Rep. Betty McCollum
Seems that
Nebraskans aren't the only restless natives when it comes to the debt ceiling debacle, the crappy economy and a political elite that seems intent on shoving austerity down our collective throats.
In St. Paul, Minnesota, Rep. Betty McCollum, a Democrat, heard the frustration of her constituents loud and clear.
On Tuesday night, McCollum's fellow Democrats packed a music recital hall at St. Catherine University to give the six-term congresswoman an earful about their disappointment with Obama and his economic and military policies.
The crowd of about 150 was largely friendly and civil, but they were passionate about their opposition to the conservative policies flowing from the Republican-controlled Congress and what they consider an all-too-conciliatory White House.
John from St. Paul wanted to know why Obama has moved to the right. "Whose side is he on?" he asked. "What are progressives telling him?"
McCollum, who voted against the bill to raise the debt ceiling crafted by Obama and GOP congressional leaders, defended the president, contending he negotiated the best deal he could get. She did say, however, that Obama "could be clearer" about insisting that tax increases on the wealthy be part of future deficit-reduction legislation.
Another man who identified himself as a veteran and father of a military reservist told McCollum that U.S. troops are the only people paying dearly for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. "Bring them home!" he demanded, sparking a burst of cheers and applause.
Congressional Democrats are likely to be hearing a lot of that over the next few weeks, and they need to. Liberals and progressives need to hold their representatives' feet to the fire if we have any hope of the message trickling upstream to the White House. Our message needs to be amplified.
Every Democratic member of Congress telling the White House that 2012 is going to hinge on those issues most important not just to progressives, but to the majority of Americans, might just solidify the message and stiffen some spines.
