Molly and I Ask Questions

In her latest column Molly Ivins calls out the Democrats and asks:

What kind of courage does it take, for mercy's sake? The majority of the American people (55 percent) think the war in Iraq is a mistake and that we should get out. The majority (65 percent) of the American people want single-payer health care and are willing to pay more taxes to get it. The majority (86 percent) of the American people favor raising the minimum wage. The majority of the American people (60 percent) favor repealing Bush's tax cuts, or at least those that go only to the rich. The majority (66 percent) wants to reduce the deficit not by cutting domestic spending, but by reducing Pentagon spending or raising taxes. The majority (77 percent) thinks we should do "whatever it takes" to protect the environment. The majority (87 percent) thinks big oil companies are gouging consumers and would support a windfall profits tax. That is the center, you fools. Who are you afraid of?

Thank Jesus someone published in the corporate media is asking these questions. My answer is in the form of more questions ...

Why would the rich politicians, Democrat or Republican, who depend on corporate money want to disappoint their donors by supporting single-payer health care, raising the minimum wage, and raising taxes on themselves and their friends? Why would they want to hurt big business - their friends and business partners - by forcing them to do what's right for the environment, their employees, or consumers? And why would the Democrats go out on a limb to end the war in Iraq when American imperialism props up their own interests as much as Dick Cheney's? Maybe just push for some other imperialist adventure (say in Iran or North Korea) or criticize the handling of the war while still voting for billions in Iraq war spending.

There are alternatives to the Republicrats, and now is the time to start supporting those alternatives.