Those are the words of Ed Osborne after the Senate failed to override Governor Minner’s veto of the Eminent Domain Bill last night.
So true those words.
Politics isn’t easy. Civic participation in our government isn’t easy. If it was, more people would do it. And this country would either be a utopia or a hellhole (depending on your ideological perspective of what policies are easily enacted). But instead Delaware, and America, chugs along, inspiring hopes and dreams in millions by the opportunities and freedoms that exist here, while at the same time frustrating those hopes and dreams through obstacles and setbacks that are ingrained in our system of government and in our politics.
You got to want it.
And I am not talking about just the Eminent Domain Bill. It took years to get the Bluewater Wind deal done, and when the deal was finally done, it still wasn’t all we could have hoped for. And I am not just talking about politics in Delaware, for change and progress and protecting our rights comes slowly in America too. It took 89 years for Jefferson’s proclamation that all men are created equal to be even recognized. It took another 55 years after that for women to even get the right to vote. It took another 45 after that for the Civil Rights Act to be passed, finally guaranteeing the equality promised nearly 200 years before. And today, even though we finally have a candidate whose racial background would have disqualified from all rights and dignity 232 years ago, some people still treat him as if he was inferior just because of his racial background.
But enough grandiose bloviating from me. It is enough to say it ain’t over with respect to the eminent domain bill. And I write this to put John Carney, Nancy Cook, Steve Amick, Patricia Blevins, Cathy Cloutier, Dori Connor, Anthony DeLuca, Margaret Rose Henry, Robert Marshall and Harris McDowell on notice. Do not dare say anything in any future campaign, whether it be this year or in 2010 or 2012, that in any way gives an implication that you were supportive of Senate Bill 245 or protecting the property rights of Delawareans. Your vote last night washed away any prior yes vote on Senate Bill 245 or any prior supportive statement of property rights.
I will be watching all future statements and campaign releases from you to make sure you tell the truth on this. And we bloggers get that politics isn’t easy. We are in it for the long haul. And we have terrific memories.