If Democrats can't muster the courage to stand up now and fight for President Barack Obama's fiscal stimulus package, then don't expect them to fight for anything else during Obama's presidency.
If the Democrats won't fight, the wealthy will get richer, the middle class will lose more ground and the poor will suffer more over the next four years. More people will suffer and die needlessly so health insurance companies can make profits. There will be fewer jobs in the nation and fewer opportunities to go to college. Retirement will be that quaint program of the past once championed by those weird liberals.
If Democrats won't fight, they could lose big in the 2010 Congressional elections, and Obama might not be reelected in 2012.
The $820 billion fiscal stimulus package-trimmed to $780 billion at this point--will help this nation escape another Great Depression, and the U.S. Senate should pass it without any major changes from the House version. But Republicans oppose the bill. The bill, if anything, should spend more money, not less. It will put people to work. It will put billions of dollars directly back into the economy. Who cares what the obstructionist Republicans think? Their ideology of market fundamentalism has been soundly repudiated and soundly rejected. They are the people who squandered former President Bill Clinton's budget surplus. How dare a Congressional Republican even mention budget deficits after former President George Bush's reign of fiscal terror.
Why can't or won't the Democratic politicians fight? Why are they scared? It's a sickening spectacle-it literally should make Democratic voters nauseated-to watch major Democratic leaders try to soothe the political egos of extremist Republicans as they remove this or that part of the package because it doesn't fit with GOP ideology. They should stop now. The Republicans aren't interested in bipartisanship. They never have been. Who in their right mind would think the Republican Party, in its current form, believes in bipartisanship? Call for the vote. If the GOP and its Tom Coburns can stop the bill in the U.S. Senate, then so be it. If some turncoat Democrats want to join the GOP, then so be it. Real Democrats can then find ways to work around the immoral obstructionists and extremists that run the GOP these days. They can also find ways to get around those Republicans who pose as Democrats.
President: Barack Obama. There is no question the country's government needs great change to face its pressing problems. It's absurd anyone would think John McCain would deviate substantially from the policy positions of President George Bush. For this reason alone, Barack Obama is the clear choice. Obama also has the potential to be one of the greatest American presidents ever by uniting the country during a difficult time. An Obama presidency would represent a historical change of seismic proportions.
U.S. Senator: Andrew Rice. It's clear U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe has been in Washington too long. What has he done all these years? Well, he has repeatedly embarrassed many people in the state with his outrageous and divisive comments about global warming and cultural wedge issues. This is a year of change. State Sen. Andrew Rice represents change. He is bright and articulate and will serve as a great Oklahoma ambassador in Washington.
Corporation Commissioner: Jim Roth, Charles Gray. Jim Roth proved his mettle as a Oklahoma County Commissioner. Gov. Brad Henry then appointed Roth to the Corporation Commission, and he has served with composure and distinction. He deserves your vote. In the other Corporation Commission race, Charles Gray deserves your vote. Gray would bring a real people's view to the commission.
U.S Representative: Dan Boren. It's essential Oklahomans return Dan Boren to Washington. As it stands now, he is the only Democrat in the state's Congressional delegation. He adds balance to the delegation and helps the state's image in the process. Boren is a centrist-to-conservative Democrat who has represented the state with distinction. He deserves your vote. I would urge voters in other Congressional districts to also vote Democratic this year.
District 84 State Representative: Ron Marlett. As I wrote earlier, "Ron Marlett is the clear choice for state representative in House District 84, a seat now held by Sally Kern, the right-wing ideologue who made national news when she publicly claimed homosexuality is a greater threat to the nation than terrorism." Marlett's election would tell the world that Oklahoma will not tolerate the hateful, extremist views of political leaders.
You can change politics in this country at every level -- up and down the ballot.
There's a candidate in Oklahoma who's working to bring the change this country needs, and that candidate is Andrew Rice. Get involved and help bring change now.
"Senator Obama is also a person of sound and good judgment. He had the good judgment more than five years ago to warn against our involvement in this tragic and costly war. He also understands the need to repair our partnerships with other nations and to more effectively use diplomacy to serve our national interests."-David Boren
David Boren's recent endorsement of Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama is an oasis of hope for the state when compared to Oklahoma's growing national reputation as a right-wing, intolerant haven for gay bashers and immigrant haters.
His endorsement also could be read as a wake up call to academics in the state. In a statement related to the endorsement, Boren, pictured right, president of the University of Oklahoma, said, "I am joining Senator Barack Obama's advisory team on foreign policy and national security because I believe it is my duty as a citizen to do all I can to help our country at this critical moment. Our strength is declining. Eighty-one percent of Americans believe we are heading in the wrong direction. We must act quickly to meet and overcome the challenges we face."
In other words, the country's political systems are broken. Oklahoma academics, using Boren as an example, should get involved in this presidential election as citizens "at this critical moment" in history no matter whom they support and that includes the Republican presumptive nominee John McCain. There needs to be real debate and dialogue among Americans about the country's direction. Now more than ever, academics are crucial in starting and maintaining this debate. A real debate will not be fostered by mainstream media outlets, which are stuck in tabloid-like rhetorical frames, a lazy, laughable "gotcha" flag pin reporting that has very little meaning in today's world. The recent ABC "debate" hosted by Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos represented a new low in meaningless, tabloid television.
This is a community blog operated since 2006 by people dedicated to promoting and restoring progressive values in Oklahoma. A courageous band of patriots, we fight right-wing tyranny in one of the reddest of red states. Do you want to help by posting here? Do you want traffic back to your blog or site? We welcome posts written by liberals and centrist to conservative Democrats and Independents. Register above and start posting. Crossposting is allowed. Questions? Contact kurt.hochenauer@gmail.com.
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