Latest News - from the Charlotte County Democrats . . .

Reforming health care has been the central issue of the 2008 campaign. It has been debated for generations. Several Republican and Democratic presidents have tackled the challenge unsuccessfully. Obama promised to deliver. He won the election, and he did: That's democracy at work, and at its best. It's also called leadership.

Democrats are understandably elated. It is unfortunate that this great victory came at the expense of further polarization of our country. We truly believe that the passage of this historic legislation represents a victory for America and its middle class, which forms the backbone of our democracy.
Polarization seems to grow with each passing presidency. It was on display during the Clinton years. Although he started with the good intention of being a "unifier", polarization got worse during Bush II. President Obama made a valiant effort to reach out to Republicans only to be rebuffed with a solid wall of "No's", turmoil of the tea party movement, and a serious coarsening of the political discourse in Washington.

Are Obama and the Democrats guilty of not listening? Forgive us for refusing to heed the verbal bomb throwers of the radical right and the mobs they stirred up to scare the wits out of well meaning, patriotic Americans and their representative in Congress. Perhaps this kind of reaction was to be expected when we stand on the threshold of a truly transformational legislation. Change is not easy, or natural.

It is evident that most American support individual elements of the Health Care Reform bill. It contains over 200 Republican amendments. Yet, not ONE Republican saw fit to support the bill. That is absolutely disconcerting. The notion that the bill would have to be scrapped and started negotiations all over after a year and one half of debate was a disingenuous effort to kill the whole idea. All arguments that could be made, all amendments that could be offered, all parades that could be organized have taken their course.

The obvious aim was to deny Democrats their stated goal: making health care a right not a privilege. We firmly believe that is the hallmark of a civilized society.

We are betting on doing what is right for America. The voters will be the final judges. We trust their judgment, not their fears
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We all still pledge allegiance to the same flag. We all still want the best for our country. We all need to grow beyond the pettiness and bitterness of the politics of the moment and recognize that democracy is the best gift we have inherited from our forefathers. The collective wisdom of our people self corrects as necessary, and is able to rise to the challenge of the age. At the end of the day, it manifests itself in actual votes and peaceful transitions of power. Allow us to borrow one line from Ronal Reagan himself: "It's morning in America.. Again".

By Rom Mattesich, Chairman
Charlotte County Democratic Executive Committee
info@charlottedems.com