Economic policy, energy policy and the fate of over one million unemployed Americans, are mired in the swamp of fear, greed and political calculation that is Washington in election season. As oil continues to spew into the Gulf of Mexico and America continues to spill both blood and treasure in the wretched tribal wars of Afghanistan and Iraq, Washington continues to campaign for mediocrity and the status quo. If the President is weary, it is understandable, for power, not progress, is the game in Washington and his burden is heavy. But American's having to deal with a blighted Gulf, broken lives and never ending war are more heavily laden.
States, Counties and Municipalities throughout the nation edge ever closer to the abyss, deep cuts in education, public health services, firefighters, police and other necessary public services are inevitable without money from Washington. Libraries, public transportation, maintenance and repair of public water, sewer, roads and buildings are all on the chopping block in California, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Florida and many other states. Why are these Federal issues, because the US Government is the only source of solutions for problems of this magnitude.
Courage, will and leadership are what we need now. Nancy Pelosi is the only member of the congressional leadership who seems to grasp this and understand its urgency. I believe that the President has these qualities and I hope he will come out fiercely against the current do-nothingism of our legislators. If the strategy is to wait until public pressure forces the issue in Washington, I fear the American people will simply turn away from the process and bitterly retaliate at the polls in November. There is no way to play it safe, America is looking for answers not more debate, a direction, not a menu of options.
Obviously our economy cannot be turned on a dime; however, the current Democratic narrative of "things would have been a lot worse", is not playing. The Boehner and Burton gaffes, "Republicans are obstructionist" and "out of touch" lines of attack are good politics, but they will not be enough in the end. Americans need to be convinced that their government can work, that the government's leadership has a plan that will help them and it is going to implement that plan.
Ben Nelson, Blanche Lincoln, Byron Dorgan and Birch Bayh are yesterday, to accomodate them and their ilk is a one way trip to disaster for the Democratic Party and the country. We've tried deal making, accomodation and bipartisanship, its not working and they dilute every initiative while delaying the beneficial effects of what has been accomplished. The process stories are overwhelming the public's perception, let's give them somthing else to chew on.
The American people need a concrete vision of hope and a program of action to implement that vision. If Democrats can't find the votes to get needed economic relief to the people, if Democrats can't get relief to the States, if Democrats can't lead and inspire, then America will abandon us.
LBJ faced the reality of a divided party and the certain loss of the "Solid South" and went forward with Civil Rights legislation, Medicare and the "Great Society." His boldness in the face of adversity paid off for the American people and he didn't count the cost... It is time to show leadership, we are not faced with LBJ's choice, showing strength and putting forth a plan will demonstrate not only courage, but a true desire to put country over political gain. Timing is everything, and now is the time, we must stand for the American people in their time of need and clearly state our purpose and plan, or we're dead in the water...