An open letter to Ed Schultz

Posted on July 7, 2011 in Accountability Civic Responsibility Class

I wrote to ed@edschultzshow.com concerning recent events. You should, too.

Doubtless you will be all over Obama for his dealing with the Republican House. But we would not be in this place if it hadn’t been for you telling people to stay home in 2010.

I am 53 years old and disabled. For ethical reasons, my wife and I have chosen to support ourselves rather than take money away from people who might need it more. Now they will have even less. Our retirement plans include Social Security. (We are not rich.)

Because we knew so much was on the line, we made sure we voted in 2010. But I kept running into people — followers of your show — who chose to punish the Democrats for not going all the way with health care. They sat out the election per your exhortations.

This last election was decided by turnout more than any other factor. With the Congress we have, there was no other deal that Obama could make. I hold you responsible and I will hold you responsible for his loss in 2012 unless you take responsibility for what you did and tell America that you are sorry. You owe it to us.

UPDATE: The White House made it clear that there has been no change in Obama’s position on Social Security. Which means that any reforms to Social Security should not “slash benefits”. Back in January, he spoke about a bipartisan consensus that would solve the structural problems with Social Security without depriving people. This has not changed, the White House says. So exactly what are we protesting? Is this more tantrumism? Too many progressives are screaming “Obama let us down!” But what do they have to say about the Tea Party Congress they helped elect? Where are their attacks on the GOP? Don’t they remember how bad things were under GWB? (If they don’t, are they really old enough to vote?) This “my way or the highway” is what got the Tea Party in power. Use your freedom of speech to say how wrong it is.