As those on the far right begin their chest thumping for the Fourth of July, crying for independence and freedom from the "tyrannical government" that now occupies the White House and controls majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, here's what I'm celebrating on Sunday.
More freedom and independence for Americans from a non-health care system, from economic exploitation, and the stranglehold of big oil, and hope for the planet that is stewing in its own juices.
Two years ago, with the dramatic near collapse of the economy, we were on a political rollercoaster with frantic congressional action unlike anything I've ever seen. There were sky high expectations following the election of President Obama, and a period of the most intense and far reaching legislative activity in anyone's lifetime.
Arguably not even the Roosevelt session during the Depression rivals the rescue of the economy, the extension of health care to children, wilderness legislation, health care reform, the economic recovery package with clean energy, infrastructure and rail, Wall Street reform, and at least one House passing major global warming legislation and still on the table in the Senate. All of this occurred in a 24 hour news cycle with some of the most heated debate and the sharpest political divisions I've ever seen.
It's actually amazing that anything has moved forward at all.
There has been an unparalleled level of stridency in the political process and embarrassingly violent imagery that was shameful to true Americans. We witnessed the spectacle of the Tea Party movement, with people protesting "taxation with representation" and debasing fellow citizens in the crudest way. It has been without question the most challenging environment I've ever worked in: the issues more difficult, the solutions more complex and controversial. And for the most part, we are doing it all in a climate where there has been no interest in bipartisan cooperation.
Despite the difficulties -- the hyper partisanship, the global challenges, the enormity of the threats from those who would do us harm and the damage to the economy, this Independence Day is one of freedom and hope.
With the passage of health care reform, we have the promise of freedom from a non-health care system that was pushing more and more people into the ranks of the uninsured and bankrupting families with costs spiraling out of control. We have the opportunity to change the direction of health care in America, to improve the quality of care we receive and to finally reign in the biggest threat to the deficit -- exploding Medicare costs.
There is freedom from economic exploitation. While the Wall Street Reform is not as bold as many would have liked, it nonetheless provides a framework which makes it much more likely that the guardians of the economy will do their job to protect against unscrupulous Wall Street Benedict Arnolds. And for the first time, individual Americans will have a financial consumer protection agency on their side that will go a long way towards eliminating some of the abusive practices that cheat tens of millions of Americans out of their hard earned money.
While we have not yet achieved freedom from our addiction to oil, the dramatic BP spill in the Gulf coupled with unprecedented investments in conservation and alternative energy make it more likely that we have a sustainable path for the future. The House passed historic legislation to combat global warming and survey after survey show a majority of Americans still support comprehensive climate legislation. We all still have hope for the Senate.
Finally, as I hear from people in Oregon and from other communities and from the steady stream of visitors to my office, I am heartened by the actions taken by everyday Americans. Over a thousand communities are working to cut pollution and enhance energy security. Young people are engaged in their communities and around the world as America is once again the most admired country on the planet.
There is proof every day that simple principles work. People care about more livable communities where their families are safe, healthy and economically secure. They are fighting to protect water quality and secure better nutrition for their children. During this great recession, Americans are turning once again to the land and their neighbors, with greater freedom and hope for a better future. I am confident we will get there.
Happy Fourth of July.
Follow Rep. Earl Blumenauer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/repblumenauer
It's actually amazing that anything has moved forward at all."
Rep. Blumenauer, a few questions, please?
Rescue of the economy? Highlights, please? We bail out billionaires, run private businesses, increase beaurocracy, maintain 9.75-10% unemployment and say we have rescued the economy. We still have $400+ billion in stimulus money unspent. What are we waiting for?
Although I agree that health care needed reform, you and your party rammed a 2000+ page bill through 60% of our citizens didn't want. You brag about health care for children (good job of pulling the heart strings) but ignore the favors within the plan (e.g. Unions exemption).
Wilderness legislation? While it may be important, was it vital to concentrate on wilderness as hundreds of thousands of citizens are losing jobs every week?
