BOLD = Edited to reflect Tool's words
QUOTE = Editorial
We are in battle with one of the worst Republican parties many have seen in a lifetime.
Yet some Democrats/Liberals are choosing to discuss political differences, policies, and how to make our party better. We need solidarity more than ever.
The Republicans have continuously and blatantly tried to obstruct President Obama from moving this country forward. It seems the GOP's primary agenda has been to shed a disgraceful light upon Obama and Democrats in order to win the public's vote and take control of the government via upcoming elections. In the Senate Republicans have filibustered more times in Obama's presidency than the entire history of the republic.
Republicans have proved they are and always have been working against the interests of this country. The majority of Republican lawmakers seem to have little interest in everyday Americans and the public knows that Republicans work for the 1%, MIC, and bankers.
In the first six months of 2014:
Republicans blocked: Raising The Minimum Wage
Republicans blocked: Reducing College Student Loan Debt
Republicans blocked: Veterans Benefits
Republicans blocked: Equal Pay For Women - And All Americans
Tool:
Now let's examine the root of this problem. In 2008 Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress with a majority. This was coming off the cusp of a huge election where the first African American president was elected using language of progressive civil rights and union leaders like Cesar Chavez. In spite of Republican obstructionism there was a huge opportunity for real change.
At that time Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had the power to change the filibuster rules of the Senate. President Obama did not pursue filibuster reform at all and disengaged from the whole process. The administration was pursuing a post partisan, hands off approach when dealing with the republicans. It was almost as if the Clinton and wall street savvy staff Obama brought in didn't anticipate that Republicans would act like they always have. This was perhaps one of the biggest mistakes the White House made and has continued to make several times. The ramifications are still being felt today as Reid limited the filibuster reform to judge confirmations and not to all legislation coming up for debate. Having a 60 threshold vote for cloture - just the motion for debate on the floor - is no longer tenable in this gilded age. The White House position was ambivalent on the topic all the way up to 5 year into Obama's presidency.
Now the
Huffington Post reported during the 2012 filibuster reform:
'This endorsement of Reid's effort to reform the filibuster is the firmest White House statement to date on the matter. During last year's State of the Union address, President Barack Obama urged lawmakers to give judicial and "public service" nominees an up-or-down vote. But when Reid was contemplating a set of rules changes before the last Congress, the administration was largely ambivalent with its support and even less so with its engagement.
-snip-
Then we listened to what Turtle had to say since why not?
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), has furiously opposed this tactic, speaking at length on the Senate floor against it and calling the move a "fundamental change to the way the Senate operates."
On the sub-debate over how rules reforms are pursued, the White House was content to not offer a position.
"How Majority Leader Reid goes about it is up to him," said a senior administration official.
Since the 2010 Midterms Elections:
Republicans blocked stronger gun background checks.
Republicans have created the 'War Against Women' by introducing/implementing misogynist and archaic anti-choice/birth control laws.
Republicans tried to block the Violence Against Women Act.
Republicans attempted to repeal Obamacare over 50 times, costing Americans over $70 million.
All true - see up above on Filibuster reform.
And then, of course, there is the great Republican Government Shutdown that cost Americans approximately $20 - $24 billion. We can all do the math and think up endless ways those tax dollars could have benefited this nation and its people. Instead, it was wasted on Republican spite, greed, and ego under the guise of repealing Obamacare. And there's more GOP damage that has been done.
So that is why only days before the elections, I am calling on Liberals/Democrats return our party to its historical roots of populism and benefit for all. It will serve the American people and the future of this planet. Articulating a vision for this country and the future we want to have is very important. Colorful words may be said but it matters when you can talk to people and explain not just that republicans are evil, but that democrats will offer solutions to everyday problems. It fucking matters.
The majority of the public doesn't know/understand Republican obstruction, how it works, and how it has damaged this country. It is up to us and our public officials to tell the story of how they will change this country for the better. If you are a Democrat/Liberal, and you have some issues with Obama, you're part of the club. He is far from perfect. Let's win this election and move forward with a Congress willing to work with the president, and for the people. . Right now, the other side is slamming Obama - with gusto.
