Forum Post: An Open Letter to Politicians

For the Democrats: Just because we tossed the Republicans out of power in 2008 doesn’t mean we were giving the Liberal Left a mandate to Tax and Spend. It just means we were tired of their incompetence and lack of caring for the common citizen. We were hoping maybe you could do better. News Flash…you guys are no better than them and we are still tired of incompetence and lack of caring for us!

To the Republicans: Just because we put you back in power in one house of Congress in 2010 doesn’t mean we were giving the Far Right a mandate. It just means we are STILL tired of incompetence and alarmed by how far Left the other side had gone after we routed you in 2008. We’re not impressed by your approach toward governance by just saying no. We did not give you permission to swing the pendulum all the way to the other side of the spectrum. Like a good carpenter, we just want the bubble to be centered in the level so America is plumb and true.

For the Tea Party: The REAL Boston Tea Party wasn’t about eliminating taxes or even about cutting taxes. It was about no taxation without representation. The Founding Fathers understood that government had a function, had to deliver services to the people, AND had to have a way to pay for it. Given the lack of concern with us that government has shown in the past 10 years, the whole taxation without representation thing is probably making a comeback. But you’re not the answer.

PS for the Tea Party: You were created in a masterful sleight of hand. The far right gained absolute control of the entire Republican Party by co-opting the middle of the road voter like us who was susceptible to the single issue surface appeal of “No New Taxes”. That makes great political theater, but really crappy policy. Most of us realize we have to cut spending and also have to take a balanced view of tax cuts and selective tax increases to restore health to the system. The emergence of the 99% is the first sign that many of those who listened to your siren song are waking up and catching on to what you’ve done.