"Yes, We Can" - and We Will

[NanceGreggs]

Dear Barack:

First off, I hope you don’t mind me calling you by your first name. Thing is, you kind of invite that type of familiarity. And that’s a good thing. And you can call me “Nance”, just so we’re both on a level playing field here and all.

Now down to business.

“Yes, we can.” It was more than a great campaign slogan – it was a great concept. You didn’t tell us, the citizenry, that we were in a position to do incredible things. But you did remind us of that fact – and, as they say, not a moment too soon. Let’s face it – we, as a nation, were sorely in need of being reminded. And we collectively thank you for doing the remindin’.

That being said, I think – no, I KNOW, you’re smart enough to realize that once an idea like that takes hold, it also takes on a life of its own. There’s simply no stoppin’ it. You’re gonna get people all over the place saying, “Yes, we can,” and they’re gonna mean it when they say it. And when anyone – even you – looks to be standing in the way of what we can do, because we have determined that it needs to be done, you’re going to have to step to one side or get mowed down by the ball you started rolling.

The torturers – perfect case in point. They have brought shame on our country, endangered our national security and our standing in the world, and they don’t deserve to live among decent human beings. “Yes, we can” keep harping on the topic until they are arrested, tried, and sent to prison. And we won’t stop until justice prevails.

Healthcare reform – just try and stop us now. “Yes, we can” throw the greedy, profit-minded insurance companies OUT of the mix, and ensure that every American can sleep easy knowing they won’t be bankrupted by medical bills because their insurance premiums are destined for some CEO’s pocket rather than their life-saving treatment.

Equal rights for all Americans – including gay/lesbian Americans. “Yes, we can” continue to fight for equal rights, equal treatment, equal recognition of marriage under the law. Hearts and minds are changing quickly and drastically on this topic, and the law of the land will soon follow, whether the die-hard Fundies (who have no right to dictate the law based on their religious beliefs in the first instance) like it or not.

There’s a lot more to be said, Barack – but I think you get the picture.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the job you’re doing so far, and I know it’s not an easy row to hoe. I’m willing to be patient, and give you as much room as you may need in future to spread your wings and fly. You inherited a mess and I (for one) never expected you to fix everything that needs fixin’ on day one at the job.

But I just wanted to remind you that you’ve started something here, this “Yes, we can” thing, and we’re taking it seriously.

Now, I could be way off base here, but being the smart fella you have proven yourself to be, I think you always knew that we would take that ball and run with it. And we have. And we will continue to do so.

So you keep doing that presidentin’ thing you’re so good at – and we’ll keep doing that citizenry thing you’ve reminded us we can be so good at. And in the end, between us, we’ll set things right.

Thanks and all, and never forget that “Yes, we can.” And we will. You, me, and the other guy. Together.

--- Nance

[NYC_SKP]

1. Ahhhhh. Thank you!

Recommended!

[saltpoint]

2. Lurking freepers will likely continue to resent the mature citizenship

and clarity in your posts, Nance. Not to mention them good writin' skills ya got, too.

They ain't got nothin' to refute your points. Nothin'.

Recommended.

[TomCADem]

3. I've Donated To Organizing For American...

In specific reference to the healthcare fight. We know that the AMA and the insurance companies will fight to preserve the status quo. Organizing for America has some great tips (see below) for calling your Congressional reps to support healthcare reform:

-------------

Calling Tips
Here are some tips:

Be polite, respectful and clear.
Introduce yourself to whoever answers the phone and let them know you are a constituent – mention what city you live in.
Tell them you are calling to say that you strongly support President Obama’s three principles for health care reform in 2009. Congress must pass a plan that reduces costs, guarantees choice – including the choice of a public insurance option – and ensures quality care for every American.
Ask if your member of Congress also supports these three principles.
Example Script for Your Calls
Hello, my name is __________ and I'm a constituent calling from __________ (city or town).

I’m calling today because I wanted to let you know that I strongly support President Obama's 3 principles for real health care reform. Any plan Congress passes must reduce health care costs, guarantee choice – including a public insurance option – and ensure quality care for every American.

Also, I think it's critical to get this done in 2009; it's just too urgent to wait any longer.

Does (Rep./Sen.) _________ support these 3 principles?

Thank you!

[Booster]

4. Please tell me you sent this to Pres. Obama. K&R

[TheBigotBasher]

5. As people said in my student days in response to something like this.

Sound.


K&R

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear Nance!

Ah, sweetie...

It's been too long since I've been able to respond to one of your delicious threads...

No internet access abroad really clipped my wings.

But now I've got my Nance fix, and not a moment too soon!

Beautifully done, sweetie....just beautiful.


K&R

[TheKentuckian]

7. As per the usual

K&R

[Mosaic]

8. Yes We Can!!

Punishing the torturers is a great goal, but punishing Bush and company for an illegal, murderous and expensive war of choice is a goal of much greater magnitude. Please never forget that. Thanks for the piece anyway.

[SeattleGirl]

9. Thank you, Nance!

[avaistheone1]

10. That's the spirit Nance!

Yes we CAN!!

