Warrior for JUSTICE! Salute and thanks to Rep. Dave Obey!
Warrior for JUSTICE! Salute and thanks to Rep. Dave Obey!
Very interesting to hear retiring WI 8th district Rep. Dave Obey on air yesterday with Wisconsin Public Radio and other media. Did you hear him? Also, I read the valuable feature article reporting on long interview by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Washington Bureau Chief Craig Gilbert, “Obey leaves Congress with plenty on his mind: He vents frustrations after ending 41-year career” in yesterday’s (Mon., 1/3/2011) paper. NOTE: Be prepared for real “venting” language as Craig quotes Dave Obey in the article. Very candid! Dave Obey’s last day in our US House is tomorrow (Wed., 1/5/2011) as the 112th Congress convenes. He has done great public service for WE THE PEOPLE!
I think it is a very sad commentary on the way our American political culture has developed since Obey was elected in 1969 that explaining his retirement he says, “Why the hell do I need this anymore?" The background to that perspective is revealed by Obey when he asserts, "The mood of the country was . . . 'Don't bother me with the facts.' And I just got sick of banging my head against the wall, trying to explain to people why TARP was necessary, why the stimulus was necessary and why the health care bill was the right thing to do.” I urge you to read that article NOW – before reading the rest of my WE THE PEOPLE blog today. And then, let’s share our assessment of the public service of DAVID OBEY!
David Obey served in our WI State Assembly 1963-1969 when he was elected to the US House as representative of the 8th Congressional District of WI. (Wondering whether Dan Conry is aware that Dave Obey was only 25 when he was elected to our WI State Assembly? Too young for elective office?! Hint!)
When Dave Obey was elected to the US House in 1969, he was the YOUNGEST member of the US House! He is now retiring after serving through 41 years in the US House having worked in the House through different US Presidents – Richard M. Nixon (R), Gerald R. Ford (R), James E. Carter (D), Ronald Reagan (R), George H.W. Bush (R), William J. Clinton (D), George W. Bush (R) and Barack Obama (D). In his radio interview yesterday, he identified GERALD FORD as the BEST President during his tenure! (That was a surprise to me!)
He matured as a member of the House and became one of its top leaders. In 2007, he became the very powerful as CHAIR of the House Appropriations Committee. In that leadership position, Obey has been positioned to pursue his priority concerns for affordable health care, education, environmental protection, and a foreign policy consistent with American democratic ideals.
Thomas E. Mann, W. Averell Harriman Chair and senior Fellow in governance studies at the prestigious Brookings Institution, wrote about Obey in reviewing Obey’s memoir in 2007, “Obey is one of a vanishing breed in Congress whose entire career in public life has been committed to both advancing a principled agenda and working constructively with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to hammer out agreements that advance that agenda. Obey burns with a passion sparked by his childhood experience growing up in an economically vulnerable working class family and channeled into politics and policy-making by his embrace of Catholic social justice and La Follette progressivism.”
I read Obey’s memoir a couple years ago learning more about Obey and about our US House and our American political culture. VERY important information and perspective for me to keep attuned to as a Political Science instructor who regularly teaches the basic course, “American Government & Politics” for the Political Science Department of our University of Wisconsin – System. I first taught that course at the UW-College level on the Rock County campus and on the Waukesha campus since transferring there. I have recommended Obey’s memoir for reading by AP US Government & Politics teachers since first reading it at the “AP US Government & Politics Seminar for Teachers” in the UW-Madison’s AP Summer Institute for teachers for which I have been co-instructor with award-winning Political Science Professor David T. Canon since June 1997. David & I are now preparing with anticipation for the annual seminar in June 2011 – our 15th annual seminar! Very satisfying!
I URGE you to read Obey’s memoir, “Raising Hell for Justice: The Washington Battles of a Heartland Progressive” published by our University of Wisconsin Press.
There is a wide-range of “Editorial Reviews” posted on Amazon.com complemented by numerous “Reader Reviews.” You have to scroll down to read these features. Very interesting and informative critiques and comments on Obey’s memoir. I love to read these “reviews” which complement Amazon’s book postings/listings.
THANK YOU, DAVE OBEY for your public service for WE THE PEOPLE – not only of the 8th Congressional District of WI, but also for ALL the people of WI and ALL the people of our USA, Dave Obey! Sincere best wishes for a meaningful, satisfying and fulfilling retirement!
Here we go…
Mr. E.
John Eyster lives in the Edgerton area. He is an adjunct professor of political science at UW-Waukesha and an advocate for democracy/civics education in Wisconsin high schools. John is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Jan 6, 2011 at 9:50 a.m.
