September 27, 2009 02:14 AM UTC

Where do we owe our allegiance?

•  
• by: DavidThi808

Ok, this is not going to make me Mr. Popular.

As I’ve mentioned to a couple of campaign managers, we owe our primary allegiance not to a candidate or party, but to our country and to the world. This is essential at times like this when we are in a world of hurt and we have to be focused on what will improve things, not on what gives one side temporary political advantage.

In addition while we decry the lack of civility and discussion in the political sphere, if we at the same time focus on political advantage, support our candidates regardless of their efforts and votes, and can only see the bad in the other party – then we are a cause of the problem. We cannot expect Republicans to be open-minded if we ourselves are not.  

Let’s talk about the Ritter administration. We are presently in a world of financial hurt. And while Governor Ritter has done an excellent job of applying cuts to minimize the impact on the state, his efforts have ended there. Not only do we see no efforts to find systemic changes that will significantly increase revenues or reduce expenses, but we find him “reassuring” us that he will not consider anything that might be construed as a tax increase. (Note – most of us don’t find that statement reassuring at all.)

What we appear to have with Bill Ritter is an administration that is no different from a GOP administration on the big issues and makes slightly different choices on exactly how to apply the cuts. In fact a big part of his message is that unlike the GOP, Bill Ritter anguishes over these cuts and cares deeply about their impact on the people of Colorado. Now I may be going out on a limb here but I think Josh Penry & Scott McInnis are also anguished about what the people in this state are going through and care deeply about the people in this state. And truth be told, although empathy is nice but results are what we need.

But is the Ritter administration truly no different on the systemic questions than an GOP administration? Absolutely not. In the previous GOP administration we had Bill Owens step up and work to craft C & D and work very hard to get both passed. When the state faced a revenue situation less serious than today, the response of a GOP administration was to increase taxes as needed. It was a close thing, it took major cooperation from the Democratic legislature. But the bottom line is he did it.

Bill Ritter is not even trying. If only a Republican administration will dare raise taxes in Colorado, then we need to elect a Republican administration. I am dead serious on this point. The state is not going to go bankrupt a-la California, but it’s going to be in a race to the bottom with Mississippi if we don’t have sufficient revenue to help grow the state economically. And if only the Republicans are brave enough to step up and solve this, then we do need to elect a Republican.

And before you say “but, but… Republicans are evil” – they’re not. Most (not all) want the same results as most (not all) of us Democrats. They do believe that there is a legitimate role for government. They do understand that government investments in things like roads & education pay back to the state with a significant multiplier. Most are willing to step up and do what is best for our state. And a couple like Al White and Dan Marostica show more political bravery than any Democrat.

Yes the Republicans are in bed with the Oil & Gas industry. But we’re in bed with both the unions & the trial lawyers (does that make us Democrats bigamists?). Yes the Republicans make statements for political advantage – so do we Democrats. (Is it truly that big a deal if the mountain in an ad is in another state? But is sure is a useful story for political advantage.)

While everyone was worried that with a Democratic majority and administration the party would go too liberal. Instead what we have is Democrats so timid they are afraid to do anything that the GOP would fundamentally disagree with. And for the few that tried, like Morgan Carroll, boy did they get slapped down fast. So we’re left with “better” people who would “like to” do more. But they can’t you know, it just would fly.

The thing is, people did not elect a Democratic administration & legislature, both in Colorado and nationally, because they thought everything was just peachy and they didn’t want any real change. They elected Democrats because the Republican approach is unpopular. Very very unpopular. They put Democrats in charge because they want a change. Not a couple of minor differences, but some real change. Not “we could effect change if we were brave enough” – but actual “we’re implementing it now, and will do more tomorrow.”

Now what people want to see, what will make them better off, what the state needs – all are open to discussion. But we need to step up with major systemic change. Because otherwise come ’10 the voters will decide that doing nothing new is a clear failure and they’ll bet on the candidate offering a change. They’ll take almost any change over stay the course when the course is a disaster. And if that happens, we Democrats will have no one to blame but ourselves.

This is not just a problem for Bill Ritter, we face this nationally too. If at the federal level they have not addressed healthcare, financial regulation, and turned the economy around – we’re going to see a lot of Democrats going down to defeat. The voters are demanding results, not platitudes. And having a lot of great ideas but not implementing them is nothing more than mental masturbation.

And to those who say (in so many words) “our Democratic candidates may they always be right – but our candidates right or wrong” – that is the last thing this country needs. And it’s the last thing our party needs as it’s the road to defeat. Blind loyalty is nice in a dog, but it’s counterproductive in the political sphere.

I leave our elected leaders with this question – to what use do you gain power if you effect no difference?

 Loading ...