As Democrats, we tend to be accustomed to recycled paper plates from which we select our cheese. It is understandable, then, why we were unable to recognize a real silver platter when it was presented to us.
Less than two weeks after Maine Republicans took control of the Governorship, House and Senate on a message of "Cut Taxes and Spending," House Republicans have elected Rep. Bob Nutting of Oakland, Maine to serve as the Speaker of the House. An unassuming, pragmatic legislator, Rep. Nutting proved the perfect choice over several severely partisan options.
The only catch was that in 2003, he was found to have "overbilled" the state $1.6 million through his pharmacy, "True's Pharmacy." After paying the state back about $433,000, Rep. Nutting's remaining $1.2 million obligation to the state was erased in bankruptcy proceedings. Forget the fact that the a Sun Journal reporterdebunked his "formula" that allegedly allowed him to make an "honest mistake," the fact is he was the owner of the company and showed poor judgment.
In a time when Maine people are hurting and the Republicans are threatening to gut Mainecare (Medicaid and Medicare) as well as welfare programs, they have chosen a leader who represents all that is wrong about politicians. I do not question that Nutting is the best of a poor cadre of choices. I also do not question the man's intentions in a scenario that happened several years ago. However, what does it say about a person who evaded a $1.2 million debt to the state and then decides to run for Speaker of the House?
And, while the media runs story after story, editorial after editorial picking this story apart, the Republicans have portrayed "Poor Bob" as a victim of "government overreach" and a "government that is anti-business." Instead of owning his part and asking the public to judge him by his legislative qualities, Nutting and his colleagues have instead launched a full frontal attack on government.
Government is to blame.
Not poor judgment. Not greed. Not fraud.
Government.
And while the Republicans have entirely taken the upper hand, Democrats have sat on what hands we have left. Instead of an honest critique of the Republican decision, instead of separating ourselves from the decision-making around the Speaker of the House, House Democrats are choosing instead to be complicit, play nice and go along with the decision. We're staking out no corner, no objection and making no waves lest we lose our leverage for our committees.
As one of those House Democrats, I continue to be told we were elected to be "bipartisan."
Horse. Shit.
We were elected to be principled. Since when do we make a decision to put convenience over conviction? Procedure over principles?
Do House Dems need to launch a full frontal attack on Rep. Nutting? No.
Do we need to register a modicum of critique? Absolutely.
There is of course plenty of ground to be gained on this throughout the next legislative term, but how can we gain any ground later when we aren't even willing to hold our ground now?
It is one thing to be crippled by misleading rhetoric, political lies and hidden agendas. It is entirely another thing to be crippled by the fear of our own shadows.
Democrats are hardly used to silver anything, let alone silver platters. However, if there were ever a time to eat off one, now would be it. How else can we have the right to whine if we have not the courage to eat the cheese first?