Progressive Democrats, Blinded by Ideiology, Failed to Understand the Angst of the American Elecotrate, and are now suprirsed by threats - image icis.com
The Health Care Reform Billis going back to the House, due to amendments that violate Congressional Budget Rules. Senate Republicans found two rules in the Bill that involved the government takeover of the student loan industry. Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader, will remove these provisions and a vote is expected in the Senate today. The Health Care Reform bill was signed into Law by President Obama prior to any “fixes” taking place – the bill, moved through the House as part of a reconciliation or budget procedure. Once the Senate approves the bill it goes back to the House for final approval. The House approved the bill only after Obama promised Pro-Life Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak, that he would sign an “Executive Order” banning the use of public funds for abortions. The Executive Order carries little to no weight as it is not considered a “law”. In addition, Stupak’s district received several million dollars in grants two days prior the House vote. Once Stupak agreed to a “yes” vote on the Bill, the balance of the pro-life Democrats followed suit, votes which were critical for passage. Now that the bill goes back to the House a second time, the question remains, if the House does not approve the Senate version, does the Bill Obama sign have legs to stand on?
Certain members of the House are now claiming that they are being threatened for voting yes on the original reconciliation bill. Alleged threats to members of Congress, made by unknown sources, have apparently become so severe that Democrat Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer (MD), has decided to use the issue as a political football, asking Republicans to condemn attacks on Democrat House members. Hoyer, a day late and a dollar short, missed the fact that Minority Leader, John Boehner (R-OH), had already done so, explaining that American’s are angry but should channel that anger into the voting booth. Boehner has emerged as a solid leader in the Congress and will, in all likelihood, become the next Speaker after the 2010 elections.
The threats range from a coffin placed “near” the home of a Missouri Democrat, to threatening calls placed to members including the author of Deem and Pass, Louise Slaughter (NY). How concerned are Progressive Democrats? A Colorado Representative Betsy Markey, has asked for increased security around her home – just in case it might be vandalized. Why the focus on tying the Tea Party to the Republican Party in these alleged threats? It is a matter of self-preservation for the Progressive Democrat Party.
Progressive Congressional Democrats should have been prepared for this type of backlash. Over the summer of 2009, scores of Town Hall meetings were held across the country, where citizens from all political parties gave voice to their concerns and rejections of a nationalized health care bill. Some of these forums became so contentious that many of the House Democrats cancelled or refused to attend Town Hall meetings. In addition to pressure from those who did not support the bill, the pressure on the same Democrats from members of unions, special interest groups and especially the White House and Congressional Leadership was just as intense. They knew, well in advance, that this type of backlash was probable. However, the Democrats, instead of admitting that the bill is a problem for more than half of the population, (including members of their party), pressed ahead, with ideology a major motivator for some, and bribery for others.
Who do Progressives blame? They blame members of the “Tea Party” movement, which is wrongly and intentionally tagged as part and parcel of the Republican Party. The Tea Party movement is a coalition of citizens who are disenfranchised from all political parties, and will only support incumbents or candidates that have similar ideals. The makeup of the body is a combination of Republicans, Democrats and especially independents or unaffiliated voters. The Tea Party movement is running its own candidates in several districts, which gives rise to the theory that the “movement” will eventually evolve into a political party, if it has not has not already done so.
The threat to the Progressive Democrats is significant; it appears that they will lose the House and possibly the Senate in 2010, which will allow the Tea Party to grow its base as a significant third party. Should the trend continue and the Progressives lose additional seats in both the House and the Senate (it is almost certain at this point the White House will have a new occupant in 2012), the party will be marginalized to the point where an opening exists for the emergence of a new strong national party. This is where the “alleged” threats are being used to try and demonize and marginalize both the Republican and Tea Parties at the same time.
Therefore, when the bill goes back to the House on Friday, House Democrats “defying” threats and voting for Reform, may see themselves (or be promoted as) hero’s for facing down the “angry mob”, that said, the American Public has already formed an opinion on this particular issue and those not in favor of the Bill, will simply use the ballot box in November as a way to make their point. As to those threats, should they prove credible, it is the level of anger and angst by members of all political parties, including the unaffiliated that gives rise to these actions.
No one individual’s fringe reaction makes an entire political parties or movements responsible and the public is well aware of that fact. They are also aware that those who voted Yes most likely would face threats from the less than sane citizens on both sides (Progressive who did not think the Bill went far enough and members of all parties who felt the Bill went too far), and should have expected the backlash, and taken measure ahead of the vote, to protect themselves. Therefore, to cry foul now, makes those who should have been prepared, appear foolish in hindsight. To hold press conferences and release statements, these members are setting themselves up for more of the same, it is most probable that public sympathy may not improve; Congress is shown in the polls as the least liked body politic in the nation.
Therefore, a simple statement of facts, lacking hysteria and finger pointing would have done more good for the Progressives (Democrats) than the current tactic. It is doubtful that any members of the House who voted yes on Health Care Reform, will change their vote, therefore, this is all politicized eyewash. Additionally, those who feel the need to threaten an elected official and especially a family member of an elected official should be shown to the nearest rubber room.
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