From the Daily Kos diary archives:
Let me be clear: I am not arguing that the Democrats should trim their sails and be more "centrist." In fact, I think the whole "centrist" versus "liberal" labels that continue to characterize the debate within the Democratic Party misses the mark. Too often, the "centrist" label seems to mean compromise for compromise sake, whereas on issues like health care, energy, education and tackling poverty, I don't think Democrats have been bold enough. But I do think that being bold involves more than just putting more money into existing programs and will instead require us to admit that some existing programs and policies don't work very well. And further, it will require us to innovate and experiment with whatever ideas hold promise...
Oh by the way, I forgot to mention, the author of this diary: Senator Barack Obama
Mr. President - I Remember.
Now, I disagreed with Obama's final verdict in that diary, but I agreed with a great deal of the positions on changing the tone of the debate and being bold in governance. It seemed clear that he understood that while the debate should be reasonable, there were some Democratic goals that had to be met to meet the challenges of the next generation. On Wednesday night, we will find out if Barack Obama is capable of matching his actions with his words.
Clearly, the insurance company bailout plan being proposed by Senator Max Baucus is anything but bold. As a matter of fact, it the exact opposite of bold. It is only one of 5 bills that have been written, but it obviously will attract the most attention over the next few days. But what are we going to do about it?
Kid Oakland had a great diaryon Saturday night and a follow up diary today asking that letters be written to the President's organization to let him know that his former volunteers are watching his actions closely and calling on him to do the right thing. If you didn't read the letters, you really should as many Kossacks opened up and really wrote great messages. If you have not already done so, please write your own letter and add it to the great collection of comments in Kid Oakland's diary. I suggest also sending the letter to the WH Comment box as well as recommended in that diary's comments.
Here is mine:
To President Obama:
I remember receiving stack after stack of call logs as they came into the office. Soon the phone numbers started running together. My eyes tired, but my heart didn't. I powered on, into the night after all of the phone volunteers had left your headquarters in Los Angeles and I don't even live in L.A.
I remember.
You see, I worked in L.A. during that summer for one of my clients. And each night, I would drive through the nightmare that is L.A. traffic to enter those numbers. How crazy am I to get excited by entering phone numbers into campaign software? I remember the orange stacks from Colorado, the Blue Stacks from North Carolina, the Green Stacks from Missouri. I can still remember how excited I would get when the "Obama Supporter" box was checked. I remember how my heart rate would increase when I saw a McCain supporter box.
I remember.
I had never been a data entry person in my life. But my battery died on my cell the first night I volunteered, and I happened to have my laptop with me. So I decided to give it a shot. And I found it was up my alley, analyzing in my mind the basic polling I was seeing. It was exciting. I loved it and I knew that I was making a difference for your campaign and more importantly engaging enthusiastically in our democracy. It gave me hope.
But now, that hope is fading Mr. President. And it doesn't have to. Let me explain.
I have closely followed the health care debate and I am a strong supporter of a robust public option. However, I have been more than willing to hear other alternatives. Now, after 4 of 5 Congressional bills have been written without a viable alternative to meet your goals, I have to assume that the public option is the only true solution to the problem.
Therefore, I am writing you to implore you to fight with all of your might for a robust public option, and make it clear during your speech on Wednesday night that you want an Up or Down Vote on a plan including the public option. Period. Without a robust public option implemented immediately and without triggers, there is no way to guarantee the very principles and promises that you made can be kept. And Mr. President, your word is your bond.
Mr. President, we have now reached the critical moment where the rubber meets the road. We will find out on Wednesday night whether we will be fighting with you or against you Mr. President in the next critical weeks as health care reform legislation is finalized.
And make no mistake, we will be fighting one way or another, just as you asked us to during the campaign when you said "we are the ones we have been waiting for".
We will be fighting for the exact principles you laid out it your campaign. Reduced Costs, Guaranteed Choice, and Ensuring Quality Health Care For All.
I would much prefer to fight WITH the one candidate in my lifetime that has given me hope that we can continue to form a more perfect union and that the entire game of politics and governance is not just a big charade.
Mr. President, keep that hope alive. The door of opportunity has been opened. Do not be afraid to walk through it. You have the opportunity to go down as one of the greatest Presidents and Americans in history simply by doing what you know is right. We will support you and we have your back if you have ours. We only ask that you lead by taking that critical step through the door with us and give us the marching orders.
No Guts. No Glory.
Mr. President, I.Remember.
Mr. President, I sincerely want to relive the days of the wonderful summer and fall of 2008 in 2012. I want to donate my time. I want to donate my money. However, if you are unable to stand up for the key principles of the key Democratic issue of a generation, I can no longer stand up for you.
However, I am confident and optimistic that I will be working just as hard for you and for Democrats over the next 3 years, because I believe you will do the right thing. Mr. President, please don't let us down.
Because Mr. President. I.REMEMBER.
Sincerely,
Justmy2
Now, as most know, I am a strong supporter of the public option and I was one of the first people to start writing diaries stating the Administration was attempting a walk back as early as mid July. However, due to the unbelievable work completed by the likes of slinkerwink, nyceve, math4barack, budhydharma, and MinistryOfTruth, this site has continued to fight and adjust strategy to do our small part in keeping the public option on the table.
So, let me repeat what I wrote in the letter. On Wednesday night, we will find out whether we will be fighting with or against the President in the next critical weeks as health care reform legislation is finalized.
And make no mistake, we will be fighting, just as the President asked us to during the campaign.
You see, I Remember.