Promises, Politics and Power
HILLARY
I have just recently rescinded my membership to all of the Democratic organizations with which I worked to get our President elected: Moveon.org, Democracy for America, Organizing for America, the DNC etc. I cannot in good conscience give these organizations my support, financial or otherwise, given their work to pass the healthcare legislation that is currently in Congress. This 2000 page bill does not achieve any of the goals, or even the spirit of the goals outlined by the Democratic platform to bring universal healthcare to all Americans. We need a basic non-profit healthcare system similar to police and fire. This bill only works to put more bureaucracy and profit into our current healthcare model. Throw in the Stupak Amendment and it's simply too odorous to even feign support. So long as these organizations work to further this legislation they can do it without my money and with my strong objection.
JACK
I hear a great deal of disillusionment and frustration in what you're saying, and I cannot help but feel much of the same objection to what is going on today. I wonder if this 2000 page monster of a bill is a change of heart by the President, or is it a compromise to get some part of his program accomplished with more to follow?
HILLARY
Since the President took office I have been asked to compromise on the positions that I hold dear, and they are the positions for which I gave my time and money to support. In my estimation, the appearance of change has led to no change in policy. We're still in Iraq and looking to build up further in Afghanistan. It may look like Guantanamo is closing, but Baghram is doing the same dirty business. FISA is still in place, as are Don't Ask, Don't Tell and DOMA. We're putting troops in Columbia? We can't even support the troops we have in two theaters now, why are we spreading ourselves out even further? As I see it now, we are still moving towards a repressive, militaristic theocracy supported by corporatism.
JACK
I am not defending the administration, but I am trying to understand it. You hit a lot of my sensitive points when you talk about the military and the danger of blindly following military advice — usually in the name of patriotism and security. I have to pose the question, to which I have yet to hear any answer — if we could assume that everything we are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan works out exactly as we wish, at the end of the day what have we got? What have we gained? In what way are we, or the rest of the world, better off? And have we attacked our attackers, or are we waging war against an element (the Taliban) that we don't like, but in fact have never attacked us? As a combat veteran of WWII, I cannot state as strongly as I feel the quandary of our military forces who we are saying these actions are to protect, but are being killed and wounded. And now it is abundantly clear that the government in Afghanistan is both weak and corrupt.
HILLARY
And it has even come to light that we are funding the combatants that are killing our soldiers via protection money from private contractors who are seeking safe passage on Afghan roads. Government money pays private contractors, who bribe Afghan insurgents, which funds their fight against American soldiers. It's craziness, and the definition of a quagmire.
JACK
I hear from all sides, an impatience with "when and how" the changes will come that we were promised in the campaign. I am struggling to believe that the overall goals are still there, but the path to achieve these goals is very stormy. I'm not sure that sufficient time has elapsed to withdrawal all support, as you are doing, but I certainly understand your reaction and actions. I am dismayed by what has happened in healthcare, the wars, and the economy. One of the major problems is that civil debate has given way to ideologues that shout at each other, and no one hears. I must admit, if I were your age, I'd be inclined to be less patient with the progress, or lack thereof. I think this is the time for a little satire, and some laughs about how ridiculous many people sound. I still have the words ringing in my ears from one of the Tea Party town meetings "Keep the damn government out my life. And stay away from my Medicare!"
HILLARY
I've gotten beyond pointing out the hypocrisy and irony in some people's rhetoric. Where I feel I have the most power is to whom I give my time and money. And unless the President vetoes this bill, if and when it hits his desk, I will spend my time and money seeking out another candidate for President in 2012.
JACK
I still think that there is humor in the fact that you as a Progressive and those on the radical Right both agree that this bill should be killed.
HILLARY
Funny as a heart attack.
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