Kari Wuhrer, an actress with dozens of film roles on her resume who has been a regular on the soap ‚"General Hospital"‚ for the past year, is suing the network for firing her just because she got pregnant. She had better hope her case gets through the Supreme Court before Samuel Alito gets sworn in. Once again, the Democrats have apparently failed to find a successful line of attack as the Republicans push our society farther to the extreme right. And once again, the Democratic leadership has surrendered without really putting up a fight.It's time for a new set of Democratic leaders.
For thirty years, the extreme right wing of the right wing party has used snobbery, vicious attacks, and outright lies to gain and keep power. Meanwhile, the Democratic party has done nothing but whine and moan. It seems that most of the Democratic leadership thinks that whining and moaning is the way to gain sympathy, and that gaining sympathy is the way to win the hearts and minds of America.
This time, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid seemingly threw down the gauntlet to George W. Bush, vowing to frustrate any attempt to put Samuel Alito on the Supreme Court by any means necessary. Now, as Democrats are throwing in the towel, where is Senator Reid? Where is the threat of filibuster? Why aren't Democrats all over the Sunday morning talk shows, telling us exactly why Samuel Alito is unfit for the nation's highest bench?
Meanwhile, on the other side of the capitol, where is House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi? House Democrats should be pushing for immediate hearings to examine the possible impeachment of George W. Bush (and Dick Cheney as well) on charges of ignoring the Constitution they swore to uphold. House Democrats should also be all over the airwaves, telling us how the Republicans are cutting vital help to people who most need it while lining the pockets of their lobbyist and special interest friends.
The one resolution on this subject, introduced by John Conyers, is being ignored. Despite support from Charles Rangel, one of the most powerful Democrats in the House, as well as several other Democrats and many grass-roots organizations, it is languishing in committee.
If Democrats working at the national level really want to take back control of the reins of government, they had better start by putting leaders in place who will lead.
Grass roots organizations all around the country are beginning the process of moving new Democratic leaders up the long slope to national prominence. But it's going to take time. Meanwhile, there are plenty of nationally prominent Democrats who are far more suited to national leadership than some of the people we have in place now.
Democrats claim to want to change the direction America is taking -- and we should. But first, national Democrats should take heed of the fact that change begins at home.
Copyright 2006, Dan Jacoby
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