libertango | Speaking truth

Let's assume you're a Republican -- the sort of Republican who thinks Ronald Reagan was a valuable role model, and a galvanizing force to the rest of the country. I submit to you that part of his appeal was his unwavering optimism, and his crystal clear vision of what America can be at her best.

With that in mind, some recent comments to contrast:

From the signing of the health care bill, here's Mr. Obama:

"Our presence here today is remarkable and improbable. With all the punditry, all of the lobbying, all of the game-playing that passes for governing in Washington, it’s been easy at times to doubt our ability to do such a big thing, such a complicated thing; to wonder if there are limits to what we, as a people, can still achieve. It’s easy to succumb to the sense of cynicism about what’s possible in this country.

But today, we are affirming that essential truth -– a truth every generation is called to rediscover for itself –- that we are not a nation that scales back its aspirations. (Applause.) We are not a nation that falls prey to doubt or mistrust. We don't fall prey to fear. We are not a nation that does what’s easy. That’s not who we are. That’s not how we got here.

We are a nation that faces its challenges and accepts its responsibilities. We are a nation that does what is hard. What is necessary. What is right. Here, in this country, we shape our own destiny. That is what we do. That is who we are. That is what makes us the United States of America.

And we have now just enshrined, as soon as I sign this bill, the core principle that everybody should have some basic security when it comes to their health care. (Applause.) And it is an extraordinary achievement that has happened because of all of you and all the advocates all across the country."

From the debate on the bill in House of Representatives, here is Rob Andrews (D-NJ) (starting at about 03:20:05 on that video clip):

"I thank my chairman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, our friends on the other side of the aisle have asked frequently tonight, "What kind of country are we?" They've asked exactly the right question.

Tomorrow, when a person is denied a job because she has breast cancer, or charged higher premiums because he has asthma, what kind of country will we be?

Tomorrow, when a senior citizen has enough money in her checking account to pay the utility bill or her prescription bill, but not both, what kind of country will we be?

When a person who tonight is scrubbing floors, or pumping gas, or waiting on tables -- tomorrow tries to go to buy a health insurance policy for herself or her children, what kind of country will we be?

For Social Security we gave decency for seniors. In Medicare we gave compassion for seniors. In the Civil Rights Act we gave equality for all Americans. Tonight, we will give justice and decency. That's the kind of country that we will be."

Meanwhile, here's Michael Steele, current GOP Party Chairman, talking about the strategy of blocking the bill with 100% parliamentary discipline at every stage:

"“There is no downside for Republicans... Only for Americans.”

I think the relentlessly pessimistic tone of the Republicans (let alone their party chair implying Republicans aren't Americans) contrasts so strongly with the optimism of the Democrats that it can only hurt the GOP, even on their own terms.