Mike Lux: 'Dems Need To Drop Culture Of Caution'
Mike Lux tries to tell the Blue Dogs and the Ben Nelsons of the Democratic Party to get out of President Obama's way and let him govern. Politicians
Mike Lux tries to tell the Blue Dogs and the Ben Nelsons of the Democratic Party to get out of President Obama's way and let him govern.
Politicians like them have always held back real change in this country for far toooo long.
You would think that with the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, Democrats at least would get that we need to make big, transformative changes as soon as possible.
And most of them do. Certainly President Barack Obama's economic recovery bill and budget -- as well as calls for fundamental reform of health care, education and energy policy -- show that he does. Certainly House Speaker Nancy Pelosi does: On Tuesday, she said in a meeting I attended that the House would pass Obama's major reform legislation in 2009. Most Democrats in the House and Senate understand that the moment for big change has arrived.
Not so much for a small minority of Democrats in the Senate. In Wednesday's Politico, 14 Democrats are identified as having concerns with Obama's policy plans. They're saying, "Hold on; not so fast; let's go slow; let's be cautious; Americans didn't want big change." Said Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.): "The American people and businesses are tightening their belts. I think we need to show that the government can economize, as well." Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), asked when he'd reach his breaking point, said, "Right now. I'm concerned about the amount that's being offered in [Obama's] budget."...read on
To me it's not "caution" they are practicing, but conservative ideals. And look where this country is now because of them.