as submitted to the Huffington Post
By Jerry Waxman
There is a reason that Democrats didn’t win in New Jersey or Virginia. They didn’t act like Democrats and their bases stayed home. What is it going to take to convince Democrats to be themselves and to stand up for Democratic core beliefs? Why did we spend so much time, money and energy to elect people who betray us on critical votes such as the stimulus package and health care reform? In Suzanne Kosmas’s case anything was better than Tom Feeney, but at least with Feeney we knew who we were dealing with.
Since the time change last weekend I’ve been getting up before the crack of dawn and, as a creature of habit, read my morning paper with my coffee. Right on today’s front page of the Orlando Sentinel, just below the Fort Hood Massacre story was the headline Kosmas comes out against health bill which I had expected to happen, but hoped it would not. Two weeks ago I attended a meeting at Kosmas’s Orlando office with HCAN representatives. Here’s a link to that article which also contains a video of the meeting. I have criticized Kosmas in the past and I will continue to do so as I feel she is giving her Orange County constituency short shrift. She seeks union endorsements and money and then betrays them. She shows no leadership ability and frankly, as a 65 year old freshman in congress she’s going nowhere. Let’s put her out of her misery now.
Contrast that to Alan Grayson, whose district abuts hers in Orange County, what you see is what you get. That’s refreshing because Grayson is exactly who he is in real life and anyone who has spent any time with him knows that. At the recent Florida State Democratic conference I recorded a workshop on winning elections where he was a participant and had a lot to say on being yourself. The time has come for Suzanne Kosmas to go!
This morning I received an e-mail from Jennifer Kenny of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans and with her permission I share it with you:
“Good Morning! As most of you folks know, AFSCME President McEntee was in Port Orange yesterday for a press event at Congresswoman Kosmas office. At that press event, we were assured by the congresswoman’s staff that Ms. Kosmas had not really decided how she planned to vote on health care reform. Well, late yesterday I learned that Ms. Kosmas declared her intention not to support HR 3962 to an Orlando Sentinel reporter. Ms. Kosmas and her staff have not been honest with us.
Please come out and bring your members, friends and neighbors later today for a demonstration at Ms. Kosmas Orlando office. Address and details included in the forwarded email below. If you have a sign bring it.
She is not going to vote with us, it is time to take action and let her know just how disappointed you are.
Please call me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you and have a wonderful day.
Jenny
— On Thu, 11/5/09, Tony <Tunin2Tony@cfl.rr.com> wrote:
From: Tony <Tunin2Tony@cfl.rr.com>
Subject: Help Change Rep. Kosmas’ Vote Against Healthcare
To: Undisclosed-Recipient@yahoo.com
Date: Thursday, November 5, 2009, 11:05 PM
Dear Fellow Activist,
I have heard from many of you that you are upset and disappointed that Rep. Kosmas appears ready to vote against the Health Care bill on Saturday.
I share that frustration!
Rather than complain amongst ourselves, a group of activists has decided to instead rally and/or protest at the congresswoman’s Orlando office on Friday, November 6th. Many I have heard from agreed that 4:30 works best for them and their allies, so 4:30 it is. Please join us! Please spread the word to like minded activists.
THIS IS OUR LAST CHANCE! LET’S BE HONEST – FOR MOST OF US, IT’S MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING ELSE WE MIGHT HAVE GOING ON, SO PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BE THERE!
Orlando Office:
12424 Research Parkway
Orlando, Florida 32826
Research Parkway is off Alafaya Trail (S.R. 434) between S.R. 50 (Colonial Drive) and University Boulevard (by U.C.F.). Simply turn east onto Research Parkway, and the office is past Technology Parkway on the right hand side.
Tony Scelzo”
I can’t speak for her Volusia or Brevard County constituencies, but here in Orange County she’s toast, and burnt toast at that. Let’s get rid of her before she does any more harm. By the way take a little time and read HR 3962. It’s not everything we’d like it to be but it’s a promising start. The best I can say about it is the old expression “it’s not half-bad.”
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