I may have mentioned my activist brother. The reason I know he’s more activist than I is that I never get mail like this from Ed Asner-
Democratic Socialists of America Fund Dear friend,
If you at all like me, you have been angry for much of the last decade. Angry about the stolen election of 2000 and then the sequel in 2004 – and even angrier with what Republicans did while controlling all three branches of government until the Democrats took Congress back in 2006. And I am angry at the situation in Washington that still makes it very difficult to pass even moderate reforms.
I am still angry about war powers granted to a president without real debate, and angrier about the rush to war to protect us from non-existent weapons of mass destruction and ongoing occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan that seem like they will never end. And I am angry that no one in power seems willing to hold those who were responsible for implementing a program of torture to account.
I remain angry about billions of dollars in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, passed with the express purpose of preventing a future administration, like the one we have just elected, from implementing spending programs that might actually help alleviate poverty, pay for a national health care program, or respond to a hurricane.
Like you, I worked to ensure that the 2008 election brought us the change that this country and the world need. And I am sure we share a great sense of satisfaction at the election of Barack Obama and the thrashing Republicans took at the polls. But there is another thing I know for sure and that I hope you agree with me on: we won’t get all the reforms we need if we simply let the new bunch in power follow the path of least resistance- no matter how pleased we remain by their win.
I bet by now you think I am writing you because I am running for office or supporting a candidate or even a new party, but I am not. This is about what to do between elections, regardless of who is in office.