HOME | POLITICS | SPORTS | LIFE | SCI/TECH | OPEDS | HELPFUL TIPS
|
Nov. 22, 2004 I consider myself to be a moderately good poker player. For a few months I’ve played at any table I could find, lugging around my set of 500 clay composite chips and black baseball cap. When you look at the art of Texas Hold’em, it’s easy to see that politics isn’t so far separated from its tavern-hall brother. This week, the Democratic Party was dealt pocket aces. One came when the House Republicans shot down a bill to reform our national security, the well-known 9-11 Commission Reforms. This turned out to be a very stupid move, and Senate Republicans scurried around to try and spin the 2-7 they had been dealt. At last check, all of that spinning has only served to dizzy Bill Frist. Moves like this – shooting down the major national security bill of Congress’ term – personify what I spoke about when I said that Republicans, emboldened by their increased majorities, would misstep. In order to capitalize on this grievous error in logic, Democrats has best be prepared to do something beyond simply bashing the Republicans; we should already be prepared to present our own national security bill. I have always said that the Democratic Party will not win any support by simply pointing out the flaws of the opposition. As we saw during the Presidential Election, pointing out flaws will only get the voter half of the way there. We have to be willing to provide sensible, viable alternatives to the problems we are pointing out if anyone is to take us seriously. We must not squander this excellent opportunity to prove to the American public that the Democratic Party has what it takes to tackle serious national security reform issues. Moderates like Evan Bayh would best be suited to present this legislation in the Senate, and any Democrat who is not Nancy Pelosi would be fit to present it in the House. This would, besides giving us men and women who are skilled at oratory, also give us the opportunity to garner Republican support for any ideas put forth. Democrats can’t be held responsible if we try to push forth a national security agenda that is attacked by partisan Republicans. We must be prepared to let the American public know that the Republicans, who shot down the first bill, are now stalling based on political lines on the second. Appeals must be made to the American electorate, not just amongst ourselves on websites and Sunday-morning talk shows, if we are to move for change. Everything, however, relies on the Democratic Party moving above the partisan attacking that we have been tempered in. We must be willing to work with Republicans, as now that they are the far majority they do not need to work with us. They do not need to work with us because of their numbers, but we should make every attempt to get cooperation from them, even on issues where they could just as easily pass legislation without us present. Bipartisanship both left and right, is absolutely necessary. In order to have any chance in 2006 and 2008, we must show ourselves willing to work with Republicans for the common good, and when they are not willing to work for it, we must take the initiative. There is no middle ground; we cannot afford to bicker like partisans over issues of national importance. The only way we can make those pocket aces turn into a winning hand is if we act on them. We cannot fold up now. ------------ About the author: Max Burns is a 17-year-old Democrat with moderate, centrist ideals. He blames John Kerry's 2004 loss on John Kerry, and is authoring a pamphlet on how to refine the Democratic Party for Victory in 2008 and beyond. For more information, check out The New Democrat. Read the fantasy-fiction novel "Alcardia". Email: DeMBurns@gmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
