by Donald B. Ardell – 02.07.2010
This essay is about Scott Brown, now a U.S. Senator from the
great state of Massachusetts (aren't all states great?). I think Senator
Brown is going to be seen as an unintentional benefactor of President
Obama and the Democratic Party. At least I'd like to think so, though
please don't take "heaven above" as other than a derisive reference
to a popular religious superstition.
I met and enjoyed the company of Scott Brown on two
different occasions, the first a somewhat dramatic encounter after crossing the
finish line of a grueling two hour-plus run/bike/run competition in St. Cloud,
MN. It was over 90 degrees on that day several years ago. He came
to my aid (having finished his own race much earlier!), evidently thinking I
was in some kind of trouble, perhaps because I was flat on my back in nearby
grass, with arms outstretched, eyes closed and mouth open shortly after
finishing. Anyway, I appreciated his concern and compassion for an
overheated, exhausted old guy - who was a total stranger. A few years
later, in Carlsbad, CA., he and I enjoyed a reunion after another multi-sport
event - this time after I finished in good form.
Based upon these two personal encounters and a limited
amount of correspondence, I found then state assemblyman Brown gracious and
charming, athletically impressive and otherwise a fine fellow well met. If he
were not a Republican, I would have contributed to his campaign for the U.S.
Senate, which he managed to win without my contribution.
His election to the seat occupied for nearly half a century
by the late, semi-sainted Senator Ted Kennedy was not an occasion for joy, in
that the vote was widely viewed, correctly I believe, as a sign of general
discontent by not just the Massachusetts but the American electorate, as well -
and specific disenchantment with the Administration and the Democratic
Party. Both deserve the rebuke. I might have voted for Brown, too, and
not because I favor the Republicans. I would have gone with Brown despite his
political party and irrespective of the fact that I know him personally. I want
change I can believe in - from Obama and the Democrats. I want no more special
deals for powerful House and Senate members - and I want other things fixed
more than I want health care reformed. The first thing I want is for Obama to
go after the basic cause of our problems - the Republican Party and its
divisive and destructive policies.
I want Obama to fight the enemies of the people - the Right
Wing theocratic Republicans who have brought the nation to its knees. The
lock-step Republican opposition to government-based recovery must be addressed
at the highest level. Republicans - the party of Bush that in eight years of
tax cuts to big business and two unnecessary wars turned a budget surplus of
$5.6 trillion into a $5 trillion national debt, are the number one threat to
good government and the recovery of America. If people only realized that it is
unpatriotic to permit this band of radical conservatives to steal our
progressive, secular democracy, they would not have elected Brown. If they
realized the destruction the Party has wrought, they would and I hope they will
wipe out this ghastly Party at the ballot box in 2010. Obama must declare war
on the real enemy within, the disloyal opposition that wants policies that will
guarantee further job losses and continued unemployment, an even bigger
deficit, increased climate change and all the other damages and setbacks
suffered under Bush. Obama should campaign not FOR health reform but against
the Republican policies that have given us a dire economy, rapacious big
bankers and Wall Street robber barons, foreclosures and lost wealth by the upper
middle class on down the line due to destructive, deregulated markets.
I think the president should use the two thirds remaining
from the $787 billion stimulus package to build roads, promote and reward
quality schools and teachers and initiate other good-government initiatives
that stimulate the economy, create jobs, restore confidence and build trust in
government.
Scott Brown's win should and probably will stimulate the
president to shape a more coherent message and to change course. Because of the
shock of Brown's win, the president is more likely to get in front of the
populist parade that wants the economy fixed first and a dozen other things
attended before health care is reformed. Polls indicate only 24% want such
reform at this time - the public overwhelmingly wants the economy saved if not
fixed first. If Obama can understand and act on this message, Brown will have
done him a huge favor, a favor that would not have occurred if Martha Coakley
had won the election for the vacant seat.
Can Obama change course? Yes he can. At least I hope so.
Don Ardell is the Well Infidel. He favors evidence over faith, reason over revelation and
meaning and purpose over spirituality. This enthusiasm is reflected in his dozen books, a thousand lectures
worldwide and a few thousand essays at several different websites, including
the Wellness Center at Seek Wellness.com.