Labor Day weekend is considered by many political circles to be the last "official start" of general election season, preceded by Memorial Day and Independence Day. For Democrats and the President, the season's beginning still seems a procrastination.
For the vast majority of the Obama presidency, Republicans have controlled the message of every issue, with little opposition from the president or Democratic leaders. As a result, every promise that made Obama popular in 2008 has been framed negatively in 2010.
In summer 2008, Obama continued to promise to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan if elected. Today, combat efforts in Iraq have ceased, and Afghanistan is expected to see the same draw-down in the next 16 months. In Spring 2008, Obama debated his future secretary of state on how to reform the health care system. In Spring of 2010, health care reform legislation that was fully expected to be a centerpiece of the Obama/Democratic platform was framed as a method of killing grandmas, a tax-hike, and a bolshevik plot to grow government. After the economic collapse on September 15, 2008, Americans heard John McCain claim "the fundamentals of the economy are strong" and decided instead that Obama's economic principles would better guide the nation back to prosperity. They agreed that the wealthiest 2% need to pay their taxes like the rest of us. Today, the Bush Tax Cuts are a place where Americans seem to agree with Obama.
Polls, however, are unfavorable toward Democrats and the Obama agenda. CBS reports that an overwhelming number of polls are projecting doom for Democrats just 56 days away from election day. Somehow, Republicans have taken an agenda that was supported in the 2008 elections, and turned it into a "government takeover" that "kills jobs."
Obama, and his party leaders in congress, need to remind America what they voted for in 2008. Democrats have actually made attempts to fix the problems that have plagued America for years, while the GOP has been content with the current health care system and the growing disparity among middle America. Republicans have never been on the side of the middle class, and continue to favor tax cuts for those who least need them. Democrats, on the other hand, favor tax cuts for those who need them and actually use them. Click here for a graphic depiction of the opposing tax cuts.
Today, the GOP has no true agenda to offer America other than "we don't agree with Obama." There is little to no elaboration on what Republicans would attempt to achieve if they take over congress. Their gridlocking opposition to every bill proposed by Democrats, as seen in the highest filibuster rate in all of American history, has been their only platform. They have not offered an ounce of new solutions to the problems they created under President Bush. Even the Republican-friendly Chicago Tribune admits that the recovery act has saved or created jobs. Yet, Republicans continue to lambast "the stimulus" while leaning on it anytime they need an excuse to vote against a bill; the common excuse for voting against "spending bills" is that "we should just use unused stimulus money" despite the fact that they voted against funding the stimulus, too.
For 8 years, the Republican party controlled Washington. Over this time, what attempts did they take to fix the health care system? (none) Did they balance the budget? (no, they increased the deficit greatly) How high were gas prices? ($4+ a gallon) How many wars did they start and then stall? (2) Did they find Bin Laden? (no) Did higher education become more affordable? (no, tuition increased by 30%) Who more greatly benefitted from their tax policies? (the wealthy) Did they leave the economy in a stable condition? (no)
So why should we elect them back into power? (...)
The more important question: why isn't our president asking voters these same questions? (he would probably rather run for re-election against a "do-nothing" congress like Truman and Clinton did)
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