Obama has to be tougher

President Obama has to become tougher on republicans and twist the arms of conservative democrats to push through legislation in Congress in order to be able to pass health care with a public option, push through economic legislation without the compromise through republicans that would make the bill weaker, climate change bills (in which the recent one was barely passed in the house) and other legislation that is representative of progressive values. We need progressive measures passed in order to move forward as a nation. It is not about trying to be seen as nice, bipartisan, a good guy, or a man of good speeches. It is about representing the American people and they have elected democrats over the republicans in hopes that things can be done. We have had four years of George Bush as president in which a disastrous war in iraq, the lack of help in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, illegal wiretaps of the American people have all occurred. The Patriot Act which curtails on the rights of Americans' privacy. A No Child Left Behind Act that did the complete opposite of its title. This is part of what has happened the last eight years. Americans have changed their mind and support candidates with alternative ideas.

Obama has to be tougher or else the republicans will gain more power. Democrats have said they need 60 votes in the senate to pass more progressive legislation, but that is not true. There is a culture in the democratic party that tries to ignore conflict, be too nice, and compromise the American peoples interests. So this leaves a republican party with no interest in the American people and the democrats who are selling out the American people. The democrats have gained power because of the faults of the Bush Administration and the republican leadership. The democrats have gotten lucky and now have the opportunity to fight back with more power, but instead give the villain a helping hand who will pull the democrats off the edge. Obama has the most power in the democratic party (and of the nation) therefore he must assert strength in issues of health care, education, the environment, economical measures, and in forming a plan that can bring a progressive agenda to this nation. He has to draw the lines in the sand, tell the republicans what is and is not acceptable, and if they do not want to play to hell with them.

President Obama must be a fighter. A boxer does not win without throwing punches. Trying to run away from the opponent and make peace gives you a black eye. There is only one thing the reepublicans want and that is political power. They want to be back in charge and will do whatever they have to in order to acquire it. Harry Reid has demonstrated the utmost spinelessness of a politician by surrendering to the republican party because of a threat to filibuster. The republicans created somethign called a "nuclear option" which killed a filibuster and passed a bill when they were in charge. Now that the democrats have the power it shows that republicans can prevent progressive legislation by simply scaring Harry Reid (a former boxer by the way). The democrats will not be in power forever and I expect them to lose a couple of senate seats in 2010 midterm elections.

President Obama ran on the element of change in America with the wind of progressives to push him past Hillary Clinton to go on and win the presidency. One enters a new world when in such a higher political position. President Obama needs the people in order for change, however, he is not acting on such matters right now. Though it is less than a year since he has taken office, he can assert toughness on Congress and play the bully pulpit in order to make the lives of all Americans better. It will help the democratic party and any lack of toughness makes their power more vulnerable. They can easily shut off the republicans, but they keep on letting them do their own thing which is to prevent any legislation that can help the American people. Health care and the economy are the current issues right now in which toughness is necessary. It is time for President Obama to close his smile and twist some arms.