Bankruptcy Bill: What Would Wellstone Do?

[Radical Activist]

During the Bankruptcy Bill battles my thoughts have turned frequently to a chapter about that same issue in Paul Wellstone's book, The Conscience of a Liberal. In the book he wrote about how much support the bill had despite the way it placed a greater burden on the working poor. It was a lesson in how much power the bankers and money lenders have in Washington. He filibustered. He did his own Mr. Smith goes to Washington routine and stopped the bill from passing. I can't help but think that the Democrats who voted for that bill yesterday turned their backs on Paul Wellstone and everything he stood for. And in case you weren't sure, what Paul stood for was the average working person in America.

There were many times before he died that I would read about a horrible bill working its way through the Senate and say to myself, "At least we still have Paul Wellstone to fight against it." Its times like these that I mis him most and wish we still had him here to fight for us.

Sometimes people ask who our next Paul Wellstone will be. No one can replace him. Leaders like him don't come along very often. However, I was proud to see Dick Durbin doing his best to fight the Bankruptcy Bill. Durbin was also the only other Senator up for re-election, along with Wellstone, who voted against the Iraq War Resolution. We can't replace Wellstone, but Durbin is one of those who does his best to fill those shoes in the Senate.

The Bankruptcy Bill isn't law yet. When I remember that Paul thought this issue was important enough to spend hours filibustering, it makes it impossible for me to give up. I will fight this bill to the end. I will fight it on behalf of Paul Wellstone because that is the best way I can think of to honor his memory.

Who's with me?

[whistle]

1. That's great....

[ashmanonar]

2. i think we're gonna find ourselves missing wellstone

more and more as time goes on...unless durbin really steps up the plate. sounds like he's doing alright right now, but if he did more, we might have better unity among our dems.

but yea, wellstone's absence is a huge effect, just look at the bills they're passing.

[peacetalksforall]

3. By letters?

Yes, Wellstone was a rare soul. An activist-idealist for humanity. He was one of a few who could be called a loyal representative of his constituents.