S2, your editorial provided me an opportunity to reflect on what has happened to the Democratic party. There used to be some very tough, very clear minded, resolute Democrats and somehow the Republicans have scooped toughness (whether you agree with them or not) away from the Democrats. Democrats have been labelled as liberal wimps and moderate centrists.
Can you imagine calling Roosevelt, John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, or Lyndon Johnson a liberal wimp?? These men would have cut you off at the knees if you got in the way of what they believed. You would never have known what hit you. That's what I liked about Wellstone...only guy who voted in the Senate against the war with Iraq. Everyone, including people in his own party thought that would hurt him...guess what, it didn't. If you called him a liberal..he'd grin and get a little closer to you to take you on. We need a few leaders in the Democratic party who are not glued to the polls, say what the hell they believe in and start getting in the faces of some of these narrow, self indulgent, right wing Republicans. Those guys really aren't that tough...the democrats have somehow handed that reputation to them.
Wellstone's colleagues should learn from his example...he was a passionate democrat who was not afraid to take tough issues on...he was free. Now he's gone... and a lot of real political courage and leadership went down with him.
Altair19 |
