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Though you were not my first choice for the Democratic nominee during the primary, come election time I donated to you, campaigned for you, and voted for you. I liked what you had to say on healthcare, on Gitmo, the Constitution, and on putting the American people before Big Business.
Having been politically active for more than a few years, I knew that I had, at best, a 50/50 shot of you actually working to enact the progressive/pro-worker/pro-Constitution aspects of the agenda you had campaigned on.
And then I read the following names associated with your new Presidency -- Emanuel (both of them), Summers, Geitner, Rubin, Kaine -- and I knew I had just lost whatever small "hope for change" I had been harboring.
A private deal with Pharma? An about face on mandates for health insurance, a public option, and taxing healthcare benefits? Supporting the FISA bill? Siccing Rahm on the Progressives on healthcare reform? A year long delay on desperately needed financial reform? An appearance at a "prayer" breakfast hosted by antigay bigots who materially support Ugandan attempts to criminalize homosexuality?
For Christ's sake, what's next? "Entitlement reform" that takes the form of privatization or cuts to earned benefits? Hells bells, I could have voted for a Republican and got the same.
You seem to have forgotten why the American people voted for you, why they turned out in huge numbers to put you in the office of the President of the United States.
Hint: it was to fight for us, We the People, against the Interests who would prey on us, sell us out, profit at our expense, hold us back, and generally screw us over.
It is a battle almost as old as our country, one that must be fought regularly and with great vigor.
And it is a battle you promised you would fight on our behalf.
Unfortunately, you have chosen to surround yourself with people (hello, Rahm) who actively work to make the Democratic Party and the People more beholding to those very interest.
You need to get yourself back on track, man, before I have to fling my shoe at you.
Hell Hath No Fury
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