These days, my Republican colleagues sound like a bunch of grumpy old men who are down on America. It’s impeding their ability to govern and, as middle-class families know all too well across the country, this has to come to a stop.
Even Rep. Paul Ryan, who House Republicans say they’ll choose as their next Speaker, acknowledges this.
Last week, Rep. Ryan had a moment of clarity about the damage his party is doing to hard-working families: “We are not solving the country’s problems; we are only adding to them,” he said.
Republicans running for President are no better.
As Secretary Clinton said, “You see us [Democrats] tackling the hard issues, looking for solutions to our biggest challenges facing our families and our countries.” Meanwhile, “Republicans and their allies have stacked the decks for those at the top.”
The Secretary is entirely right.
Republicans believe we need to cut Social Security to save it. They want to turn Medicare and its guaranteed services into a voucher program -- what I describe as "Coupon Care." They want austerity for everyone in America but Wall Street and the wealthiest one percent.
As Republican Rep. Peter King (NY) recently said, “crazies have overtaken the party.”
Democrats want to close tax loopholes and invest in middle-class families. Marco Rubio wants to give people making more than $3 million another $240,000 tax break.
Democrats want to strengthen Medicare and protect its guarantee. Ben Carson would end Medicare.
Democrats want to support foreign leaders who will fight the terrorists to save their countries. Lindsey Graham wants to send American troops to fight Iraqis' and Syrians' civil wars for them.
Democrats want to protect a woman's right to make her own health decisions. Carly Fiorina wants to turn back the clock by overturning Roe v. Wade.
Democrats want to recognize everyone's right to marry. Jeb Bush wants to ignore the Supreme Court and the majority of Americans who believe everyone should have that right to marry.
Democrats want to fix our broken immigration system. Donald Trump wants to build walls.
The party once led by Ronald Reagan has ventured far from its chorus of "Morning in America." Never was there a moment in recent history where the contrast between Republicans and Democrats seemed clearer.
Republicans are willing to shut down all of our government to close down life-saving women’s health services. They’ve voted 61 times to take away healthcare from roughly 18 million Americans, but haven’t voted once for a job’s agenda.
They oppose raising the $7.25 minimum wage but think nothing of CEOs collecting 300 times what the average worker earns.
They rail against what our troops' have accomplished in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet they propose sending more of them to fight in these foreign civil wars.
The last thing America needs now is more grumpy old men who are down on America. We need people who are ready to build up America.
My father was a construction worker, and my mother was a clerical worker. My dad couldn't stay in school past the sixth grade. But my parents worked hard, built this country and gave my three sisters and me an opportunity to go to college.
Every construction and clerical worker who builds America should be able to send a kid to college, afford a home and retire with dignity! That's the American dream but if you ask Republicans, forget it.
Add your name if you agree: In 2016, we need a Democratic agenda at the White House and in the Halls of Congress!
It's time we go back to doing what made America great. If Republicans are in charge, middle-class families will continue to get sucker-punched.