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rcosteri - you could give a monkey $1,000,000,000,000 of our tax money to spend, redistributing some of it to naive voters and that monkey would get reelected for 41 years.
Jan 6, 2011 at 8:47 a.m.
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As he worked for us, we have every right to comment on his performance.
Jan 6, 2011 at 12:10 a.m.
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After you've been elected to serve for 41 years in the US Congress, you'll have a right to knock Dave Obey. Thanks John for recognizing a true American hero. By the way, he served the entire time as the 7th Congressional District Congressman from Wisconsin, not the 8th.
Jan 5, 2011 at 3:18 p.m.
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Good blog John, give homage to another in the toilet career politician who has spent the last 41 years destroying America and what it stands for!
Jan 5, 2011 at 11:11 a.m.
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I would like to thank Dave Obey and the rest of his Lib/Dem-wit cohorts.....FOR NOTHING!
Jan 5, 2011 at 10:23 a.m.
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John, Obey's rant is a clear demonstration of the arrogance of power and someone drunk with his own self-importance. Over time, he ignored the people, thought he knew better than anyone else, and became Appropriator-in-Chief taking and spending the People's money on wasteful programs just because he thought he knew better. He didn't. It finally caught up with him, and he knew he would not and could not be re-elected in 2010. His frequent vulgar rage and bunker mentality cutting himself off from the oustide world are symptoms of deep psychological issues. His arrogance and abuse of power ought not to be taught except in the context of a demonstration of a rogue elected official clinging to power doing no good for anyone.
Jan 5, 2011 at 9:01 a.m.
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For any of you who really knew Dave Obey you understand he was an arrogant idiot. He was not for Wisconsin or any decent cause. He was only out for himself. Crude dude who could swear with the best of them.
Jan 5, 2011 at 8:53 a.m.
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nvgrf, if you are going to give him credit for the years he was there he also holds responsibility for the failures...
Jan 5, 2011 at 8:05 a.m.
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"Any elected person who seeks sweetheart deals to benefit their family or friends with tax payer money needs to spend some time behind bars."
By your own statement, Eman, you would then certainly agree that Dick Cheney should spend the rest of his life in prison.
Jan 5, 2011 at 7:06 a.m.
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Now they're blaming Obey for the period of a Republican controlled Congress and White House. Incredible the extent these people will go to shift the blame!
Jan 4, 2011 at 11:28 p.m.
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When Obey began his time in washington the national debt was $3.5 billion, today over $14 trillion; increased 4 million percent, thanks Dave!
Yet he was sick of explaining why more had to be spent...
Jan 4, 2011 at 10:48 p.m.
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Thanks for mortgaging my future and my son's future with this massive debt! "I place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared. To preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt." -Thomas Jefferson
Jan 4, 2011 at 6:46 p.m.
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Goodbye. It was time for him to go.
Jan 4, 2011 at 6:41 p.m.
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"I can attest that he was one of few distinctive legislators of the highest integrity and honor."
*Vomiting on my keyboard*
Jan 4, 2011 at 6:26 p.m.
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Yes, good riddance to another far-left loonie. At least he was enough in touch with reality to bail out before he got voted out.
By the way, nvgoof, earmarks are one thing, using the appropriations committee to shovel money into your kid's pocket is something else all together. It should be criminal, period, and he should have charges filed against him
Jan 4, 2011 at 4:58 p.m.
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Good riddance Obey.
Jan 4, 2011 at 4:50 p.m.
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Wake up lovemycountry. Earmarks are everywhere, and used by both parties. And if what you say is true, the dough could have gone to far worse places than the National Park Service. Teddy must have smiled in his grave!
Jan 4, 2011 at 2:26 p.m.
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The House Appropriations Committee chaired by Dave Obey approved a $2 billion earmark for the National Parks Service lobbied for by Craig Obey. Yes, Craig is Dave's son and the $2B is twice the amount proposed by the U.S. Senate. The extra stimulus money doubled the National Parks budget with no controls on how the money would be used. Obey, just another sold out D.C. politician who fooled alot of people.
Jan 4, 2011 at 1:27 p.m.
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Having worked in the Wisconsin State Assembly during Obey's state terms, I can attest that he was one of few distinctive legislators of the highest integrity and honor. He deserves our accolades for his long service and dedication to the highest principles toward the betterment of Wisconsin and the nation. We can only hope his retirement is only from Washington and that he will continue to share his wisdom and his guidance for a better future. Good job, Dave!
Jan 4, 2011 at 1:01 p.m.
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I got to know Dave Obey years ago through our mutual work regarding issues of the Middle East. He was indeed a fighter for the principles he viewed as just. He deserves Wisconsin's thanks for his long and dedicated service.
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