Hey Democrats, stop wasting time!

It is not difficult to see a complete lack of accomplishment in Washington during the past year. Disheartened and disenchanted constituents will soon be banging on their representatives’ doors demanding answers.

The answer of a comatose Congress will be the Democratic majority cramming passable legislation down their Republican counterparts’ throats in the upcoming months in an attempt to portray a working group of what we know are fighting children.

Disappointed citizens are on the prowl for something new, someone to blame and something to change.

Pollster Celinda Lake, who worked for freshly defeated Democratic senatorial candidate Martha Coakley, thinks “2010 is turning out to be a blame election.” And right she is.

But Democrats are counting on something more than finger-pointing in this next election; they are banking on a key population who is terrified to see another Republican romp in 2010. That core is quickly dissolving.

Democrats would do well to band together during the upcoming months to enact the real change Americans have been dreaming of for too long.

Democrats, if nothing else, repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” This would not only be an act to satisfy disappointed Democrats – it would be the repeal of a policy that is both a slap to human rights and a stain on Obama, who promised to be a “fierce advocate” for GLBT rights.

According to a released memorandum, chief officers in the Pentagon are willing to put this issue off until 2011, but it could serve as both a step forward for the GLBT population and as one of the few kept campaign promises. With gay marriage being stricken down in state after state,it is time for our government to step forward and lead in the campaign for equal rights and opportunities for every individual. Start by showing pride and promise in every member of the armed forces, and Americans will soon follow.

An infinite number of chances keep appearing for this congressional majority and our president, and they will continue to do so until the “blame election”  of 2010. It is time for the Democrats to begin holding true to their guiding principles and enact a genuine measure to “uphold the civil rights of all.”

Democrats, start with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” With any luck your constituents will apply the same phrase to your recent history in government.


E-mail: schammoo@indiana.edu