I donated and volunteered and voted for you in '08 because I saw you as a leader that would bring competency, accountability, and the rule of law back to Washington. Unfortunately, it seems you let pragmatism trump these ideals. While the Democrats were able to push through historic legislation, they lost their base. They conceded too much to banks and insurance companies and they angered the entire country by showing money still controlled our government despite '08 election. My worst fear, which I dismissed as absurd on Nov. 4, 2008, has happened - the Democrats have ceded the populist mantle to the Republicans, and the world just got much more dangerous because of it.
In your speech this morning you spoke of the fact that Reagan and Clinton went through mid-terms similar to '10... So did FDR. And given the monumental tasks that face this country in the coming decades, we need you to be the next FDR, not the next Clinton.
Explain to the American people why sacrifice is necessary, and we will sacrifice. In 1951 the top marginal tax rate was raised to 91% and it remained above 70% until 1970. During this period we saw the saw sustained economic growth and became the most powerful nation the world has ever known. Even if it doesn’t solve our debt problems, raising taxes on income over $1 million (including non-primary residence capital gains and dividends) is the right thing to do. It will also make the rest of us willing to pay more because fairness will have been returned to the system.
This election was not a victory of Republican ideas. It showed the American people's disgust over fat cats being allowed to rob us blind without anyone in Washington (including you) standing in their way. Taking blame for something you didn't do can be laudable in certain circumstances... Your doing so with the bailouts and this economy was a political disaster that has real-world effects. Sometimes keeping the blame where it belongs and taking a stand for your ideals is more important than getting things done – even if it causes pain in the short term.
We know that we live in very troubling times. Don't sugar coat anything. If you think it is necessary to take an unpopular position, explain what you are doing and why. We can handle it.
You gave us hope once before Mr. President. It is time to do it again.