Dear fellow progressives! Thank you for your enthusiastic support to help House Democrats retake the majority in Congress! We know what’s at stake in this election. Because while there are many names on the ballot this year, so too is the character of our country.
What else? Medicare is on the ballot – and a victory for Democrats would be a victory for an agenda to strengthen Medicare, not end it. The middle class is on the ballot – and a victory for Democrats would be a victory for the economic security of the middle class. The hard-won rights of women are on the ballot – and a victory for Democrats would be a victory for women’s health and women’s rights all across this nation.
When Democrats held the majority in 2006, we proved we were able to competently govern and work in a bipartisan manner to address important priorities for our nation. With your support and the election of President Obama in 2008, we passed the Recovery Act, tougher regulations on Wall Street, expansion of student aid, the DREAM Act, and of course, historic health care reform that won’t leave you to the mercy of insurance companies. Independent experts hailed the Democratic-led 111th Congress as “the most productive” in decades.
By contrast, as you know, the Republican-controlled 112th Congress is the least productive in modern history -- even less productive that the infamous “Do-Nothing Congress” of 1948. Here’s the Speaker Boehner-led House’s record over the past few months: In August, the GOP took a five-week recess, then they returned to work for eight days, and finally proceeded to recess for another seven weeks. It was the earliest that the House left to campaign in an election year in 52 years. The GOP left town with a long list of unfinished but urgent priorities.
House Democrats will clean up their mess. As our first priority, we will work with President Obama to pass a jobs bill which will emphasize our pledge to “Make It In America” and rebuild America’s middle class. Then, to ensure we have a government of the many, not a government of the money, we will begin work to pass our DARE: Disclose all donations and stand by your ad, Amend the Constitution to overturn Citizens United, Reform the system to empower the grassroots, and Elect reformers.
We must help President Obama by giving him a Congress that wants to work with him, not against him. Like the President, House Democrats are committed to reigniting the American dream by building ladders of opportunity for anyone willing to work hard, play by the rules, and take responsibility. There’s work to do. Don’t agonize, organize!
I will be happy to answer your questions in the comments section for a few minutes (beginning at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT). Thanks again.