I keep seeing diaries filled with romanticized versions of what the democratic party use to be like.
Oh really???
When was the party ever noble? When were our politicians ever honest and upright?
I believe we had a Vice President kill the Treasury Sec. in a duel.
I think you mistake what is going on today for being different from any other time...
From the time our country;s government began we have had scoundrels and hypocrites and thieves and all kinds of odd characters.
Our history is filled with them.
Our parties were never filled with upstanding and good and honest idealists.
Yes, there were the politicians who got into the game for the right reasons and to change our country and do good work. Usually they were vilified. Lincoln was lampooned and disliked and trashed and made to look totally inept through his first term and the only way he got re-elected was because he won the war. Grant and his buddy Sherman gave Lincoln an almost destroyed south by the time of the election.
When Grant became president we had a time where it rivaled Bush Jr.s for criminality and bribes and payoffs,.ect. Or maybe it was more like Harding's administration...
During the gilded age, business pretty much ran the country and until the Great Crash of 1929, the Business of America was business.
Yes, Teddy Roosevelt shut down monopolies but, there was also a crusading press that were going after the corruption and horrifying conditions of exploited workers. this was during the time of the bloody battles to unionize. The time when Sinclair Lewis wrote his great novel The Jungle.
But, after TR left things went back to normal with Taft.
It really was not until the crash that business was lasso'd in. And that was due to a subdued republican party chastised by the depression and a press that worked with FDR. Not against him, like they did against Lincoln.
During the time of Watergate we had a senator that turned up in a water fountain with a stripper. Another who had a woman who could not type but, was a great mistress as his secretary.
Sam Rayburn had money in his desk drawer. Lots of it. You know, Rayburn building???
So, even the now thought of great ones were doing business.
You see, it was never noble. There was always money, business and deals.
Back in the early part of the 20th century great cities were run by Bosses like Daley. One was the grandfather of JFK, RFK and Teddy. He was a boss of Boston.
Instead of welfare, your boss of the city found jobs, money to feed your kids, ect. but, you also owed him for that help.
Sort of like the Godfather in the movie.
Alot of congressmen and senators were 'appointed' by the boss of the city.
Actually, while you cry about corporate control and how our government is owned, well, it's always been. And actually, things are alot more transparent and cleaned up from yesterday.
The press turned a blind eye to a politician who had affairs. Even presidents. Not anymore. Now it's tabloid fodder for weeks, months and even years.
Don't get me wrong. I am not saying it is okay for business to control and kill good legislation. Or harm the country like insurance is now.
But, this almost childish pouting about how things are not pure and how awful it is that deals are being made, ect. when that is how things have always been done.
People need to understand that you get good bills, and get things done by dealing with people. With the opposition party, with your own side, with other players.
It simply is not that unusual.
People need to start to see things in terms of reality. That while this goes on, it is also a rewarding career. there are those who are in it to do good. Our president is one of those. And others are in it for money, ect.
But, even good guys do deals and compromise.
I wanted a public option and do not want this stinker that is mandating we pay for insurance and yet, there is nothing to hold costs or reign in the insurance companies.
I really dislike the way the bill is now.
But, to vilify the president for it is silly. To think he is to conduct things in a boy scout manner is naive.
To think the senators are not going to take advantage of Reid's stupid move in going for the full 60 rather doing reconcilation and deal for certain perks is not unusual. Yes, most will be good and toe the party line for the good of the country and to support their president but, some are not so pure. Some will expect something in return. That is the way it's always been.
I personally do not think Lieberman was doing it for perks or deals. He did this for spite. Which is why I am signing petitions and working against him any way I can. It was not out of the usual reasons. It was to make progressives suffer and as a result thousands of innocent people will as well. there is no excuse for that.
But, to accuse the president of doing evil and not caring and being a sell out (yes, I am talking to you Ed Schultz - shame of you!), ect. is just being as spiteful as Lieberman as I think we all know that Obama is essentially a good person.
Even Coburn was forced to admit it on the air this morning on Washington Journal. That Bush was not but, Obama was a decent man. From arch conservative and thorn in the side Coburn.
Well, that is it for my blathering diary.