Published by Jane Devin on 16 Feb 2008 at 04:12 am
Almost Too Much to Do
I once worked for a company where the unpublished motto was “let’s just move forward.” In theory, the goal may have seemed admirable, but practically speaking it was a disaster. Moving forward without addressing past issues only leads to the snowball effect. Sooner or later, the problems and failures of yesterday that weren’t fixed will catch up with the present day, looming all the larger for having been ignored or repeated.
While most of America is ready to move forward from the Bush administration, there seems to be a division over what “moving forward” should entail. A substantial number of people would like to see Bush and company held accountable for the sins of their administration. The call for impeachment, even at this late date, is still very much alive, at least on the left. Barring that, and crossing ideological lines, many want this administration held accountable for what they believe were purposeful lies foisted on the American public, abuses of power and privilege, and an unlawful usurping of Congressional authority.
Beyond that, they want the doors flung open to what they believe was Cheney-sanctioned war profiteering by companies like Halliburton, which has yet to account for millions of missing tax dollars, despite the damning evidence discovered during DNC hearings held several years ago.
Yet we also want out of the middle East. We want to distance ourselves from the sanctioned torture of Cheney and Bush, and repair the global rift caused by our seven year lapse into democratic imperialism. We want to make sure that our future leaders cannot perpetrate a run-end around the Geneva Convention or our Constitution again.
We’re desperate to lower the nine-trillion dollar debt that the Bush administration has left us with. We need to stave off the worst of the recession we’re now in — we need to save our jobs, and save our homes from foreclosure. Many of us are lacking health insurance, and support a universal health coverage plan. There are immigration issues that need better solutions. Our infrastructure is in need of repair. Our educational system continues to be toppled by other countries.
America is in a crisis, globally and domestically, and all the issues have become urgent. The question facing us in 2014 will be one of priorities. There’s no doubt that the next administration will be responsible for an almost total rehaul of government. This is not, unfortunately, a time when the main function of a President will be to maintain the status quo or keep us on an even keel — this is a time calling for major repairs, steady rebuilds, complete tear-downs, and making anew.
And if the worst should happen — if America is attacked while in the vulnerable position of new leadership — what then? What issues would we move to the back burner while addressing our defense, and at what price?
The next President is going to face some of the most daunting challenges in the history of government. There is virtually nothing in our present day sphere that does not need to be urgently addressed by Congress and the next administration.
However, can we really move forward without holding the past administration accountable? Even if we could, should we?
I don’t believe that any move towards rebuilding our tattered government will be complete or effective without holding the present administration accountable for the damages they have caused. I believe Congress and the next administration should move swiftly and precisely in launching investigations, and not only hold the appropriate feet to the fire, but create policies to ensure that no future administration can run roughshod over the checks and balances of democracy under the guise of privilege and Presidential authority.
Without addressing the excesses, abuses, and misuses of power of the Bush administration, America places itself in danger of a repeat. Next time, it could cost us more than 4000 lives and nine trillion dollars. That possibility, even if slim, is not acceptable to me, or to the thousands of other Americans who believe that no elected officials should be immune from accountability, including the President.
The next administration has almost too much to do. Whoever our next President is will likely be one of the hardest working Presidents in history, and the pressures they will bear will be weighted not only with the hubris of the past, but with the fervent hopes of a better future.
I support Hillary Rodham Clinton because I believe she has the fortitude, experience and knowledge to not only move this country forward, but to protect it from further assault, both from inside and outside our own borders. I believe that Barack Obama lacks both the national and domestic experience this country needs in a time of crisis, and that John McCain will only prolong the agony of the Bush administration.
I see the three candidates as a choice between substance, mystique, or more of the same. Substance, for me, is the only rational choice. In my opinion, Hillary Rodham Clinton should be the 44th President of the United States.
LBJ on 16 Feb 2008 at 4:38 am #
I may not always agree with you, and am not sure I do here, but I admire that you are so passionate for this cause and continue to “speak” for it, even if not popular….at least here on your own blog, where it seems most are going with Barack.
I’ve not made up my mind. I really don’t feel great about any of the candidates! I probably would have voted Edwards if he made it.
Oh well, there’s still time.
Sharon on 16 Feb 2008 at 11:00 am #
I agree with you 100%! I’ve yet to hear someone really explain why they favor Obama. I’ve yet to hear why he felt it was so important to run now. I’ve yet to hear why he will be able to change Washinton when so many before him have failed.
Hillary is qualified but so many just don’t like her; Barack is inexperienced but he is so likeable. This is one of the most important decisions the voters of this country will ever make. It is not a popularity contest. Too much is at stake to get this wrong!
That the most qualified candidate happens to be a woman is important. Women are not yet respected in the way we deserve. Think about this. If Michelle Obama had asked her husband to put his career on hold while she ran for president do you think that would have happened? What if Bill had not been president first? Would he still be as supportive of his wife?
How long will it be before we have another qualified female candidate whose husband has survived a high dollar government paid for investigation; who has “the power of a woman scorned” going for her? I certainly do not underestimate her.
Thank you, Jane, for saying what many (I pray enough) of us are thinking.
allison on 16 Feb 2008 at 3:19 pm #
Here! Here!
I think we are in big trouble if we don’t elect Hillary. I have expressed my support and opinion many times, so I will spare you all. Smile
Please wake up America!
freida on 16 Feb 2008 at 6:11 pm #
Usually you can’t change someone’s mind, once they’ve formed an opinion… There’s just something about Hiliary, and I’m not convinced she’s the best candidate, yet. She talks a good game just like most of the candidates, if not all of them. There’s a few things in her file that really make me uneasy. Like how exactly did she become the Senator of a State where she did not reside?
