September 6, 2014
From: Peter Rodman
re: Your decision to delay Immigration Reforms
until after Election Day
Dear Mr. President:
I have fervently supported you through thick and thin.
I'm a white male of 62, whose direct ancestors signed both the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. (My middle name is "Livingston." Check it out.*)
I mention this only to emphasize that I have no 'dog in this hunt,' in terms of immigration reform. My family has been here from the very start of the U.S.A.
(Well...before it, actually.)
Your decision to delay acting on these much-needed reforms is not only a broken promise; it's just BAD politics.
Whenever Democrats fear their own positions, they end up losing anyway. Polls STILL show, a majority of Americans want these reforms.
But forget the polls for a second.
If you as President had shown some guts, and acted now--as you promised you would--sure, we may have lost a few seats in November. But it would have made Democratic candidates run *on* our platform, instead of AWAY from it--and fortified our base for 2016, and beyond.
Instead, you're literally popping our balloon--deflating the base, by showing us that our votes don't count.
You've bowed to an outdated 'conventional wisdom' inside the beltway, essentially saying to Democratic voters, "It doesn't even matter if we do get elected; we can't do what we promised we'd do."
Likewise, you're taking the ONE advantage we now have, as Democrats--the changing demographics in our nation--and THROWING IT AWAY, in a short-sighted effort to save a few seats we'll probably lose anyway.
Don't you realize what this does to those of us who've stuck by you, all this time?
It says:
 |
| The Reflecting Puddle? |
What's worse is, it'll only serve to reinforce the notion that Democrats always run away from their principles...
instead of running ON them.
This is a terrible decision, Mr. President.
You may not see it now, but this probably ensures a sweeping Republican victory--not only in 2014, but also in 2016.
You've just proven we don't even have the courage to stand on our own principles once in office--and in the end, that's all the voters ever ask of anyone.
You've let me down.
And those Democratic candidates who would have been mad at you for making the promised immigration reforms before Election Day?
Well, they aren't worth having in office anyway.
In truth, the GOP will *still* use these projected reforms as an Election Day hammer, against Democrats.
(Perhaps even more effectively, now that they can say, "Send a message to President Obama NOT to institute these reforms!")
Had you ACTED "by the end of summer" as you promised us all you would, the GOP wouldn't have that leverage during the upcoming campaign.
But you caved--to some very bad advice. You listened to the echo chamber. And like an aging hitter who's lost his nerve, you struck out lookin'.
You didn't even bother to take a swing.
This is devastating--not only to our party, but to our country.
Again, I write you as a supporter, not a detractor.
I am not a part of any immigration movement, any 'letter writing campaign,' nor even any minority. In fact, I personally know nobody who actually needs immigration reform!
As mentioned earlier, my family is white--and has been here since before the American Revolution.
You know the one, don't you?
Where we fought for what we believed in...?
I don't know what else to say.
For the first time in your tenure you've just given up, and thrown in the towel.
It couldn't be a sadder, more defining moment for your presidency.
I truly expected more from you.
Sincerely,
Peter L. Rodman
________________________________________________________________
This opinion column, and all photographs herein,
Copyright 2014 by Peter Rodman. All Rights Reserved.
________________________________________________________________
Click here to listen to two pertinent songs:
"America" (from 'West Side Story')
"Sail Away" (a song by Randy Newman)
Here's a link that explains
*Who were Phillip and William Livingston?
_______________________________________
You can send your OWN letter, just by visiting this link:
How to Write the President
__________________________________________________________
Note: Letters to the White House should be under 2500 characters long.
The above column is based upon the actual letter sent, re-printed below:
Dear Mr. President:
I have fervently supported you through thick and thin.
I'm a white male of 62, whose direct ancestors signed both the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. (My middle name is "Livingston." Check it out.) I mention this only to emphasize that I have no 'dog in this hunt,' in terms of immigration reform. But your decision to delay acting on the much-needed reforms you promised to implement is not only a broken promise; it's BAD politics. Whenever Democrats fear their own positions, they end up losing anyway. Polls STILL show, a majority of Americans want these reforms! But forget the polls for a second.
I wish (for ONCE) we Democrats could simply stand on principle, instead of cowering in fear of a radical right-wing minority.
If you as President had shown some guts, and acted now--as you promised--sure, we may have lost a few seats in November. But it would have made Democratic candidates run *on* our platform, instead of AWAY from it. Instead, you're literally deflating the base, by showing us that our votes don't count.
You've bowed to the outdated 'conventional wisdom' inside the beltway. Don't you realize what this does to those of us who've stuck by you, all this time?
It says "My presidency is effectively over. I give up. You should, too."
This is a terrible message,and one which probably ensures a GOP victory in not just 2014, but 2016.
In truth, the GOP will *still* use your projected reforms as an Election Day hammer, perhaps even more effectively, now that they can say "Send a message to President Obama NOT to institute these reforms!" Had you simply ACTED "by the end of summer" as you promised, the GOP wouldn't have that leverage, during the upcoming campaign. But you caved to some very bad advice; you listened to the echo chamber. And like an aging hitter who's lost his nerve, you struck out lookin'. You didn't even bother to swing! This is devastating--not only to our party, but to our country. Again, I write you as a supporter, not a detractor. I am not a part of any immigration movement, any 'letter writing campaign,' nor even any minority. In fact, I personally know nobody with immigration problems...but they're out there.
I don't know what else to say. For the first time in your tenure you've just given up, and thrown in the towel. It couldn't be a sadder moment for your presidency.
I truly expected more from you.
Sincerely,
Peter L. Rodman
September 6, 2014
_________________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment