Feingold's Statement A Progressive Call To Arms

Just to bring up something nobody else has. Now that the Democrats have taken over Congress, I'd like to see that nasty little piece of corporate welfare to the credit card companies, the recently passed Bankruptcy Law, be repealed.

Of course, that will almost certainly not happen, and not just because GW still has veto power. The Democrats are largely corporate whores, just like the Republicans, which is exactly why progressives can't relax now that the Democratics hold Congress. We might make common cause with the lesser of two evils for tactical reasons, but in the end our vastly different strategic aims will bring us into conflict with our allies in the center and on the right wing of the Democratic Party. The "centrists" want things to stay pretty much the same, just with themselves instead of the Republicans holding power. We want things to change.

That's why I'm applauding Russ Feingold's decision not to run for president. A progressive presidency would be great, but in terms of changing things, it's more important that we have as many strong progressives and liberals in Congress as we can get.

Read Feingold's statement about his decision not to run. I've seldom read anything as classy. Feingold clearly places the ideal of service above personal enrichment, whether in terms of power or wealth. If we had more politicians like Feingold, politicians dedicated to making the country better and not just dedicated to providing a secure lucrative career for themselves, imagine what this country could be.

Feingold's decision should sound like an alarm to his colleagues in Congress who might be inclined to simply hold power, collect contributions and let things go on as they have in the past. The Democratic Party's progressives and liberals are anticipating action and our leaders intend to give it to us. Read between the lines. That's what Feingold's saying.

I expect to see a lot of Russ Feingold and I expect I'll like what I see. Hell, he might even lead the way to getting that Bankruptcy Law repealed after all. I wouldn't count it out.