November 26, 2011 by Skip Belt

This Thanksgiving I gave thanks to the Movement “Occupy Wall Street”, because the movement has opened our eyes to the American malaise: High unemployment, an unresponsive and corrupted political system, a shrinking middle class, and an economic and tax environment that amplifies the income and wealth disparity of our people.

I believe The Occupy Wall Street movement is a legitimate expression of an angry and frustrated people. They feel that their prospects for living the American Dream and of having meaningful employment have been greatly diminished due to the greatest economic decline since the Great Depression of the 30’s.  They are weary of being debt slaves to the banks who received government protection while feeling they have no voice in a government bought by special interests.

The message they are sending is they want Fairness and they also want Government to be responsive to their needs, the 99%, and not just to the wealthy and well connected corporate interests. They are not seeking to destroy capitalism, free enterprise, and good old self reliance and replace it with handouts and entitlements, and social welfare. The protesters just want a decent job, a decent standard of living, an opportunity to improve themselves, and a government that protects them from the excesses of the Wall Street Casino, the avariciousness and deceptiveness of the financial industry, and the degradation of our environment by huge corporate interests. These are valid public interests and government must be responsive to them.

Obama had the hope that both Democrats and Republicans could come together to analyze and find solutions for the major problems facing the country. Many of us had the same hope, but it was a hope that has steadily faded as the Republican Leadership found ways of blocking any progress. It is truly remarkable that any progress was made in these last few years. The stated goal of the Republican leadership is to defeat Obama and to capture all sectors of government and to hold power by any means and at all costs. It is a battle with no quarter and no compromise of interests.

Now we Democrats must stop negotiating with ourselves. We must recognize that while we currently have no opportunity to realize any significant economic initiatives, we can be responsive to the 99% by listening and showing solidarity with them. This contrast with the Republicans is important and should prepare the Democratic Party for the battle to come in the 2012 elections which I believe will determine the direction of our country perhaps for decades.

In the midterm elections of 2010 the Democrats were swept from power because of the rise of the Tea Party and the fatigue and default of major Democratic constituencies. The progressives and the African American voter sat on their hands and did not vote. Obama was unfairly blamed for the poor economy, and the Republicans successfully used their considerable resources to make the election a referendum on the Obama administration.  Expect the Republican election strategy to be an attempt to repeat 2010.

But, there is one major difference from 2010. The Republicans and the Tea Party have held power and have revealed their true intentions. They have revealed that they are willing to risk harm to our country and to shut down our government to get their way. They want to do nothing that might help the economy that is favored by the Obama administration. Their focus is not on the economy or jobs, but rather on political advantage through over reaching redistricting, voter suppression and anti-union legislation while also patronizing their social conservative base with hot button social issues. Their objective is to dismantle the government compact with the people on Social Security, Medicare, and the protection of the environment and public safety, while benefiting the wealthy top one percent of our country.

The Occupy Wall Street and the demonstrations in Wisconsin and Ohio and the polarization in Government are symptomatic of the political and economic divide in our country that must be repaired and adjusted. For our country to flourish and be a worthy example of democracy our laws must be fair and our treatment of our people must be fair. This objective is not the objective of the Republican Party. They see government as the enemy and seek to make it ineffective and powerless to prevent or mitigate the abuse of power and privileges of special moneyed interests that keep them in power. They are deaf to the message of “Occupy Wall Street”.

The stakes are very high for our country. Look at the Republican candidates for President. Look at the Republican leadership in the House and Senate. Look at the crazies in the Congress. Look at the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court. If they defeat Obama and assume control of Congress, because Democrats let them win by default, imagine what kind of a country we can expect over the next eight years.

For the Democrats to save our country from mediocrity and relative decline, we must clearly confront the lies and manipulations of public opinion by the Republicans and their sponsors. This will not be an election in 2012 for the faint of heart or those who seek safety in competitive districts by acting as “Republican Lite”. Democrats must clearly show they will insist on the truth in all matters, and that they support the best interests and priorities of the people. There must be a pragmatic approach to fiscal responsibility and a willingness to make hard choices which will be understood and accepted so long as there is shared sacrifice. This is achievable by the Democrats only if they are united and committed to our country by voting for the change we believe in.