Senator Kennedy's Speech on the Nuclear Option

[Amy6627]

America has stood for fairness, opportunity and justice. Generation, after generation, our nation has been able, often with intense debates, to give greater meaning to these values in the lives of our citizens. But what we have seen in recent years is a breach of these values in order to reward the powerful at the expense of average Americans.

Those in power passed massive tax breaks for the wealthy and short-changed everyone else.

They granted sweetheart deals to Halliburton Corporation in Iraq while our troops went without armor.

They let the polluters write the pollution rules for our water and our air.

They let the oil industry write the energy policy in secret meetings in the White House.

Two weeks ago, over the opposition of every Democrat in the House and Senate, they forced through a federal budget that preserves corporate tax loopholes at the expense of college aid, and slashes Medicaid for poor mothers to pay for tax breaks for millionaires.

They twisted arms for three and a half hours in the dead of night on the floor of the House to pass a so-called Medicare reform that rewards HMOs and drug companies at the expense of senior citizens and the disabled.

They broke the ethics rules of the House of Representatives, then changed the rules to avoid investigation.

They want to break the promise of Social Security to our citizens by privatizing it, handing it over to Wall Street, and cutting benefits for middle-income Americans.

Now, Republican leaders want to break the Senate to get their way – this time with the nation’s courts.

Whole speech here: http://www.tedkennedy.com/page/invite/speech

[chaumont58]

1. I saw just a snippet of Tweety's show yesterday

He had Mrs Alan Greenspan on and they discussed the nuclear option. I'll check for a transcript when available, but my not really attentive ear thought they were saying that Frist doesn't believe he has been able to get public support for what he wants to do.
Its my guess that the nuclear option will never be used. Senator Elmer Gantry lost enough during the Terry Schiavo mess and he belives he would lose more if he tries to destroy the Senate rules.

[BrainRants]

2. QUESTION: Why isn't EVERY Dem screaming these talking points? Daily!

Ted is again right on the money, but once again he's a lone voice and will be sound-byted as the lightening rod.

Where the hell is everyone else?

[Mass]

5. This is particularly unfair on this issue (filibuster)

Nearly all Dems have made a speech on the subject and some (at least Reid, Boxer, and Kerry) have made several specific actions on this issue.

[BrainRants]

9. I agree on this issue, I'm more critical of each of the points in general.

Ted is usually the on only one pounding his fist.

You're right though, they've been united on the fillibuster.

[Mass]

10. You are right he tends to be a lot more outspoken than others

generally speaking.

And his speeches are generally very inspiring.

[AFSCME girl]

3. Thank goodness for

Senator Kennedy! Go Ted go ~ keep telling the truth my friend! :bounce:

[ohtransplant]

4. I think the Dems should have town hall meetings

back in their home states to discuss both SS reform and the "nukalur" option.

[Amy6627]

6. That is a fantastic idea! I'm going to send an email to the DNC.

I think everyone should. They need to be bombarded with our ideas, they obviously are doing anything on their own.

[ohtransplant]

8. I don't know what kind of deals have been made

behind closed doors but if Dems in Congress are sincere, this seems to be an obvious way to translate obvious advantages in public opinion into greater public awareness.

[Amy6627]

7. I just sent an email to the DNC here is the link

http://www.democrats.org/contact/

I hope everyone does the same.

[paineinthearse]

11. see/support post in GD

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3644016&mesg_id=3644016

...for maximum exposure.

And if you wish to be more active, see my post in the DEMOCRATIC PARTY forum.