In solidarity, we show what one of the most successful presidents in history and the current Democratic Party have accomplished, even in under incredible GOP obstruction. In solidarity, we help Obama prove us all right for electing him to be our President of the United State - twice. In solidarity, we will help Barak Obama finish what he came to do, what he was meant to do, and what we believe he can and will do.
Now let me outline exactly what I think he can and will do that will motivate our base to turn out for the election!
*Propose a 15.00 min wage indexed to inflation - phased in immediately for large chains such as Walmart - 3 years for smaller businesses.
*2020 Clean Energy Commitment - The Army Engineers Corp has accomplished modern day miracles with building structures. In the name of National security the country will commit to upgrading in five years its entire electrical infrastructure and converting oil/gas to solar/wind. If Germany can do it - so can America.
*Stop deporting families at greater rates than both Bush White Houses. Many people suffer in limbo from displaced relatives. We need to open our country to those in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other war torn places. John Oliver highlights how translators that saved American soldiers lives over there have been treated. Since the war began only three have successfully immigrated to the U.S. If we were able to do it during the Korean War and Vietnam, we can do it now.
*Forgive all student loan debt by having the United States government assume the debt and repay it at 10% interest too the banks until all payments are finished. Let's get rid of this bubble before it pops! Over a trillion in debt is still owed by students, many whom default and get into cycle of bad debt.
*Increase social security payments, Raise the FICA cap, lower retirement age from 65 to 55, medicaid eligibility to 50 and have anyone under 50 have an option to buy into the system. Medicare/Medicaid has a 3% overhead cost. It would be cheaper to do this!
*Reign in the surveillance state by restore 4th amendment safeguards. Simply - stop spying. Many countries such as Germany have laws that govern against spying on their citizens. Why don't we just stop?
*Mirror the education budget with the military budget. Whatever is spent on the military must also be spent on education, increasing teacher pay, and investing in student capital.
*4 trillion dollar infrastructure bank - We need to invest in the United States again. Our crumbling infrastructure needs to be saved and made new for a brand new century.
*Push for the return of Glass-Steagall. Our economy has been destabilized and will eventually crash again.
*An end of weaponized unrestricted drone warfare.
*A push for marriage equality - everyone has the right to love who they want - regardless of what state they live in.
Now that is an articulated vision that I know is totally unrealistic or pragmatic or whatever language is used to explain why we can't have nice things. If our leaders spoke of a vision of even a fraction of these things it would ignite a lot of passion in our upcoming midterm elections. He could you know, push Tom Wheeler to declare the internet a Common Carrier, or reject the Keystone pipeline outright tomorrow.
I understand that the next few election cycles are going to determine the future of this planet. If science is already saying that in about 100 years it will be functionally impossible to go outside - that's freaking scary. We know that republicans and their obstructionism, funneled with dark money from the Koch brothers and special interests are working against that. We know that we have to get out the vote, make calls, hit the pavement, and try and see what races we can affect locally.
President Obama isn't on the ballot. His policies are however and many democrats are running away from those accomplishments instead of campaigning on them. They should be proud of a lot of what has been accomplished. The ACA has resulted in millions getting insurance for the first time. Partisans, especially those who read this blog have not lost sight that the Republicans have caused tremendous strife to our future.
You know who hasn't done that? Left wing critics of the president. Our party has been dragged to the right since the 1980s as the Republicans have grown extreme to the point where anyone left of Newt Gingrich is a full blown commie. That's what we are dealing with. There is no question that the control of the Senate will determine the next two years. It's fucking scary. I get people have nerves up the wazoo on this topic, but telling other liberals that bashing the president on a blog is going to influence the outcome of the election is silly. Since 9/11 dissent has been equated with being called a traitor. Do we wanna walk down that path again? The 2008 primary debates with Hillary v Obama we bad enough.
What do we really need?
A party that will articulate a bold vision for the future that will inspire a generation. (you know kinda what we did in 2008)