Open Letter to Obama

[babylonsister]

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/12892

Open Letter to Obama

by Stephen Fleischman | February 17, 2008



You're rounding the turn, heading down the home stretch, running neck and neck with the lead horse, so don't blow it now.

snip//

Remember, Barack, we've come a long way.

This country was born in genocide (the killing of the Indians) and grew up as a slaveocracy (use of the Africans). The myth that our founding fathers were liberal democrats is just that, a myth. They were rich, white, landowners (only landowners could vote) and most were also slave owners. Yes, they broke from colonialism and beat back the British. They wrote the constitution to suit their needs. But we lucked out. It was Thomas Jefferson (also a slaveholder) who put democracy into our constitution with the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments. Ex-slaves got the vote with the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, women with the 19th Amendment in 1920.

It's now time to extend those rights, to guarantee the health of the American people.

You must learn to walk in the footsteps of the great Americans this country has produced; not only men like Senator Justin S. Morrill, but also unionists and political activists like Eugene V. Debs, one of the founders of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), organizer of one of the first industrial unions in the United States, the American Railway Union. He ran for President of the United States five times as the Socialist Party of America candidate, in 1904, 1908, 1912, and 1920, the last time from prison where he was jailed for his part in the Pullman strike and received a million votes.

You must walk in the footsteps of the great John L. Lewis, organizer of the mine workers and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) which established the United Steel Workers of America and helped organize millions of other industrial workers in the 1930s.

And, of course, you must walk in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln who bucked the slave system and saved the Union.

Today, the Union must be saved again, and you're the man to do it.
_______

[Faygo Kid]

1. I like the historical references.

Good to see unions in the forefront again.

Lots of fascinating history there with Debs and Lewis. They sure didn't always see eye to eye with Dem leadership. To put it mildly.

I think Obama is already walking in Lincoln's footsteps. Thanks.

[babylonsister]

2. He sure is giving me great hope for a chance at real change. nt

[Faygo Kid]

3. Geez, your optimism must be infectious, cuz you sure got the hearts.

Congratulations.

I'm glad you're on our side, with all those hearts.

I haven't seen that kind of popularity since - well -

[babylonsister]

4. Oh, my...

:rofl: :hi: