Contrary to the popular opinion of the country’s political pundits, the Democrat Party is not dead nor hopelessly adrift. I have spent nearly 35 years of active involvement within many levels of the party. To be sure these are not the best of times for Democrats. However, it is not like we haven’t been here before. The Democrat Party is still the best hope for those common, everyday Americans who go to work, raise families, coach Little League baseball teams, are Brownie Scout leaders, volunteer for their church potluck dinners, send their sons and daughters off to the military and into harm’s way and provide a whole host of community involvements with rare acknowledgment or public recognition for most. These are the people. These are the people of this great nation. These are the people who have made this country what it is. These are the people, regardless of race, color, creed, culture or religion that make up this wonderful tapestry we call America. And these are the people public officials were elected to serve.
In a sense both Democrat and Republican leaders and public officials have lost their way. They have confused public service with an opportunity for personal gain. They see the act of governing as a polarized game of “gotcha.” They appear to cater more to the funders of their campaigns; the corporations, the special interest lobbyists and the financial secrecy of political action committees who provide the money for their election, re-election, self-preservation and political longevity. Which leaves many Americans just fed up with the whole business, which probably explains the low approval rate of members of Congress and public servants in general and at the low percentage of eligible voters who participate in our elections. It is my intent on the pages of this site to provide something much more than another diatribe of what’s wrong with America. Preferably it is my purpose to provide possible solutions to the problems facing our great country.
That being said, there are certain realities that can’t be glossed over with rhetoric. The nation has lost its credibility with our allies and foreign nations. The old demons of bigotry, discrimination and white supremacy have raised there ugly heads once again. A president who occupies the White House seems incapable of leadership and lacks a sense of moral clarity. Congressional members of the president’s own party are reluctant to criticize him for fear of being rebuked by President Trump With some exceptions, most remain silent, especially those who are up for re-election in red states in 2018. To be fair, the major news outlets are drawn to the president’s unpredictable antics and pronouncements. Gone are the days of Walter Cronkite, Barbara Walters and Tom Brokaw. Today’s media establishment is all about viewer ratings and readership which ultimately effects the bottom line and the careers of these news persons. For all the president’s belligerence towards the “mainstream media”, he should thank them every night for creating him in the first place! The country I fear is going to pay a great price for the election of the current administration.
Finally, I would like to paraphrase Edmund Burke, the renowned Irish political theorist and philosopher, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good persons to do nothing.” For me doing nothing is no longer an option. Again to quote Burke, “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” This is my small attempt to offer solutions to our nation’s problems and call out those who threaten to diminish our country and its people. I look forward to sharing my ideas and thoughts with those who visit this site and I will appreciate your comments.
Respectfully submitted by C.F Scott – 8/5/2017
The Progressive Democrat 