Yes, yes, I understand the Pelosi-Reid explanation for not putting up a fight -- politics is the art of the possible after all, you've got to pick your battles, got to survive to come back to fight another day (in September), etc., etc. (Although, as I heard Rob Kall say on Air America Radio the other day, the Democrats actually did have enough votes for a simple majority to resubmit the same bill.) The Democratic leadership is just playing by the rules of Realpolitikk. I understand that. But they have to understand that Realpolitikk in America has been updated to include a new/old factor that's been sleeping for a long, long time: We the People are fed up with empty promises and political maneuvering and ulterior agendas from our representatives. We are taking matters back into our own hands, demanding advocacy not sound bites. No longer content to trustingly turn the store over to our leaders, we are leading the way ourselves. And it's about time. Our nation was originally constituted such that those in government rule only by consent -- "at the pleasure", if you will -- of the governed. We're reawakening to the ancient notion that democracy is a day-to-day, hands-on business. Hello!
Now understand, we are not looking for a knight on a white horse who will come in take care of everything while we go back to the shopping mall, credit cards at the ready. No, we are looking for a strong and principled advocate. Someone who follows our lead, steps up to the plate and bats for us, who responds to our needs, our demands. That's why we put you there in the first place. To paraphrase Bill Cosby: We put you in office, we can take you out.
That said, I actually would like to help you, Democratic Party, to do well by doing good. Not out of blind loyalty, but because you're still our best hope for advocacy. You've been terrific with the Oversight and Investigation process. And you started off on the right foot with the Iraq War funding issue, before you stumbled. So there is hope. But you have only one more chance, I fear. So listen up.
When you cobble together the next Iraq War supplemental spending bill, do it in a smart way this time! Here is my suggestion:
This is not punitive, nor is it a trick. It is an acknowledgement of simple reality. And it's only fair. When we Americans realize that we will be called upon to stand shoulder to shoulder with our long overburdened brothers and sisters in Iraq, there will be a surge in the public's participation in government decision making. I can't think of any better way to materially support the troops.
**************************************************************How can the president object to supporting the troops in this very real way?
Honestly, how can we object either?