Economic recovery package with clean energy, infrastructure and rail? What has been accomplished here? When do the jobs begin? Who, besides political friends are getting these clean energy contracts and incentives?
Your Wall Street reform has no teeth. Your party caved to big business same as Republicans.You bowed to the lobyists and the donors. Neither party had the cajones to stand up to Wall Street and put some bite in the Bill.
Rep. Blumenauer. I am not impressed.
Judging by the degree of hyperboly in your article, the "unprecedenteds" and the "historics" - it seems that we've had highly uncharacteristic change in Congress! By golly, I'll bet the plutocrats and the oligarchs are shivering in their boots! Boy, I'll bet the earnings of the credit card companies are really taking a hit after the unprecedented credit card legislation passed last year! (They're not?...Gee.) I'm assuming that the medical care reform package finally got the insurance companies out of the equation, so that their costs and profits are no longer part of our health care costs. (They're not?...Gee.) Which brings me to this: If it were a crime, as it is in the vast majority of more democratic countries, to give money directly or indirectly to a politician, would the insurance companies still be part of the solution when they are, in fact, part of the problem? Would money really be considered "speech," even while REAL speech is abridged, very often by state laws that prohibit speech that maligns their state's products, if the entire system from dog-catcher to supreme court "justice" were not governed by the legalized corruption of lobbying? By the need for political contributions to pay for political advertising, which fattens the media and is given equally to both sides of the aisle by the same donor - who is supporting no one and nothing but his own right to own a piece of the government? http://seamusobannion.blogspot.com
55 rich white guys gave we the people power:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all...are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights...to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men [and women], deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed;
"And, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it." -July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence
It is a basic human right to be free of threat or violence, and it is our duty to protect children and future generations, and many are calling on this government to use our tax dollars that are now being used to wage permanent war and are demanding our tax dollars instead be used to pursue a nuclear free world and clean up all chemical and radioactive contamination...
http://wearewideawake.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1772&Itemid=235
The health insurance industry has that power, not the "Government"....
The Government is supposed to be "we the people"... except the congress works for their coprporate masters.
So many wars! So many killed, wounded, and displaced, so many cancer victims from depleted uranium and other victims from all kind of war byproducts. Infested environment! So many wars in the same region of this planet. Many of you participated to anti Iraq war demonstrations! But it was already too late. Please do something now against the war on Iran. I am certainly not an admirer of the regime of Iran nor its human rights record nor its competition with another hegemonic power in the region. This other power is trying its best to trigger a new war. Please do something. Early manifestations might be more efficient. Support my request massively. Defend us! Defend our planet. Defend our environment. Defend your brothers in humanity who already, like me have witnessed so many wars! The war lords and money lords control this planet. The five permanent members of the Council of Security control more than 85% of the weapons commerce. It is not an easy activity; however as members of democracies you have some say, please use it now. At least click on favorite!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrqeywXhKfY
Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.
(America never was America to me.)
Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed--
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.
(It never was America to me.)
O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.
(There's never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrqeywXhKfY
Tell Pelosi and Reid to stop giving into Conservatives demands to gut legislation to please corporations.
“Arguably not even the Roosevelt session during the Depression rivals the trashing of the US Constitution, the trampling of individual rights, the looting of liberty, the destruction of science and the attempt to destroy this nation with intolerable debt.
I proudly voted for all of these destroyers of freedom.
I am proud to say that I have never read the US Constitution, the writings of its authors or any other of our founding documents.
To all of those who will vote for me again, I will thank you by looting from those who won’t and giving the plunder to you.
Happy Dependence Day!â€
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Alas, he's a thief and a liar so he will not tell the truth.
Jefferson, Madison, Washington, Paine and all the others who fought against tyranny are rolling over in their graves watching people like you gladly give your liberty away.
How sad.
That sucks. But - please read entire posts before you shoot from the lip.