By Loren Adams, 9 May 2010
For eight miserable years we watched George W. Bush do
nothing but serve the interests of his narrow “base” to the detriment of
everyone and everything else. Meanwhile, we watched as his ignorant right-wing supporters
cheered illegal wars of aggression, lies about WMD to drag us into those wars, defilement
of the Constitution, deliberate breaches of the principle of church-state
separation, election theft, ruination of the economy, astronomical deficits, 2
trillion tax-cut for the rich, deregulation culminating in meltdown, Katrina
catastrophe, appointment of corporate Supreme Court justices, ecological and
environmental disasters, politicization of the Justice Department, outing CIA
agents as vendetta, revised anti-worker regulations, sanctioning illegal
surveillance, trampling civil rights, suspending habeas corpus, legalizing
torture, and showing nothing but utter contempt for we Progressive Democrats.
But at least George recognized and respected his base.
Now, you’ve arrived with quite a different approach. You
rarely “cater to your base.” Your base? You know, the people that got you
elected – expecting a change for the better. Frankly, we feel slapped in
the face almost on a weekly basis.
Where are the following? (1) the closing of GITMO; (2) a
healthcare reform bill that includes a public option keeping costs down; (3) a
Copenhagen agreement with actual teeth; (4) A sane energy and environmental
policy that should have no mention of new offshore drilling or nuclear plants; (5)
rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure; (6) winding down of George Bush’s wars;
and (7) a new diplomatic initiative to Iran that prevents another unnecessary military
conflict.
You seem to offer appeasement to Republican rivals even before
talks begin – which is irrational if you think about it. For example,
before energy negotiations begin in Congress, you announce offshore drilling in
the Atlantic, Arctic, and Gulf. Who’s on your Cabinet, Sarah Palin? Even George
W. wouldn’t be so crass. Is this some kind of “bargaining chip”? Well, if it
is, you’ve just stuck the knife in the back of your supporters. Now, do you
expect us to be energized by November?
Unfortunately, the drill issue is no exception. Take the
healthcare reform bill. It was watered down before you got started. Notably,
you were eager from the get-go to placate Republicans who, in the end, never
came around. Not one. All the while, we were ignored, treated like we had no
say in the matter. You know, the people that elected you. Our proposals would
have saved trillions and proven very popular with the American people.
But it seems the primary objective was to gain “bipartisan”
support. By taking that approach, bills that finally make it past Republican
filibusters and tricky maneuvers are so weak, the final products remain
unpopular to most Americans and thus the dominoes are starting to fall leading to
November’s Waterloo. (You think Gordon Brown has it tough due to an open mike?
Well, your attempt to compromise with Republicans time after time has left you
looking weak.) What’s important is getting the job done for the American
people; compromising with Republicans who’ll never support you is only an
impediment, not a means. Honestly, it’s insane.
Which brings me to your political advisers. Like, where are
they? Aren’t they on the payroll? Where was David Axelrod during the
Massachusetts fiasco? Karl Rove would have seen it coming and would have an
appealing candidate in place to win. Look all across the states. Democratic senatorial
candidates are lackluster, at best, and thus the Senate majority is headed to certain
defeat. What has Tim Kaine been doing? Have we no spine or creativity?
Progressives felt like an underground movement during the
Bush years, like the White Rose Society in Nazi Germany. We worked so hard to
get you elected, and that November night at Grant Park will always be cherished.
We had so much hope.
Now Democratic supporters all across the country especially
feel let down. We invested our time, energy and money to see a change for the
better, but all we’ve gotten in return so far are politicians that value
compromise over conviction. It’s as if you prefer Republicans to like you more than
for your own supporters to stick with you.
That’s what you’re truly up against in November. Your base
is very displeased. A great speech cannot bridge this gap; we want action for
the betterment of all America. We feel like the bride kicked out of bed on her
honeymoon night, a time we’ve been anticipating for so long – and worked
for most of our lives. Sadly, the groom is more concerned about pleasing
someone instead of his new wife. It’s an anti-climax of major proportions, to
be sure.
George Bush got his base inflamed and energized for mid-term
2002 by throwing out war rhetoric and fear. It worked.
What have you done for your base lately, President Obama?