Mike Stark

Fed Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke’s cloture vote will take place tomorrow, the day after the State of the Union. We may hear a 10 second news blip about him clearing a “key procedural hurdle,” and then the gas-bags will go back to analyzing the President’s body language and the First Lady’s taste in fashion.

And on Monday, Ben Bernanke will continue studiously ignoring the increasing unemployment rate while ensuring the Wall Street “Masters of the Universe” remain insulated from their disastrous decision-making.

I’m not asking for a kidney. These folks aren’t expected to sacrifice their first born upon an altar to FDL. Hell, we didn’t punish anyone for voting the wrong way in the past on important issues like the war supplemental. In fact, we’ve even rewarded good behavior, and simply asked for answers when we see behavior we don’t understand. In short, we’ve been good, engaged, informed and responsible citizens. What we need are responsive and accountable leaders.

I guess going home changes a person.

What was I supposed to say to this?

Last week, I attended a town hall meeting in Virginia. I sought out a couple that looked kinda grumpy and started talking with them. Our discussion was pretty far-ranging, and, in the end, I left thinking that these folks were people I wouldn’t mind having as neighbors, regardless of how much we disagree about politics.

Many of you will remember that I cut my activist teeth calling right-wing talk radio for my website, CallingAllWingnuts. I’d suffer through busy signals, long hold times and hosts with a quick finger when it came to hanging up on or muting me.

One of those hosts was Joe Thomas of WCHV in Charlottesville, VA.

After Valerie Jarrett finished her NN interview with Baratunde, I was hoping there’d be a press availability in which I might have the chance to ask a follow-up or two about some of the topics that came up on the stage. Unfortunately (or so I thought), when I got to the media room, it was empty. Well, I was hungry anyway. So I walked back to the hotel to find some eats.

And there she was. Right up front (not hiding), seated with Michael Strautmanis, her chief of staff.

At last night’s town hall in Towson, MD, Ben Cardin sketched out his case for health care reform. Unfortunately, he concentrated on the “Why we need reform” aspect (possibly thinking it would keep the rabid pack at bay? Ha!), and stayed purposefully vague about the “How we’re going to fix it” part of the conversation. I need to go back and watch his presentation again, but I’m pretty sure the words “public option” never escaped his lips. He spoke of an “exchange” in which consumers could shop for health care, but he left more undefined than defined. In fact, throughout his speech and the Q&A answer that followed, he frequently spoke of things he wouldn’t vote for – a bill that didn’t pay for itself would lose his support, for example – but he did not once tell us what he wants in a bill. But to be fair, he never really had the chance.

These folks were passionate about loving their country and not wanting to see it become a “socialist state.” They’ve been hyped up on fear – fear of the government killing seniors, rationing health care and, surprisingly, running the country into insurmountable debt. They are convinced the government fucks up everything it touches. They know in their hearts that if the government takes over health care, this country will cease to exist as they’ve known it all of their lives.

Senator Jim DeMint has emerged as a new voice of the Senate Minority. But he won’t criticize Rush Limbaugh for even the most incendiary racist remarks.

Remember these guys?