Politics

My grandfather used to say, “Don’t tell me your priorities. Show me your budget, and I’ll tell you your priorities.” So, let’s compare the Obama-Biden record in three critical areas — Medicare, taxes and veterans — with what is in the Romney-Ryan budget.

First Medicare, where there is perhaps no better contrast and choice facing Americans.

President Obama and Vice President Biden want to ensure Medicare is solvent for generations to come.

When Congress returns from recess, expect to see more made of the night time swim in the Sea of Galilee that was taken by a group of Republican Congressmen who traveled to Israel under the auspices of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee. The disclosure already has provided the media, government watchdog groups and congressional detractors an opportunity to level their guns against Congress as a whole.

It is not clear if anything improper or unethical occurred. But regardless of the facts of this particular situation, what’s likely to occur is yet another call for the restriction on travel by members of Congress. And that would be unfortunate for the country.

As reflected in surveys that show the low esteem in which Congress is held, the American public not only has little respect for members of Congress but also the institution as well. It is hard to argue that it has not brought a good deal of it upon itself. But regardless of one’s opinion about this Congress, the institution is fundamental to our democracy. Yet if it were magically eliminated tomorrow, many Americans would say good riddance. Members of Congress are constantly trivialized and ridiculed. Candidates for Congress deride the institution at the same time that they seek to be elected to it. And when they are successful and arrive in Washington, they continue their campaign against the institution. 

Which brings us back to the midnight swim. The fallout of this event is likely to result in increased efforts to restrict foreign travel. Critics ask why should members of Congress travel anyway? Isn’t their business right here in America?

Artur Davis
C/O Republican National Convention
401 Channelside Drive
Tampa, FL 33602

Dear Artur,

We are writing to express our disdain over several recent comments you have made about the important issues facing voters in November, your total distortion of President Barack Obama’s record, and your complete flip-flop on certain core principles you once held dear. Given the magnitude of your recent transformation, we can only conclude that, rather than a true conversion, your actions are the result of a nakedly personal and political calculation or simmering anguish after failing to secure the Democratic nomination for governor of the State of Alabama in 2010.

Despite recent news reports that you sought advice from a Virginia political consultant about running for office as a Democrat, you currently proclaim to have switched to the Republican Party. However, in 2009 you repeatedly criticized former Representative Parker Griffith for the same act, saying, “his decision repudiates the hard work of many Democrats who sustained him during his election to two high offices.” You continued, “He leaves a party where differences of opinion are tolerated and respected to join a party that in Washington, marches in lockstep, demands the most rigid unity, and articulates no governing philosophy beyond the forceful use of the word, ‘no.’”

It’s unconscionable that you now claim Voter ID laws do not violate civil rights or suppress minority voter turnout. Yet in 2007 while still representing Alabama’s 7th congressional district, you joined then-Senator Obama in calling for the resignation of the Justice Department’s Voting Rights chief after he claimed that Voter ID laws did not hurt minorities, saying, “you can't argue that voter ID laws don't disfranchise African- Americans.”

You also may recall that less than two years ago, you routinely touted your progressive record as a member of the House of Representatives. You supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Wall Street reform bill, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and ending tax subsidies for oil companies. Despite voting against the final bill, you even supported major pillars of the Affordable Care Act like banning discrimination against pre-existing conditions, expanding Medicaid, and providing tax breaks to small businesses that provide health care, to name a few.

Contrary to your recent declarations, you hailed President Barack Obama as a “beacon of leadership,” touted President Obama as your “model,” and widely described the President as a friend. As a member of the House of Representatives, you supported President Obama’s agenda 95% of the time, were quoted saying “I agree with him on everything,” and repeatedly invoked President Obama in your failed gubernatorial campaign.

It is important that the American people have these important facts and draw their own conclusions about your true motivations for speaking at the Republican National Convention.

We have come to the disturbing conclusion that your recent public statements have no basis in real policy or political disagreements, but rather they stem from transparent opportunism and a personal determination to overcome failing to win the Alabama Democratic primary for Governor in 2010. We regret that you have chosen this course, but are confident that the American people see your pronouncements for what they are and come to the same disappointing conclusion of your former colleagues.

Sincerely,

Chairman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Mo.)
Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.)
Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-N.C.)
Rep Donna Christensen (D-VI-AL)
Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.)
Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.)
Rep. Donna F. Edwards (D-Md.)
Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio)
Rep. Barbara J. Lee (D-Calif.)
Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.)
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.)
Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-Ala.)
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.)

The rest of the country followed Delaware’s lead in ratifying the Constitution. Congress, too, should take its cue from Delaware for its leadership in passing legislation addressing anonymous spending in elections.

What will the campaign for control of both houses of Congress look like as we move down the home stretch?  Two factors in particular are worth examining: Will there be coattails and will common sense on resource allocation lead both parties to maximize their chances in congressional races?

Conservative activists in California are promoting a deceptive ballot proposition that would increase the ability of business groups and billionaires to dominate state elections. The measure, Proposition 32, claims to be an even-handed effort at campaign finance reform – but nothing could be further from the truth. Prop. 32 (or “Stop Special Interest Money Now,” as its big money supporters prefer to call it) would cripple the ability of unions to participate in politics, but have little or no impact on unlimited spending by corporate executives and other wealthy individuals.

Precision of language is fundamental to any productive discussion on a political issue. Words carrying not only meaning but also connotations, so unless potential connotations are clarified those engaged in a discussion may misunderstand one another leading to a communication impasse. The debate on immigration reform has reached an impasse because the language being used is controversial, inflammatory and emotionally charged, no longer reflecting the facts of immigration nor proposing viable avenues of reform or offering potential solutions. As a result the country has only become more divided on the issue and all productive discussion has been halted before it even begins.

Early Friday, the hearts of an entire community and nation were shattered upon hearing of the senseless and despicable tragedy that occurred in Aurora, Colorado. My prayers are with the families and friends of those impacted. It is difficult to imagine what it feels like to be a parent that has outlived their child or to be part of a family inexplicably left with a gaping hole in their hearts. Yet, these feelings are becoming all too commonplace as gun tragedy after gun tragedy takes countless husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, daughters and sons from us. Each tragedy is met with the same actions: headshaking, tears and numerous expressions of condolences from those whom our nation looks to lead. We have become numb to the true human cost of these tragedies and almost as quickly as they happen, we move on with our lives without pushing our leaders to take action. In turn, too many American leaders have become too afraid to ask an all-important question: How is it that guns continue to fall into wrong hands in ever increasing frequency and incidence?

Last week marked the end of Gregory Jaczko’s controversial reign as Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This departure is woefully overdue.  For far too long, his misconduct undermined the credibility of the NRC and distracted from the agency’s important work.

I’ve been a small business owner for more than 25 years. So it’s fair to say I’ve been around the block. I also happen to live in the Chicago metro area, so I know a thing or two about hard-nosed politics.