Serious failures
Just when we need them most, Democratic leaders in Washington and Madison only seem willing to let us down.
By
Ed Garvey
post a letter about this article »
How does the ordinary person get his/her voice heard? Our votes have been weakened by those who have money and power. Our letters get canned replies touting all the wonderful things our representatives have done or said when they agree and blaming others when they do not. Phone calls are returned by powerless lackeys.
The media no longer simply reports facts, they skew them to satisfy editorial policy.
Forming a new party is an admirable response but don't expect a new party to solve real problems for real people.
If it's jobs we want, then let's start working with one another to create good jobs with livable wages. We must insist that employers take less for themselves and giving more to us workers so we can all get the ball rolling again.
If its healthcare, let's start working with doctors to keep costs down by first not burdening an already over burdened system. If it's a choice of getting paid, I bet most doctors would be happy with something rather than with nothing.
If a neighbor is out of work, share a meal or lend that neighbor a hand. We are all friends and neighbors in one way or another. These are times when we need to pull together and give one another support and encouragement and hope.
If we are to change the tenor of our communities and country, we need to be more aware of what's going on around us. We need to become socially proactive.
We need to instill hope that the future will not only work, but that it will be there when we arrive.
Sitting on our hands or in the comforts of our own spheres of happiness no longer cuts it.
-Franz Fripplfrappl | Stoughton, WI | February 9, 2010
Would you call Ryan's gutsy proposal Leadership? Some do.
-Jo Egelhoff | Appleton, WI | February 9, 2010
Democrats were swept into office in 2008 to do something for the average person. The Bush administration's goals had been to reduce US wages to third-world levels, to wage unending wars and to launch an assault on the American public to leave them unable to fight back. It worked!
As they so often do, once in power Democrats decided to favor the rich, favor insurance companies and ensure government workers were taken care of before the private sector.
Examined objectively, there is little difference between the Democrats and Republicans. Democrats insult the Constitution by refusing to investigate the many crimes committed by Bush which left the people powerless to fight back. They toady to large corporations, and leave the burden of paying for unending wars and assaults on our civil liberties.
I would favor a socialist party. It worked in Wisconsin before and it can work again. What we have now clearly does not work. Our US Senators appear powerless; while single senators from other states (Shelby - Lieberman) hold the entire government hostage ours have no power at the national level at all. Why is that?
-Atty. Nick Zales | MIlwaukee WI | February 9, 2010
For 30 of my 39 years I have lived in the shadow of conservative policy begun with Reagan's Presidency. I do not remember the good old days of Democratic power.
It is hard for me to hope for a solution from the mute, castrated Democratic party that has done nothing but sample the winds of public opinion and shift ever right of center. Although I empathize with those who remember and hope for a return to glory, I simply do not see it happening with the enormous burden of campaign finance occupying career politician's every waking moment.
Talk is cheap. I am more inclined daily to simply run for Congress as an independent and take the fight to them.
My platform:
* Institute Medicare for All, increase existing Medicare withholding by 4% for employers and 4% for employees to pay for true universal health care
* Increase the top tax rate to 70% (as it was in 1980) for the top 5% of earners - use that money to balance the budget and pay down the National debt
* Eliminate the income cap on Social Security contributions ($106,800 for 2010), so that no matter how much you make you continue to pay in the same percentage as everyone else - use that money to shore up and expand Social Security
* End the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - use a portion of the war budget on humanitarian efforts to truly win by making friends of our alleged enemies
* Pass term limit legislation to make our elected officials use their time wisely and not seek eternal careers in office
* Drastically cut the Defense budget - use the money to dramatically increase the Health and Human Services budget
We do not need a third party, one exists called "independent". Who will vote for me in the Fall? Or better yet, who else will run?
It is time to stop talking and start winning.
-Lex Tinker-Sackett | Eau Claire, WI | February 9, 2010
The progressive Democrats in the House of Representatives have done a reasonably good job, unfortunately their job is only a part.
A major problem is the seniority system in the Senate. This bring us committee Chairs like Joe Lieberman, Ben Nelson, Kent Conrad and Max Baucus, along with Harry Reid. All sold out to special interests and most representing states where people vote against their own self-interest.
It is time for the progressive Senators to stand up and vote to replace these do-nothing chairs with people who will lead and get things done for America.
It won't change the 60-vote issue, but it will sure as heck get things moving.
-Tim | Barron, WI | February 9, 2010
A third party?
Do what I do. Become an Independent. No party loyalty here, neither party deserves it.
And an Independent voter can indeed be independent!
The problem with third parties is that they have too much of an uphill battle against the entrenched prostituted parties.
-J.P. the Populist | Bruce,WI | February 14, 2010
