"This is a self-inflicted crisis, made up by the Republicans. It is dangerous, it is the height of irresponsibility, and it's unnecessary."[Thanks to Leslie Salzillo of Daily Kos for supplying these excerpts of Sen. Boxer's speech.] It's worthwhile to read -- and enjoy -- every word of these extensive quotes:
"We all know Republicans won in huge numbers in the 2014 election, and they took over the United States Senate and they run it. . . .
"And let's be clear, less than eight weeks after they took over the Senate, we are facing a shutdown; a shutdown of the very agency that protects the health, the safety, the lives, of the American people . . . They're shutting down the program that funds our police officers back home, our firefighters, our first responders. Any way you look at it, this is a national disgrace. And think about what our friends abroad, and those who are not our friends, are thinking about this.
"Republicans say, 'Oh, we're in danger, we have to go to war, put combat troops on the ground!' But they're willing to shut down the department that protects Americans here in the homeland, from a terrorist attack.
"How does it make sense, at a time when we're facing serious threats to our national security, to furlough 30,000, thirty thousand, department of homeland security workers, and to force more than 100,000 frontline homeland security personnel to work without pay? . . .
"I thought they were the party of 'family values.' Show me where that's true? Ripping families apart? I thought they were the party of 'economic prosperity.' Show me how that's true, when we know from study after study that one of the greatest things we can do for our economy and job creation is get people out of the shadows so they can go buy a home and hold a good job. They (Republicans) can't or won't pass an immigration bill. They will not do their job. So when the president steps in and does his job, they say, 'Oh, this is terrible! Let's shutdown a totally unrelated department. . . .
"I've never heard of a Republican complaining when President Eisenhower used his executive order power to help immigrants, when President Nixon did the same thing to protect immigrants, when President Ronald Reagan, their hero, protected immigrants, when George Bush Sr. protected immigrants, when George W. Bush protected immigrants, they all used their authority.
"Show me one Republican that stood up and said, 'Oh this is outrageous! Let's impeach the president. But it's president Obama. And they're annoyed because he won twice. Sorry. Sorry. Wake up and smell the roses. He IS the President. . . .
"So tell me, Republicans . . . . How does it make sense? Because you're too incompetent to hold a vote on your immigration plan? You want to kick people out of the country? Put it to a vote! Let's go. You want to deport 11 million people? Put it to a vote. Don't hide behind the Homeland Security Bill, holding the President's work hostage. You never did it to the other presidents.
"Our national security is at stake, our family values are at stake. And our economy is at stake here. So get over the fact that you don't like the president. We get it. You couldn't beat him. Too bad for you. But you're in charge here, in the Senate. Do your job! Bring an immigration bill to the floor. Let's let this Homeland Security Bill go [to the floor as a separate bill]. It's a bipartisan bill. It's funding for the most important thing we're doing today. . . . Don't hold it hostage to your hatred of this president . . .
"Listen, I served with five presidents. I'm a strong Democrat. . . . But I respect the office of the presidency. If I didn't agree with Ronald Reagan, I came down here and said it. But we had the respect back and forth. If we lost, we lost. And we moved on. And that worked both ways. I know what it is not to like the policies of a president. I get it. But don't overdo it and make it so personal. Get on with it. Grow up. Do your job, you know? Do your job! Have respect for the office of the presidency. Don't suddenly say executive orders are bad when the president you don't like does it, but you don't say one word when a Republican president does the same thing!"
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Strong words . . . and not one bit stronger than warranted and necessary. Thank you, Sen. Boxer -- and please change your mind about retiring. The American people need elected representatives who will speak with such passion for the common sense, progressive side.
Ralph
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