Pass this Bill Now, Congress!

The president's speech tonight was amazing. This is the guy for whom I voted. Congress had better pass this bill now. It is exactly what this country needs.

I love the way the president pointed out how Abraham Lincoln, the founder of the Republican Party, started the National Academy of Sciences and built the Trans-Continental Railroad, calling the Republicans' on their BS that the government has never built anything worthwhile in this country.

Yes, people, he is finally calling the Republicans' bluff. He's finally pointing out the sheer idiocy of the notion that the answer to all our problems is to dismantle the government and let the rich take everything. We need better governance and a more equitable distribution of wealth. The government has a role, has always been a major player. The answer is better legislation, better regulation, better investment of public dollars -- not the destruction of the government and the end of public investment.

The president put forth a great proposal. The Republicans are already saying they want to take the "tax relief" parts and throw away the rest. Nope. That dog won't hunt. We need to make a major investment in this country's infrastructure and get people to work right now. We need to pay for that, and the only way to pay for that is to ask the wealthiest Americans to pay slightly more in taxes. It's absurd that Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than does his secretary, as he himself has pointed out.

So the Republicans had better pass this bill in its entirety or they will go down in flames in 2012. This bill is our great hope. I urge everyone to call your representatives and insist that they pass this bill as written.

It's nice to see the president finally step up and lead!