Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid:

Since the Democrats won majorities in the House and Senate one year ago, you have made some significant accomplishments.

I understand that you don’t have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate or a veto-proof majority in the House.

I’ve spent the last year defending you for doing the best you can with what you have.

No More!

I’ve had it. It is no longer possible for me to defend your actions without looking like an ass-kisser, and frankly, I no longer have an interest in defending you.

The Republican plan is working

Their obstruction has destroyed the reputation of the congress – making the House and Senate even less popular than George Bush. The Republicans know something you apparently have not figured out: The Democrats control the House and Senate, so when Republicans drive down the popularity of congress, it hurts Democrats more than it hurts Republicans — which is a net plus for Republicans.

Please, we beg you!

Stop giving into Bush on energy, the farm bill, the war, and many other issues. You will never have a better opportunity to stand up to Republican bullies than right now. 

Are you willing to step up to the plate and lead our country? It doesn’t look like it. Are you cowards, incapable of leading, or are you simply putting on a charade while actually bending over for your corporate bosses?

We would prefer for you to stand on principle. If the Republicans won’t do what Americans want them to do, then stop them dead in their tracks.

I’ll believe Senate Democrats mean business when I see the Republicans on the floor of the Senate at 4AM filibustering because that is the only way they can make their obstruction stick.

I’ll believe House Democrats mean business when I see Democrats holding strong and refusing to give in to Bush veto threats and wimping out because Republicans might actually say something mean about Democrats.

Speaker Pelosi, your claim of setting a “high water mark” is the worst argument I have ever heard for your cowardly caving in to Republicans.

All we ask is that you demonstrate that the Democratic Party is capable of leading our country.

As a life-long Democrat, who has never cast a vote for a Republican, I am considering voting for Republicans in 2008. The reason is simple: I don’t want Democrats destroying our country by caving in to corrupt Republicans. If we’re going to have a corrupt government, I prefer Republican crooks in office rather than Democratic ones.

At least that way we can throw out the Democratic cry-baby cowards and elect some Democrats with the courage to lead our country.

Geoff Staples