I want to know that there is some steel behind the cool façade. This summer the message has been taken from you. You need to take it back, strongly. I want the low growl that says we are going to get this done. I want to hear an attitude that says, "Any Democrat stepping out of line at this point is done. Not because I say so, but because every person who worked for me last year will be ticked off. Do you seriously think any volunteer will work for you next year if this opportunity is squandered?".... Look straight at the Congress and continue with, "You were sent here to do a job. So am I. Many of you are here because of me. You were swept into office because of change. Those of you Democrats who have multiple terms benefited from last year's campaign. You are to put it on the line and get the public option done."
I can only speak for myself, of course, but I have a feeling that I'm not alone when I say that, as a proud Liberal/Progressive, I'm frustrated by and ashamed of what I've seen thus far. Barack Obama was elected in large part because Progressives put their noses to the grindstone and worked hard for him. Since taking office, President Obama seems to have forgotten his roots. Instead of working for the causes he championed during the campaign, he's spent his time pandering to Conservatives...as if he needs them to accomplish his agenda. Don't get me wrong, I admire his desire for bipartisanship, but the word implies a willingness to compromise on BOTH sides. Bipartisanship doesn't mean a sitting Democratic President emasculating his agenda in order to get Conservatives on board. It also doesn't mean caving in to Conservatives who wouldn't recognize bipartisanship if it showed up with three hookers and a few grams of Bolivian marching powder.
Let's face facts, shall we? Conservatives will team up with Barack Obama at about the same time I'm elected Queen of England. These are the same folks who spent eight years working to shove their agenda down our throats. Are we now to believe that they suddenly wish to work WITH Democrats in a truly bipartisan manner? Look...I may have been born at night, but is wasn't last night. If Conservatives have demonstrated one thing, it's that they simply don't understand the concept of bipartisanship.
I'm tired of watching a President who came into office with so much promise squandering this opportunity. I want to see this President doing what needs to be done in order to put his agenda in motion. If it means telling Republicans to go fornicate themselves if their plan is to be the party of "No!", then so be it. If it means twisting arms and reminding Democrats that many of them are in office because they rode his coattails, then do it. I'm tired of Republicans feeling powerful because they sense weakness in this President.
Fortunately, there is still time to get this ship back on course. President Obama has the opportunity to reclaim control and fulfill the promises he made during his campaign. It starts with health care, and it needs to start now. Instead of pandering to Republicans and those Democrats devoid of anything resembling political courage, this President needs to draw a line in the sand. Here's what needs to happen; make it so. No half-measures. No waffling. If we can conduct two wars simultaneously halfway around the world, we can certainly figure our how to guarantee every American quality, affordable health care. If this President fails at this, the remainder of his term promises to be nothing if anticlimactic and hugely disappointing. If he can use his bully pulpit to fight for and real change, there might still be hope.
Isn't it about time we saw this President show some fight? No more Mr. Nice Guy.... It's time to kick some ass and take name...and it needs to start yesterday.
