Doing Right By America - to be delivered 7/22 by Tom Dashle

[papau]

BuzzFlash Exclusive: Here's the Groundbreaking Speech that Senator Tom Daschle Will Deliver this Morning on the Senate Floor, "Doing Right by America." You'll be Hearing a Lot of This Phrase, "Doing Right by America."

http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/04/07/con04305.html

July 21, 2004

Doing Right By America

A BUZZFLASH GUEST CONTRIBUTION
by Senator Tom Daschle

In just over 100 days, the American people will make an historic and fateful decision.

They will decide whether we stay the course we’re on, or move our country in a new and better direction.

As I’ve traveled around South Dakota and the nation, I’ve heard a lot about the hopes and dreams Americans have for their families. I’ve listened to ranchers and farmers, teachers and mothers, police officers and firefighters.

I am always humbled by the honesty of their message. Families in South Dakota and across our nation aren’t asking for special deals or special advantage. All they want is a fair opportunity on a level playing field. They want to know that there’s only one set of rules, and that the game isn’t rigged against them.

Most of all, they want to know that as we make decisions affecting the future of our country, our first priority is Doing Right by America.

If a policy isn’t going to make us stronger and safer, if it’s not going to expand opportunity and put common sense ahead of ideology, then it’s not doing right by America.

Doing Right by America rejects the defeatist view that we have enough money to rebuild Iraq, but not enough resources to take care of America.

At its heart, Doing Right by America means fulfilling our moral responsibility – together – to create a better future for our children and grandchildren. <snip>

[wryter2000]

1. Finally!

Finally, the Democrats are speaking up.

[govegan]

2. Mr. Daschle is okay, however

I can't help but wish he would be a little more honest.

Here is what he says about one of his constituents:

" Brad called my office because South Dakota is entering its fifth straight year of drought and he’s worried. Two years ago, the drought was so bad, and trying to survive it was so stressful, that he suffered a stroke that left him blind in one eye. A few months ago, he had another stroke.

If the drought is anywhere near as bad this year, he says he’ll have to sell his entire herd of cattle – the only income his family has. If that happens, he’ll have to drop his family’s health insurance, which runs $896 a month."

Now, I feel sorry for Brad and wish him all the best. Mr. Daschle's comments that the drought somehow caused the man's stroke is misguided. Stress may exacerbate an existing condition, or make it more difficult to cope. Strokes are generally caused by animal proteins and fats in the diet. The biggest factor in the man's stroke is likely the herd of cattle which he contemplates selling. Too much collard greens and blackeyed peas don't cause strokes. Intensive animal agriculture is unquestionably a factor in global warming, and likely a factor then in the South Dakota drought.

An effective support for Brad and other stressed out cattle ranchers: no more subsidies for grazing on federal lands, no more water subsidies for intensive animal agriculture, assisstance in conversion to sustainable organic agriculture with real foods with real nutrional value.

Support progressive democratic values: Eat your veggies, early and often!