Spike Lee’s film “Do The Right Thing” drove compelling discussions about cultural and race in my circle of friends. In the book Lee wrote about making this movie and in interviews, he refused pointing the finger of blame at any one character for the riot that erupted in the plot. Film-making is an art and the viewers in this medium make their conclusions ultimately.
Danny Aiello’s character Sal owned a pizzeria in a transitioning neighborhood. While people in the community grew up on Sal’s slices, it was clear that the Sal’s family “tolerated” the area out of business necessitate.
When I think about the Blue Dog Democrats, I see a similar situation. I was proud of most Blue Dogs for taking the town hall meeting heat this month and slowing the rush to pass a massive health care reform bill before August recess. The protesters deserve some credit also but they need to understand that a member of congress who easily wins elections must defer to those ballot results first.
Long servicing Blue Dogs are starting to look like “I don’t need this juggling stuff in my life.” If the Blue Dogs helped conservatives with issues during the Bush years, some of those conservatives in their districts should reciprocate on some level now. Federal retirement could be looming for some members of congress and political observers should remember that the total number of years for retirement includes time in congress, the federal bureaucracy and military. As the possible full retirement year approaches, members (like school teachers) might decide to ride the wave without rocking the boat or tell it like it is.
Like retirees in barbershops, these public servants can finally speak their minds with secondary consideration for pensions. I had to smile pleasingly when I saw a few normally tactful Blue Dog show some bite when protesters questions did not give them the same respect conservatives received while supporting Bush/Cheney debatable policies. While voting the party line on the far-left and far-right is easy, Blue Dog Democrats and the few moderate Republicans must analysis every vote to make decisions that best serve their diverse districts or states.
Like Sal in “Do The Right Thing,” they must also decide when enough is enough and if closing shop would be better than continued conflict and aggravation—getting out before a riot jumps off. On the bright side, Sal could have moved his business to a suburban mall and moderates on both sides of the aisle could move to better situations in the executive branch, private sector or academia—President Obama’s White House seems to like Republicans more than Blue Dogs. While I am not the best person on faith matters, this situation makes me think of Luke 9:25:
For what is a man profited if he gains the whole word, and loses or forfeits himself?
Discussions about using the reconciliation process in congress to pass health care reform makes me think about those brave Democrats who voted for Bill Clinton’s Budget Reconciliation Act in the early 90s and were defeated by smirking Republicans in the mid-term elections. History has proven that Clinton was right but many Democrats in safe districts conveniently voted against that important legislation to save their seats.
“I am voting the wishes of my districts.” But what should a member do when his/her district has formulated opinions based on deliberate misinformation efforts. Like Georgia native and eulogizer of Malcolm X, Ossie Davis’s character said in the Spike Lee’s film, always try and do the right thing.
Project Logic Ga 
This is just where we have a difference of opinion as to the function of our elected politicians in a representative democracy and highlights one of problems with the fallacy of Blue Dogs/Moderate Republicans. If “fiscal restraint/conservativism” is raison d’etre and cloak in which you wrap yourself in order to compete and win conservative leaning districts and distinguish yourself from the Pelosis, the Franks, and the Waxmans of the world, how could you support a massive porkladen stimulus or massive takeover of the health and energy industry? It is because it is a con to fool the rubes at home and now they are being exposed. With divided government, they had Bush to provide a check against the excesses of Pelosi and Reid and to provide them cover. Now they are forced to show if all their platitudes about smaller gov’t and fiscal restraint was true conviction or BS. Do not applaud them because their doublespeak is finally being exposed.
Deliberate misinformation efforts? Could you list these deliberate misinformation efforts? Just because Obama declares something is misinformation does not make it so. Despite the uproar about Sarah Palin’s “death panels” comment, even the vaunted NY Times had to acknowledge that such fears are not irrational.
Excellent post, as always Slyram. It reminds me of why I believe this Party system has gotten us in this monster of a mess in the first place. Why should any elected official be chastised and ostracized because he/she has chosen to pragmatically make a decision on something that has so many ramifications, far-reaching implications, and will impact thousands of people. To be expected to ‘rubber stamp’ any and all legislation just because one has a D or R next to their name is shameful and irresponsible.
I like the piece. Especially its tone.
Can’t quite agree with the point that I believe you’re trying to make, which is that the blue dogs need to vote for health care reform (or at least, this version of it) because it’s the right thing to do.
I think most blue dogs are blue dogs because they are fiscal conservatives and somewhat populist. They fear big government and big business almost equally.
This bill seems to be taking on big business, but only in a way that permanently entrenches big government as a crucial part of our lives, and it really doesn’t control the big business side, it just re-directs it.
While I’ll agree that there are many who will vote just because they know their district would retire them if they didn’t, I think most skeptical blue dogs are equally confident that this bill is just a bridge too far of government involvement and control in our lives.
I really don’t know what is next with the Democrats, the Blue Dogs or anyone. The next few weeks will tell a lot but a deeper look at the whole situation is starting to strike a nerve with me.
The Blue Dogs were decent to conservatives and their corporate supporters when the GOP ran D.C. but the GOP’s “Won’t Back Down” mentality dictates that few in that party are interested in real negotiations. If the voters gave the Dems the White House and Congress, do what you were elected to do and let the chips fall where they may. However, some “Dems” are really conservatives who wear the D jersey because that is politically expedite in their districts.
I stepped back from blogging this weekend to think about what’s what. For me and only me, there is no reason to slam most Blue Dogs since they are close to what I would do if I served in congress. I am beginning to think that the Blue Dogs are the counterbalance for the progressive caucus and without the BDs, the Democrats would be putted far left and away from the will of the average voters.
We know what happen: President Obama’s first actions were the required appeasement of the party that put him in the White House. But, some of those cats are spend-crazy. I am for Obama and for those who help him improve the nation. Some of the Blue Dog alternatives proposals and efforts are the most sincere actions from the other half of the political nation because many on the GOP are waiting for his failure so they can have power again.
In an interesting twist, the vitriol ginned up by the talk radio and opponents to health care reform is actually making normally quiet people rally behind some Blue Dogs. While concern with the reform size and speed is valid, getting ugly at meetings makes some voters assume a defensive posture behind the members of congress who they sent to D.C. time and time again. As I said before, your issue is not with the MOC but with the voters who overwhelmingly are pleased with his or her actions.
Friends are calling me questioning why certain conservative groups who the Blue Dogs traditionally serve are not standing with them during the heat. Don’t ask me; I can’t call it but I tell you what: Black Blue Dogs can get most of the Congressional Black Caucus to support the Farm Bill and the annual Ag Appropriations Bill but without those members explaining the importance of ag to the South and local tax bases, a Democrat White House would might revisit those farm programs with the blessing of Senator McCain and others who support a hands-off approach to farming.
For the Blue Dogs who never gave a flip about his president, who knows what will happen to your seat next November; voters are watching and the progressives are looking to make an example out of someone.