One year ago my hopes were higher. I expected much from the Democratic leaders. Never in my wildest dreams did I figure these decent men and women would dither away their opportunity to be part of a historic 111th Congress.
Democrats believe in government and the 49% of Americans who agree with them are the strength of the Democratic National Party. We are the backbone, muscle, feet, voice and brains of the party. It is not by coincidence we have chosen to align with this party. We believe the core of government is the people. We believe that by standing together we can conqueor every adversity that comes our way.
I still believe those things. I also believe my ideological belief in government is mine and the Democratic leaders great weakness. Democratic leaders want to help our government work. Everything Republicans and conservatives do is geared toward making government NOT WORK. From his point of view, Bush thought Brownie was doing a heck of a job.
Look at this Gallup poll and tell me what is there to fear? Democrats have solid numbers. National Average: 49% lean Democrat. 20.7% describe their political views as Liberal.
And yet you dither. Democratic leaders can not make up their collective minds. They are too concerned about their image. About the results of their next election. For some reason y’all have decided that doing nothing beats getting it done. Speaking only for myself I must tell you how disgusting your attitude has become. I say do
Whatever it takes.
If that includes reconciliation, if you have to take a cloture vote on every measure, or recess appointments, so be it. Go all out with maximum effort and win or lose, be the Congress audacious enough to try.
Reconciliation in the Senate Sarah A. Binder - Brookings
Truth and Reconciliation: Sidestepping the FilibusterBrookings
Thomas E. Mann, Senior Fellow, Governance Studies
Norman J. Ornstein, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute
Molly Reynolds, Senior Research Coordinator, Governance Studies
Reconciliation US News.com
Obama calls for talks with GOP on health care, then vote by Congress CNN Feb. 4, 2010
Recess Appointments Eyed To Surmount GOP Filibusters of Nominees CQ Today Midday Update Feb. 4, 2010
Under a recess appoint, President Obama could install nominees of his choosing without Senate confirmation. But they could serve only until the end of next year.