[BlueMTexpat]

11. Thanks for saying this, Nance!

Yes, WE can continue speaking and acting on behalf of our beliefs ... just because Barack's the Prez doesn't mean that all the work should be left to him alone. That's not humanly possible.

So, when we're disappointed, whether it be because of actual or perceived actions/omissions concerning these very important issues ... and yes, I also agree with Mosaic about holding the Bush Administration responsible for the illegal and immoral preemptive war and occupation of Iraq, a country that posed no imminent threat to us (I'm not at all happy about Afghanistan either, btw) ... it is up to US to keep the issues front and center and let Barack and ALL of our elected representatives know that we will continue to do so, and to hold their feet to the fire until they do what must be done to address these issues!

Yes, we can ... and, if "they" try to dismiss our concerns, we WILL NOT contribute one red cent to their campaigns and we WILL replace them. We can find plenty of good, qualified and progressive candidates to oppose them in the next round of primaries. Their "D" status and their incumbency will not protect them so long as they are willing to sacrifice the basic ideals of the Democratic Party to some misguided "centrist" spirit that is nothing more than a sell-out.

I contribute nothing to the DSCC or the DCCC, for example, because their demonstrated interest has been simply to retain incumbent Ds, no matter how those Ds behave once they are in office. I contribute only to individual candidates. I contributed to the DNC when Howard Dean was Chair. Whether I will contribute again will depend on how effectively the DNC keeps Dean's state and local infrastuctures in place to assist progressive candidates.

Let us keep reminding them ALL of those facts.

[tavalon]

12. You and Bill Maher all in the same week

That was the most respectful calling out I have ever seen and I agree wholeheartedly. I get frustrated when I see what looks to me like out and out obstructionism on the part of his administration, but then, as you pointed out here, it's a tough job and besides it's our job, not his, to mobilize this nation and to in fact, mobilize ourselves.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[grantcart]

14. Pitch perfect again

[goclark]

17. Pitch perfect grantcart ~ you are right

I also like the WE in Yes WE Can.

I always took WE as a signal from him to us to "make him do it" by joining together and taking positive steps to give him enough push to do it.

The election is over and now WE must work in a positive way to make America a better place.

That means to me that if WE have issues with his actions WE need to start calling our elected officials, writing letters, emailing Lou Dobbs and even FAUX News and sharing our views.

WE need to continue to donate and make calls just like he organized us to do.

I am as guilty as the next person and sometimes forget that HE can't change health care( as an example) on his own -- he needs a constant push from WE.

Sometimes at DU we start to bash him for our personal issues and WE have done nothing about it but touch the letters on our keyboard and stay negative.

Yes WE Can make a difference with a positive spirit and working together on issues that are dear to our hearts.

[mkultra]

36. and a glimmer of hope shines. yes, WE have to push our reps

to get this working. He is not going to carry us on his back.

[Uzybone]

15. Excellent

[goclark]

16. Excellent ~ A+

[lunatica]

18. Gimmy a 'yes'! Gimmy a 'we'! Gimmy a 'can'!

[Cha]

19. It Will Be Done!

Thanks, Nance, for giving President Obama the respect he's earned when you remind of these rights and justices that will be achieved.

[Moral Compass]

20. Yes We Can! (God I love NanceGreggs)

I think I've just broken double digits on postings on DU, but maybe a couple of you have seen my musings...

Nance, as usual, is right on the money. We will and we have to keep up the pressure. Or it's going to go back to same shit different day.

This is the natural state of Washington. They want to go along to get along. They want to look bipartisan and collegial. The Democrats don't want to start looking like the Republicans when they were in power and were quite happy to shove pretty much anything down the throats of the minority.

So, they're afraid to take on the need to investigate and prosecute the crimes of the previous administration--both lackeys and leaders. They're afraid to take on the military on getting rid of the obscene "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy. They're afraid of not passing the supplemental that will de-fund the our two ongoing wars. They're afraid of really closing down Gitmo for many reasons.

Don't want to start partisan warfare dontcha know...

Obama in particular is backing off on so many things right now that it's curdling my stomach. And it is many of the most important things: Health Care reform, government transparency, restoration of basic Constitutional rights by terminating warrant less wiretapping, undertaking real financial system reform (which might break up the hugest banks), instituting real Wall Street oversight, and getting rid of that "don't ask don't tell" abomination etc.

He can't do this all himself. In fact,he may have gotten the Beltway virus and now that he's an insider he may not be able to think clearly. He may not even agree with the change he once believed in. We can't know.

The change must come from us. Don't shut up. Don't stop writing letters and making calls. Get noisy. We may, before this is all over, have to travel to DC and demonstrate. A couple of million clogging the streets of DC would get a lot of attention.

Now is the time. We have the votes. Talk to your friends, you neighbors, strangers. Start with health care reform. Hell everyone hates health care in this country. Do you know anyone that's happy with it? Do you? Well, I don't.

It is time to organize. A coalition of pissed off Democrats and Independents with a focused message is going to have a lot impact.

