crowbar317's blog

Oh those Republicans and their talking points. This morning I heard a GOP strategist on cable news claim that Republicans could not be blamed for the economic situation because the Democrats "control the White House and the Senate."

First, this is stupid. You see a bill must pass both the Senate AND the House before the president can sign it into law. Who controls the House? The Republicans, who have this far done little more in the form of passing bills than naming post offices or affirming already existing law.

Second, this is bullshit. Yes, the Democrats have a Senate majority in the traditional sense of the word, fifty-one percent or more. But the Senate has its own tradition, one that allows 40 Senators to force 60 votes to pass legislation. And this current crop of Republicans is using that tactic on any legislation more meaningful than, say, naming a post office or affirming already existing law.

Wow, it looks like the president will be in my backyard on Monday. Not literally, but pretty close. Last time I checked the numbers Millers Creek was about 60% Republican and is right in the heart of Foxx country. I can't wait to get out and show my support for the jobs bill.

Color me excited!!

There is a lot not to like about the Affordable Care Act. As an advocate of single-payer there is no reason for me to rehash them all here. But I would like to share a personal success story of the bill.

A few months ago my wife began having severe issues. I don't know what her exact diagnosis was called (mainly because it was made throughout multiple ER visits), but it was certain that she needed some form of uterine surgery.

My wife did not have insurance. This is not because she did not want to carry insurance. It was because, while her employer provided insurance, they did not offer it to part time employees. Which she was. Even though she worked 30+ and many times forty hours per week. and of course no private insurer would touch her because now she had the dreaded preexisting condition.

Tonight I was listening to my friend Kelly Carlin's podcast, Waking from the American Dream. Toward the end her guest, David Feldman, raised a very interesting question: would liberals be as upset if McCain had won the election and we were in the same state we are in now?

I think that perfectly sums up the enthusiasm gap and dissatisfaction. We expected so much more from Obama. We tend to overlook things like the recession being worse than expected, the 2010 GOP wave and obstructionism, and the real victories Obama did gain.

This is not to say that Obama did everything right and should get a pass. But I do think we should ask ourselves how much we over-expected compared with how much he under-preformed.

Anyway, this is one part thought experiment and one part plug for Kelly's podcast, which I highly recommend.

According to my account profile, I have been a member of BlueNC for well over five years. A lot has happened in that half-decade. I got my Bachelor's degree. I tried grad school (blah). I worked on various political campaigns in a variety of positions. I moved into a nice new home. I celebrated my ten year wedding anniversary and my son started high school.

I also saw the 2006 Congressional wave election, the historic 2008 election, and the 2010 backlash election. But, especially in the past few years, I just watched. I watched as the Democrats caved. I watched as the Republicans held the economy hostage in order to score political points. I watched because I felt disgusted and angry and betrayed.

Back when I was a kid I loved baseball. More than anything I wanted to be a baseball player. But I sucked at it. Mainly because, and I will admit it, I was scared of the ball. I gave up my dream because I was afraid of getting beaned.

My fear is that the Democratic party is following the path I chose. Only instead of just affecting one person, their fear will affect millions and millions. They have decided to avoid getting beaned themselves, 10 million poor people can handle a fastball to the noggin.

I will not let this slide. It is time for true progressives to call bullshit, loudly.

First, as I have said before, the country does not need spending cuts. We. Need. Jobs.

Second, tax cuts for the wealthy DOES NOT create jobs.

Third, cutting government spending DOES NOT create jobs.

Fourth, Republicans DO NOT care about deficits.

For some reason that is totally lost on me the Democrats have bought into the, well, sorry to say it again, bullshit.

These days I am more of a reader than writer. I spend my time trying to figure out whether this means I have nothing to say or whether it means nothing I say makes a damn. That said, I have something to say.

I have been in contact with several House members about HR 1695. It basically allows non-regular veterans to draw retirement benefits at the age of 55 rather than 60. My father got me interested in the legislation. Dad served in the NC Army National Guard for 23 years and was discharged in 1992 because of a hip-replacement surgery.

Two hours ago I had never heard the name Pricey Harrison. It just so happened that I emailed every sponsor and co-sponsor of HB726, a bill that would expunge the criminal records of those who committed a misdemeanor before the age of 18 and had a clean record for two years after.

My expectations were of a few form letters over the next few weeks. Instead, around midnight, I get a personal email from Ms. Harrison sent via her iPhone. And did I mention that I do not even live in her district??!

This is the kind of Representative we need in North Carolina and across the country. I ask my fellow BlueNCers to promote this diary and, if you can afford it, throw a few bucks to Ms. Harrison's campaign.

While we all bemoan the current inaction, we should also reward action.

For several days I have been wondering how to respond to Bobby Jindal's speech the other night. I think this says it all..