Words. For Your Consideration...
"...There was a time when this is how we defined political courage in America: a politician standing up for deeply held principles, in opposition to his party and a popular president, regardless of consequence. But today, we have adopted a new and distorted definition of political courage, one that rewards those who claim to be making hard choices, when in truth there is nothing hard about what they’ve chosen.
...Real political courage means bucking party orthodoxy when the leadership has strayed. It could be seen in Russ Feingold’s vocal opposition to the Patriot Act and the bank bailouts, or in John McCain’s scathing critique of those in his party who advocate torture. It could be seen in Gary Johnson’s impassioned plea to end the war on drugs or in his support for gay marriage, which he calls a “civil rights issue.” It can be seen in Dennis Kucinich’s demands that President Obama seek authorization for military efforts in Libya. And it could be seen in Rep. Barbara Lee’s brave decision to stand alone, among both parties and both houses of Congress, as the sole vote against the far-reaching Authorization for Use of Military Force in the aftermath of Sept. 11.
Real political courage also means standing up for those whose voices carry least in Washington, not for those who least need a voice. Such courage can be seen today in the House Progressive Caucus’s attempt to pass “The People’s Budget,” a budget that will create jobs and economic growth and will bring down deficits, not by stripping benefits from the poor and middle class, but by making the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share of taxes.
And political courage means a willingness to sacrifice for the sake of principle, to put the obligations of office ahead of reelection to office..."
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