There was once a man from Ohio, who, although I did not agree with I respected. That man was Congressman Dennis Kucinich. Throughout the years he stood for almost everything I was against, and was against everything I was for. However, unlike most people in the House he took these stances based on
PRINCIPLE, not party line. His reasoning behind his stances actually made me think of him as a Democrat that might restore some respect to the White House, and Washington D.C. in general.
This all went by the wayside after yesterday's flight with President Obama on Air Force One. He changed his vote on the Health Care Reform bill today, from a
principled NO to a party line YES. I wonder what strong arm tactics were used on him. I don't understand a man who's own party shut him out of primary debates could suddenly change his mind. If you "have doubts about this bill," if you "do not think it is a step toward anything [you] supported in the past," if it is not "the bill [you] wanted to support," the why change your vote. I figured Rahm Emanuel, Barry O, and the rest of the White House staff threatened to throw him off the plane. Thinking it through, however, I figure its just the D.C. Bureaucrat disease that slowly eats away at one's principles that finally caught up with him.
Well Mr. Kucinich, I'm sure I'm not the only one telling you I'm disappointed. But, I'm not disappointed that you changed your vote, I'm disappointed that you sacrificed your principles which will empower the Tyrant in Chief even more. You had a chance to stand up to party politics, and for years you did. But, unlike Ron Paul, who voted against his own bill (H.R. 1207 the "Audit the Fed" bill) because it was attached to some financial reform bill, you went against your principles to publicly say you would vote yes.
You are
A Man of Principle No More.