I propose the following two issues to focus on:

1. We the people are not going to let you cover up what happened when America was torturing, imprisoning without trial, and running roughshod over everyone's civil rights. We the people demand a special prosecutor with the power to compel testimony under oath about how this happened, who authorized it, and whether domestic and international law (including the Geneva conventions) was broken. This will include looking into the murky world of the NSA, the CIA, the DIA and any other group of spooks that have been acting with impunity for decades.

2. We the people demand that all options of health care reform be on the table and that the largest number of seats be health care experts NOT representatives of the medical insurance industry and their lackeys the AMA. The private insurance industry gets a seat at the table along with the AMA. But just one each. This travesty where Backus loaded the panel with those with the greatest interest in maintaining the status quo has got to end.

There's a lot more,but let's take this in pieces. We can't do it all at once. But these are issues that have to be dealt with now--today.

I live in Texas so I can't really call my Senator or Congressman. I might as well masturbate for all the good it will do. But give me the names of your representatives and I'll be glad to call and write them.

I've already written Obama twice to no effect of course. But we need to start flooding the White House with mail. And I mean snail mail. It is much harder to ignore than email.

I'm not seeing the change I voted for--what about you? Do something! Write, phone, post! Have local demonstrations! If we don't do it--then no one will. Remember! WE ARE THE PEOPLE AND THIS IS A GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE...

[Raster]

33. Nice! Welcome to DU!

[JimWis]

21. Excellent post. Thank you.

[Jackeens]

22. Eloquent and thoughtful as ever! Thank you.

[bertman]

23. YES YOU DID say it perfectly, Nance.

Recommend highly.

[jeff30997]

24. Once again you nailed it !

Thanks Nance.

[jenmito]

25. K&R. Perfect!

[liberaltrucker]

26. Way to go, Nance!

A heartfelt K&R!

[GeorgeGist]

27. Take a vacation ...

your pablum's beyond the sell date.

[mokawanis]

29. have to agree

pointless. reads like an essay assignment from a H.S. student.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Jackeens]

39. Well done GeorgeGist, mokawanis and Just Visiting, gratuitously ugly responses....

...to a gentle, decent and thoughtful DUer. You must be so proud!

[bvar22]

47. Just Visiting...

...Just Earned a well deserved Granite Cookie.

[Just Visiting]

50. Rats

I'm always the last to know.

I'm hoping that this site allows for differing opinions, as one person's thing of beauty may well be another's pollyanna-ish claptrap.

Homework is always a helpful tool in distinguishing the two.

[ooglymoogly]

28. Good job kr nt

[quidam56]

30. Change is coming from the bottom up in Appalachia !

http://www.wisecountyissues.com

[badgerpup]

32. You did send as well as publish this, right?

He does read 10 letters a day from 'real' people, just to keep grounded with reality outside the Beltway...

and Nance, you say it about as real as it gets.

[elizm]

34. He knows what he started and he meant for us to take it seriously.

He never thought he could do it on his own. I am sure he likes what he sees....even those who are criticizing him. He knows what the heck he's doing. Let's let him do it...and we will do our thingy too....He is counting on us!

[mkultra]

35. sounds good. Now, pound on your rep for equal rights legislation

and I guarantee you he will sign it. Fact remains, its up to us to get it going, not him.

[ckimmy57]

37. I love reading

your posts..although a little envious as I wish I could express my thoughts as good as you do. Keep posting Nance..

[WonderGrunion]

38. We are the change we have been waiting for

The second part of the slogan. Obama reminded us continually that he cannot and will not be able to achieve change on his own. The population has a role beyond wondering when Obama is going to fix things. We need to identify those things we can fix and speak up about them and act to fix them in the ways that we can. Whether it is by calling a congressperson, organizing a petition or holding a demonstration to bring focus on those things we believe need to be changed.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

40. This faux folky-ness sounds like Sarah Palin gone wrong

[Senator]

41. Patience for torture is "torture."

A victim's ordeal can end only when it is formally acknowledged and the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Justice delayed is justice denied. And we already have worse than delay.

Sure "we can." But we just aren't.

--

[trickyguy]

42. Pure poetry. I'm with you Nance as much as I can be.

[donheld]

43. k & R

[MadMaddie]

44. Darn it 58th recommend!

Bravo Nance!

Yes You Did!! Sum it all up very nicely like you always do!!

[TankLV]

45. Thanks, nance - it needed to be said, and you did it again, wonderfully...

out of the park...so to speak...

[GivePeaceAchance]

46. Completely awesome post. Beautiful. K... &....R.

[NanceGreggs]

48. Thank you so much, GivePeaceAchance ...

... and welcome to the DU Family!

[bluescribbler]

49. Dammit!

I didn't see this in time to recommend it. Guess I'll just have to kick it instead.

[Bluenorthwest]

51. What I have always known is that 'yes we can' does not automatically

mean 'yes we will' when it comes from politicians.
The 2012 slogan will be 'Yes, We Could Have' and that lacks a certain snap.

[katandmoon]

52. Peggy Noonan couldn't have said it better!