To be trimmed and sent to pundits and democratic strategists:
Last week, we saw popular and just legislation for 9/11 rescuers and civil rights in the military stymied by cynical Republicans in Congress. For the last two years, they have been stonewalling progress on every front for their own political gain. Republican politicians have been crying, "Things are terrible," while banking on the situation getting worse, so they can run on Obama and the Democrats not fixing things.
Times _are_ tough, but we, as a people, have always known ours will be a better tomorrow. We share this faith. Nevertheless, in fighting aid to workers, small businesses, first responders, and our armed services; in refusing to work on health care, energy, and immigration reform; in constantly stalling, saying 'no', and hoping for the worst, Republican in Congress have bet against America. They are wrong. Every one of us knows, you don't bet against the American people, and you don't bet against the United States.
We know things _will_ get better, but it will be harder for everyone if Republicans in Congress, and especially in the Senate, persist in pushing only gridlock and measures benefiting the richest among us. The Senate's recent passage of a major tax-cut compromise has been greeted with relief, simply because it bucks the trend of inaction. However, Republican leaders in both the Senate and the House remain firm on their general strategy of _not_ compromising and not allowing the other side anything akin to an accomplishment. They have set their sights on defeating Obama and the Democrats, rather than fixing the problems faced by our nation. This strategy is new, it is hurting America, and it is wrong.
In times of crisis, Americans have always worked together, and come through for the common good. It is time to follow the example of generations before. It is time for people to be as patriotic as they say they are. It is time for responsible Republicans to push for more than just tax cuts, and to start working across the aisle. It is time for Republicans in Congress to start helping, and stop betting against America.
...
And revised:
Last week, we saw popular and just legislation for 9/11 rescuers and civil rights in the military stymied by cynical Republicans in Congress. For two years, they have been stonewalling progress on every front for their own political gain. They have been crying, "Things are terrible," while banking on the situation getting worse, so they can complain Obama and the Democrats haven't fixed our problems. By fighting aid to Americans in time of need; by refusing to work on reforms; by constantly stalling and hoping for the worst, Republicans in Congress have bet against America. They are wrong. Every one of us knows, you don't bet against the American people, and you don't bet against the United States of America. Times are tough, but Americans have always known ours will be a better tomorrow. Our brightest days _are_ still ahead, but it will be harder for everyone if Republicans in Congress persist in pushing only gridlock and measures most benefiting those who need it the least.
The Senate's recent passage of tax compromises has been greeted with relief, simply because it bucks the trend of inaction. However, Republican leaders in both the Senate and the House remain firm on their general strategy of _not_ compromising and not allowing the other side any accomplishment. Rather than fixing the problems faced by our nation, they have set their sights on defeating Obama and the Democrats. This strategy is new, it is hurting America, and it is wrong.
In times of crisis, Americans have always worked together for the common good. We need to follow that great example. It is time for politicians to be as patriotic as they say they are. It is time for responsible Republicans to push for more than just tax cuts, and to start working across the aisle. It is time for Republicans in Congress to start helping, and stop betting against America.
[Addendum from February 3, 2011: Storing this away, and not sending it to anyone, given the change in tone following the Phoenix shooting. Still possible this might be applicable later, but likely not if the House can work with Obama on some things, which is the only way anything will get done.]
Last week, we saw popular and just legislation for 9/11 rescuers and civil rights in the military stymied by cynical Republicans in Congress. For the last two years, they have been stonewalling progress on every front for their own political gain. Republican politicians have been crying, "Things are terrible," while banking on the situation getting worse, so they can run on Obama and the Democrats not fixing things.
Times _are_ tough, but we, as a people, have always known ours will be a better tomorrow. We share this faith. Nevertheless, in fighting aid to workers, small businesses, first responders, and our armed services; in refusing to work on health care, energy, and immigration reform; in constantly stalling, saying 'no', and hoping for the worst, Republican in Congress have bet against America. They are wrong. Every one of us knows, you don't bet against the American people, and you don't bet against the United States.
We know things _will_ get better, but it will be harder for everyone if Republicans in Congress, and especially in the Senate, persist in pushing only gridlock and measures benefiting the richest among us. The Senate's recent passage of a major tax-cut compromise has been greeted with relief, simply because it bucks the trend of inaction. However, Republican leaders in both the Senate and the House remain firm on their general strategy of _not_ compromising and not allowing the other side anything akin to an accomplishment. They have set their sights on defeating Obama and the Democrats, rather than fixing the problems faced by our nation. This strategy is new, it is hurting America, and it is wrong.
In times of crisis, Americans have always worked together, and come through for the common good. It is time to follow the example of generations before. It is time for people to be as patriotic as they say they are. It is time for responsible Republicans to push for more than just tax cuts, and to start working across the aisle. It is time for Republicans in Congress to start helping, and stop betting against America.
...
And revised:
Last week, we saw popular and just legislation for 9/11 rescuers and civil rights in the military stymied by cynical Republicans in Congress. For two years, they have been stonewalling progress on every front for their own political gain. They have been crying, "Things are terrible," while banking on the situation getting worse, so they can complain Obama and the Democrats haven't fixed our problems. By fighting aid to Americans in time of need; by refusing to work on reforms; by constantly stalling and hoping for the worst, Republicans in Congress have bet against America. They are wrong. Every one of us knows, you don't bet against the American people, and you don't bet against the United States of America. Times are tough, but Americans have always known ours will be a better tomorrow. Our brightest days _are_ still ahead, but it will be harder for everyone if Republicans in Congress persist in pushing only gridlock and measures most benefiting those who need it the least.
The Senate's recent passage of tax compromises has been greeted with relief, simply because it bucks the trend of inaction. However, Republican leaders in both the Senate and the House remain firm on their general strategy of _not_ compromising and not allowing the other side any accomplishment. Rather than fixing the problems faced by our nation, they have set their sights on defeating Obama and the Democrats. This strategy is new, it is hurting America, and it is wrong.
In times of crisis, Americans have always worked together for the common good. We need to follow that great example. It is time for politicians to be as patriotic as they say they are. It is time for responsible Republicans to push for more than just tax cuts, and to start working across the aisle. It is time for Republicans in Congress to start helping, and stop betting against America.
[Addendum from February 3, 2011: Storing this away, and not sending it to anyone, given the change in tone following the Phoenix shooting. Still possible this might be applicable later, but likely not if the House can work with Obama on some things, which is the only way anything will get done.]
I was just browsing through Blogspot and ran across this. You made my day! It's so reassuring to know that intelligent and logical people still exist. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI just can't believe all those folks who voted for the Republicans are happy with this. Is this what they wanted? I thought the deficit was task number 1? Apparently not. I can only home the economy improves and so do Obama's chances in 2012.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds canned to me. But if you're sending it to politicians that might not be detrimental.
ReplyDeleteOne of the comments above states "I thought the deficit was task number 1". This is only a recent talking point of the Democrats, prior to that it was spend, spend, spend and of course borrow from China at every turn. The Republicans have not been saying "no" simply to be obstructionists they have instead been doing a great service to this country. Consider this, practically every proposal put forth by the Obama administration has been opposed by the majority of folks in this country. Very little has been proposed that has been beneficial for the country, most would have been a travesty. Way to go Republicans, continue to keep this country on the right track. And no it does not mean going back to George Bush so give it up please.
ReplyDelete