I didn't watch the speech last night. I chose not to, because I'm tired of speeches. I already know Obama is a great speaker. I already know that his speeches can get people fired up. Heck, my Twitter stream last night proves that.
But.
Where's the follow-through? He talks a great game, he draws beautiful pictures of what could be, but then he deals it all away.
I've heard enough speeches, Mr. President. I want the Progressive visionary you said you were. I didn't just vote for the not-McCain. I don't regret voting for you, I know McCain would be worse, but being better than McCain isn't enough. I want more.
I want action. I want follow-through. I want real honest commitments to the goals you set out.
I want Single Payer health care, and I didn't get it.
I want a strong EPA, and you took it from me.
I want a renewable energy policy.
I want Gitmo closed down.
I want an end to secrets and lies.
I want our troops to come home.
I want corporate accountability.
I want investment in our nation's infrastructure.
I want a strong social safety net.
I want a reasonable tax plan.
I want bodily autonomy.
I want marriage equality.
I want what you promised in wonderful speeches. I want you to pull up your socks and face down the Congressional Republicans who are just out to see you fail.
It is time to stop fearing that you will lose the center. It is time to fear that you will lose your base.
I am the Doorbell Queen, I knocked over a thousand doors for you. As things stand now, I will not walk for you in '12.
You've probably got my vote, but you don't have my feet.
Prove to me that I should spend time walking for you, because I don't volunteer for jellyfish.
First time commenter...
ReplyDeleteI live in Canada, but I follow American politics closely. I had a lot of hopes for what Obama could do for people I care about that live in America.
I didn't see the speech because I had a root canal yesterday and feel like I've been hit by a truck...but I wanted to let you know that there are many, many Canadians that share your frustrations and are so saddened for you that all of those promised things aren't happening.
We're saddened in general by a lot of what's happening for Americans right now.
We wish we had answers for you. We really do. :(
Thank you so much, GirlWithTheCane. And I'm sorry about the root canal.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how you will feel if we get a Perry presidency with a Republican congress (including 60 in the Senate)? It IS possible you know.
ReplyDeleteIf Perry gets the nomination, I may need to rethink my canvassing stance. But for canvassing to be fun (at least for me), I need to feel that the candidate I'm walking for is not just the better candidate, but the RIGHT candidate.
ReplyDeleteSome action from Obama on the items I've listed above, would really make a difference to putting some pep in my step.
Et.5T, if Perry wins and gets a majority in both houses, I will feel as though the Republicans are in control.
ReplyDeleteThis will be different from our current situation... how, exactly?
I sometimes think that's what it's going to take. Four years of no one checking to see if you really get a full gallon for your four bucks; four years of unlimited power-plant smoke; four years of every road being a toll road; four years of mandatory prayer in public school (if there even is a public school); four years of health insurance being available only to the healthy; four years of an economy based on people who get paid two dollars per hour; four years of watching our sisters and daughters having to bear their rapists' babies...
Maybe we ought to take 2012 off, let the religionists and the know-nothings have the country in their grasp, and just hope we survive until everyone realizes that Boehner-style "smaller government" means "just enough to take what little you have left," so no one will ever be suckered by that crap again.
"This will be different from our current situation... how, exactly?"
ReplyDeleteVery, very, different as you outlined. I see no way that such a situation is beneficial. A swinging pendulum only empowers the extremists on both side. How is that beneficial - unless you are one yourself?