Good post Jim. I agree with you about the Progressive Democrats of America http://pdamerica.org/ and the Congressional Progressive Caucus http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/ . I've been reading a lot of blogs from supporters of single payer health care and they are agitating and making strong arguments http://everydaycitizen.com/2009/06/apparently_were_not_getting_mu.html. I'm hoping MoveOn and the various grassroots groups are doing enough to mobilize people. Reading Rich's reply gives me some hope.
I'm hoping we could get a stronger version of Obama's national insurance plan. I haven't been following what's been going on in Congress, but I'm hoping there is some Democrat leader with the skills to get a stronger bill passed. If Ted Kennedy is healthy enough, he'd be the leader the Democrats need.
Angelo