The election has proved to be more a democratic victory than a Democratic victory. The pressure is now on the Democrats and the long term viability of the two-party system. The party members who have just been elected ran under a party banner that represented an almost unanimous stand in favor of the war in Iraq and in favor of the Israeli attack on Palestine and Lebanon. Their comfort with taking stands on other issues having to do with the plight of the working class in this country and on issues of the environment and corporate power in the full awareness that their votes would not carry—and therefore not matter—has now been disturbed by a cri de coeur from a majority of voters. No more posing; they will have to walk the walk rather than talk the talk. If this country is ever to be saved, it will be because of the attitudes of common U.S. citizens who are decent, have an essential sense of fair play, and who will not allow themselves to be pushed too far. They believe the story of a nation marked by a commitment to freedom and human rights. So, to the newly elected majority party, congratulations. But don’t drink too much champagne ladies and gentlemen; you’ll have to keep your head about you if you’re not going to be back in your law offices by 2008. There are millions of decent citizens who will be watching you carefully. And this may be your last chance.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Democratic Victory
The election has proved to be more a democratic victory than a Democratic victory. The pressure is now on the Democrats and the long term viability of the two-party system. The party members who have just been elected ran under a party banner that represented an almost unanimous stand in favor of the war in Iraq and in favor of the Israeli attack on Palestine and Lebanon. Their comfort with taking stands on other issues having to do with the plight of the working class in this country and on issues of the environment and corporate power in the full awareness that their votes would not carry—and therefore not matter—has now been disturbed by a cri de coeur from a majority of voters. No more posing; they will have to walk the walk rather than talk the talk. If this country is ever to be saved, it will be because of the attitudes of common U.S. citizens who are decent, have an essential sense of fair play, and who will not allow themselves to be pushed too far. They believe the story of a nation marked by a commitment to freedom and human rights. So, to the newly elected majority party, congratulations. But don’t drink too much champagne ladies and gentlemen; you’ll have to keep your head about you if you’re not going to be back in your law offices by 2008. There are millions of decent citizens who will be watching you carefully. And this may be your last chance.
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1 comment:
Well said. I saw some of the Democrats last night acting like they'd won the lottery. The spotlight is on them now so they need to show and prove in ways that haven't been done before.
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