This is a nice convenient link to The American Presidents, that I found, and just one of countless others I’m sure. This one, though, is very easy to navigate and I like the outline style.
This is the page specifically about Hiliary.
http://www.millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/clinton/essays/firstlady
I found it pretty basic, and easy to read.
checquoline on 16 Feb 2008 at 7:01 pm #
Hillary became a resident of NY before she ran for senator. Many senators represent states they were not born in. I have lived in many states and have become a resident of each of them. I had to in order to get a drivers license.
Barbara on 16 Feb 2008 at 10:57 pm #
This is a must-read!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-c-johnson/no-he-cant-because-yes_b_87036.html
Barbara on 16 Feb 2008 at 11:37 pm #
Excellent post, Sharon! Very smart analysis, very true.
Allison, I feel the same way! Jane wrote me a note today and said she’s going to try and stay away from politics for awhile because she’s probably said all she could, and is boring people. I like her articles, but realize at this point few minds will change.
I just hope America gets it right this time. If either HRC or BO or elected, I will pray they do well, and I will not be bitter in any case.
jimi on 16 Feb 2008 at 11:38 pm #
HI JANE, IT WAS WONDERFUL TO FIND YOUR SITE. I HAVE MISSED YOU AND THE EXTENDED FAMILY. I TOO, VOTED FOR SENATOR CLINTON. SHE WAS THE LEAST OF ALL EVILS. I AM ALSO A WOMAN IN MY SIXTIES AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE A FEMALE PRESIDENT. ALL THAT SAID….. HILLARY IS EXTREMELY FOCUSED AND DETAILED ORIENTED. I LIKE THAT ABOUT HER. SHE IS VERY MUCH INTO WOMEN’S ISSUES AND CHILD WELFARE.
I DO LIKE THE WAY SHE IS BEING PORTRAYED BY THE MEDIA AND PUNDENTS. I HATE GENDER PREJUDICE… ESP. WHEN IT IS COMING FROM A MALE DOMINATED POLITICAL SOCIETY AND SOME FEMALES. LIKE HER OR HATE HER, SHE DOES GET THINGS ACCOMPLISHED. SHE HELPED CREATE HEALTH CARE FOR WOMAN 55-64, WHO HAD NO HEALTH CARE AND LOW INCOME. THIS WAS FREE MAMMOGRAMS AND PAP SMEARS. F/U WAS ALSO PROVIDED FOR THOSE THAT NEEDED FURTHER EVALUTIONS. I DON’T LIKE TO TALK POLITICS WITH PEOPLE I DON’T KNOW. HILLARY IS MY CANDIDATE OF CHOICE. EVERY ONE ELSE SHOULD DO THEIR OWN RESEARCH AND DECIDE WHO THEY WANT TO SUPPORT.
IF ANY ONE IS INTERESTED IN SENATOR CLINTON OR WHAT SHE IS DOING… PLEASE JOIN US @ HILLARYCLINTON.COM, WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU. LOL, JIMI
Patty G. on 17 Feb 2008 at 7:46 am #
I have taken out the gender and race from all the Democratic candidates and made them all the “traditional” white males that have been President of the United States since 1789 when George Washington became the first President of the United States.
If you keep in the gender and race then it becomes a “circus” because all you are hearing in the first black male candidate and first woman candidate. Although you never hear first “white” woman candidate.
Once the gender and race is removed, then you have to see both candidates as white men saying what they both are saying and who is the best candidate for the next President of the United States of America.
Then we have to add in where we stand in our country right at the moment with the crisis of what has happened over the nearly 8 years. The key is 8 years of a mess, which is much harder to clean up then if it was 4 years of a mess.
I have to go back to the Nixon years, and Vietnam, Watergate, and the major mess of what happened during 1969 to 1974. Most of the voters in 2008 don’t even recall what happened back then and the years it took to uncover all the wrong-doing during this administration.
In essence, the Bush Administration has repeated itself in a similar format what was going on during the Nixon Administration. Both have wars under their belts, both have cover-ups, etc., etc.
Now I go back to the two candidates: Obama and Clinton, in my eyes two “white” males. I look at their experiences and what they have accomplished. In my eyes, out pops Clinton although not officially a Governor or a Former President but one that has been surrounded by what it was like to be Governor of a State and actual first-hand knowledge of life as a President, dealing with heads of states etc., plus all that was accomplished throughout 35 years.
When you separate gender and race, you get a clearer picture of the person and look at what would be best for our country.
Once the race and gender is put back into the scenerio, you will see things in a much different format.
If one candidate is elected. the general public needs to understand there will be no more “revival speeches” sending chills up and down people’s spines.
The next President will be without the crowds of people and will be sitting in the White House running the country by their choice. We won’t know if what they promised will be carried forward. This is why it is important to go with experience to get this world out of China, out of debt, out of War, and follow through with healthcare, immigration, and all issues at hand that have not been completed in the last 8 years.
I feel Clinton will be the one to hold the Bush Administration accountable for the last 8 years, plus bring forward all the promises pledged to this country regarding all the issues at hand.
Lonnie on 17 Feb 2008 at 10:08 am #
I love reading the comments here! Patti, Jimi, Sharon, everybody…..you teach me all so much!
Thank you Jane for this forum. It’s always enlightening!
allison on 17 Feb 2008 at 12:28 pm #
Yes Patty G, YES!