Does anybody in this country still remember being taught
back in high school or college something about a democracy
being "a messy thing, but basically it's rule by the
majority with respect for the minority?" Then why in the
name of common sense are we allowing the crazies to impose
their will on us SO MUCH?
Most of the nonsense fueling the great healthcare reform
debate is nothing but pure propaganda. The Republicans seem
to love their "scare and dare " strategy so much, they find
every way they can to steer helpless Americans away from
seeing the obvious need for reform right now. In
essence...So what if we the people decided we liked Obama &
Hillary more than McCain. So what, if in 2008, both
Democrats made clear healthcare reform would be their top
agenda, and we elected them with that clearly in mind. So
what if history says this messy democracy is always replete
with examples of the public being strongly opposed to
something, fearing the worst. Lincoln's freeing the slaves
in the Southern States ultimately did not destroy the nation
as widely predicted. Reagan's proclaim to the Russians to
tear down the Berlin Wall did not trigger World War III with
Soviets as many pundits then suggested. Bill Clinton even
won re-election and survived a bogus impeachment effort
despite well crafted GOP efforts to distort the facts about
his personal life mistakes making him unfit to stay in the
Oval Office. Will we EVER learn to expect just the opposite
of all the doom and gloomers???
When are we going to get it? Big change...important
change...badly needed change is ALWAYS met with tough
resistance. Instead of freaking out about the Tea Party
movement, with all their racist laced rhetoric and
sensational claims of imminent doom, why not take a chill
pill and see those folks for exactly what they are. Loud
mouths almost always get it wrong...HELLO! Let them blow off
steam. It's what poorly informed people do when they don't
get their way on everything they want. Spoiled brats are
like that.
This nation picked an intelligent man for president who
demonstrated his ability to lead, listen and force the
selfish children of Congress to stay on point and off
political message at the recent healthcare reform summit.
Since millions in our country these days can't seem to
stomach the responsibility of face to face discussions and
negotiations, be it politics or social dating, it was
refreshing to see Mr. Obama boldly take charge and force the
issue. Despite GOP persistent distortions, the public is
NOT overwhelmingly opposed to the compromise plan.
Today's America may long for the days of wartime
leader like FDR or strong arm presidents like Lyndon Johnson
or Richard Nixon to get something done, but truth be told,
we as a people can't seem to handle that anymore. Too many
of us now count on computers to arrange our personal
choices and organize our lives.
So it's no wonder most of us would rather stay in the dark
about the details of meaningful and historic healthcare
reform, and just let some jaded, profit motivated political
hack scare the be jesus out of us with ridiculous talking
points like "death panels for the elderly" and "ObamaCare"
posters fashioned with the likeness of Hitler. It would seem
we've gotten too lazy to see the big picture for ourselves,
and more importantly, stay committed to our collective vote
to improve the greater good by providing more Americans will
affordable healthcare.
Well,
I say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Would those spineless Democrats we
elected in Congress in 2008 kindly do the will of the people
and pass the Obama health care proposal! Then let's see if
time can work its usual magic like it did with equally
controversial legislation like social security, civil rights
and medicare. We've learned, now in hindsight, how important
it really was to have the courage to ride out the initial
storms those plans first created.
Maybe then, after passing healthcare reform, we the
people can move onto the midterm elections this fall. But
this year, let's not allow ourselves to be sucked in and
pumped up by simple-minded fear tactics and obviously
dishonest pledges to restore America to the wonder years
like under Ronald Reagan, ( which, by the way in all
reality, was anything but great for poor people and the
middle class in the 1980s.) In 2010, we the people should
have our own intractable mindset and force the politicians
to meet our litmus tests or be expelled from Capitol Hill.
Demand simply that every incumbent member of
Congress publicly explain their reasons for trying to sneak
each piece of expensive pork projects measures into defense
and other important legislation. Then follow-up and ask
those clowns in Washington if they are SO concerned about
the nation's growing deficit, why was their pet project
still more important than America's overall economic future?
For every new candidate running for Congress make
them prove their political nomination was not paid for by
those political street gang thugs from both parties who are
more interested in numbers and muscle then public needs and
expectations. Make potential newcomers as scared as we are
about our economic futures.
Above all...Forget those clever slogans like "Let's take
back our country," and try taking back our common sense!
Instead of falling in line with outlandish groups, crazy
causes, pundit preachings and self righteous profiteers with
slick political talking points, let's all remember our
heritage as Americans. We did much more than dump some tea
in a bay to send a message to a British king. Our ancestors
had the common sense to create a complicated federal system
so no one man or party could hold us all hostage. Instead of
avoiding the process of learning how our government is
structure and work, let's do our job and try! Otherwise
those idiots who keep getting elected based on false claims
and scare tactics will keep toasting themselves with
champagne while we try to figure out how to pay our water
bills.
It's better to send packing some or all of
those big title folks in Washington and take our
chance with a Congress of full of freshmen, then to see all
of America go down the tubes because we keep electing
officials whose self importance never allows them to grow up
and stop digging in their heals like school yard bullies.
Maybe it they faced the real prospect of unemployment like
we do. and we forced them, their egos and their treasured
families to be more understanding about the realities faced
by every day Americans, maybe these stubborn, "we know
better" political leaders will stop showing our children how
stupid and costly it can be to prioritize an
entitlement mentality.
Bob Rucker
Journalism Professor
Radio & TV News Coordinator
San Jose State University
Bob is also a Former CNN Correspondent & Newsweek
Broadcasting Feature Producer.
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