Why we fight

I want to be clear that I am not stupid enough to think all Republicans are good, or that all Democrats are bad.  I know for certain there have to be lifelong Democrats, who remain Democrats, who are appalled by the radical direction the leadership of the party has been taking it.

And Dennis Hastert was a senior Republican.  I don’t forget.

What we are fighting for is not a specific content of policy, not a specific set of ideas, OTHER than that the most civilized, mature, and truly Liberal way of conducting business, of setting policy, of making decisions, is through principled and mutually respectful dialogue and negotiation.

Where the Democrats have good ideas, they should be heard.  And where Republicans have good ideas, they, in turn, should be heard.

But so much of our political landscape is militating against this very reasonable proposal.  We are to be reduced to a landscape of shouting and lies, a brawl in the mud, where the most aggressive, most devious side wins, the one that gets there “firstest with the mostest”.

All sane people should oppose this.  All sane people should oppose Dianne Feinstein sitting on this accusation for 2 months, then bringing it out at a time calculated to create the most trouble, and the most opportunity for political grandstanding in the face of the reasonable outrage and protestation she knew would be the result, long before brought out the letter she cited, but won’t let anyone see.

At issue is not just the accusation, but the process by means of which it was brought into the public domain, specifically the timing.  She can’t shout, now, that the committee won’t grant more time, when there was PLENTY of time, had she just done the right thing.