Consider the following as an open letter to newly elected U.S. Rep. Ron Barber.
Congratulations on your hard-fought victory, Ron. The many Arizonans who made the grassroots push that carried you over the top should be proud of a job well done. We owe you a debt of gratitude for standing against Jesse Kelly, a radical theocrat whose poisonous ideas presented a grave threat to our democracy.
You’d think people would be happy, but I’ve heard from an alarming number of your supporters that they are literally pulling up your yard signs, peeling your bumper stickers from their cars and asking for their money back.
After convincing a majority of the electorate that Jesse Kelly was too extreme for your swing district, you spent your first official day in Congress doing your best impression of Jesse Kelly.
Apparently, it was a baptism by hellfire. Within minutes of being sworn in, you were caught up in a legislative conflict that disingenuously pitted border security against the environment. Unfortunately, you somehow decided it was a good idea to waive 16 major environmental laws within 100 miles of U.S. borders, ostensibly to enhance border security.
For decades, these laws have protected our air, water, wildlife and the beautiful places that make Arizona special. They govern how our national parks and wildlife refuges are managed, and provide ways to ensure that the public interest is thoughtfully considered in bureaucratic decision-making. Right out of the gate, you threw all of that in the crapper.
Even more offensive than your vote was your public statement justifying it. You said that border security is the No. 1 priority of the people who live along the border, and that this bill would enhance border security.
Both elements of that statement are patently false. In poll after poll, Americans have indicated by overwhelming majorities that they are not interested in trading away environmental protections for border security. In fact, just a few months ago, a Colorado College poll found that 73 percent of Arizonans rejected the very bill you voted for, while only 22 percent supported it.
Moreover, Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol officials have testified to Congress that the bill was unnecessary and unwanted. They said that environmental laws do not hinder border enforcement at all, and that collaboration with land managers actually improves security while protecting the environment. Yet you voted to blow that collaboration out of the water.
I have no idea which Creature From the Beltway Lagoon convinced you that there would be some political benefit in casting such a foolish vote a mere two weeks after an environmental fundraiser that netted thousands of dollars and dozens of volunteers for your campaign, but, clearly, whoever did the convincing was wrong and should be ignored henceforth. (A quick piece of advice: Next time, schedule a bit more time between the fundraiser and the betrayal. It really was bad form, but I’m sure your D.C. handlers will educate you on the finer points of manipulating your base.)
The worst part is that all of this was absolutely unnecessary. Pew Research recently reported that net migration from Mexico has fallen to zero. Regardless of endless caterwauling by the racist Tea Party types and paranoid rednecks you seem to be courting, the Mexican invasion is over. The Mexicans won, but then they realized how completely chingado our country really is and started heading back to Mexico, in droves.
I fully understand that pandering to the lowest elements of our society is the way business is conducted in D.C., and that the national Democratic Party playbook is rife with strategies that involve acting like Republicans. But I must say, with all due disrespect, those schemers on the Hill do not have the slightest fucking clue what your district is really like.
People in the border region care about the same things as other Americans—the economy, health care, educating their kids and, yes, a healthy environment—and they deserve the same protections under the law that all other Americans enjoy. We didn’t elect you to go to D.C. and become just another craven, conniving politician. What we had in mind was more of a “Mr. Barber Goes to Washington” scenario—you know, nice guy doesn’t finish last, but instead carries some common sense and civility into the belly of the beast.
I fear now that the beast will chew you up and spit you out.
We don’t need you to feed our nation’s ignorance and hysteria with bullshit pronouncements on border security. We need leadership and a strong voice to educate your colleagues that it is not necessary to destroy our borderlands in order to save them.
This article appears in Jul 5-11, 2012.
Ron, this article is right. Your vote was wrong. Even Janet Ñapolatano said to vote no on this issue.
This article is RIGHT. Your vote was WRONG. Even Janet Napolitano said that Homeland Security did not want this vote to go pass.
GREAT ARTICLE Another blatant betrayal by the Dems who campaign as rational constitutionalists who serve the public interest & vote like rabid extremists. This is a suckers game, good cop vs bad cop. The pentagon / corporations — “the house” — wins every time. There are no parties… When will people realize this? Its human survival vs a global surveillance state
Ditto. Well put, Randy.
Right on. I think Mr. Barber has a lot of people wondering why we didn’t think ahead and look for a real Democrat to run for Gabby’s seat.
Thank you Tucson Weekly/Randy. You had me at Healthcare and Education. Can’t please all the peeps all the time. Priorities aside. We rank 27 in this planet in education. Fact. Google it. The Patient Protection & Health Care Reform Act by two Chief, i.e. President Obama & Chief Justice John Roberts had resolved one prirority the 99% can agree on. p.s. I am a U.S. Veteran, hence, FREE Dental/Medical so no personal p.o.v. on this other than praise for Chief Justice John Roberts being his own man with a sound mind:) Peace out.
Excellent piece, Randy. Thank you.
Good to know…..I’ll be paying very close attention to Rep. Barber from now on.
I am not surprised…
It’s the same vote Gabby would have made…
And since Ron didn’t say ANYTHING of substance during his campaign (speaking truth on substantive matters during the campaign was the province of Charlie Manolakus alone), Ron’s adherence to the policies of the “best republican money can buy”, Gabby Giffords, is not unexpected…
But that’s the old game the Duopoly plays on us — the Kabuki Theater of USAmerican Politics that pretends that there are substantial differences between the two-right-wings of the Corporate War Party when there aren’t…
Thank you for stating what anybody who voted for Manolakis already knew-there isn’t any difference between the major party candidates and anybody who voted for Barber deserves exactly what they’re getting now.
Try voting Libertarian, folks-there’s way less guilt on your soul and blood on your hands.
Mr. Barber, you represent of D8, not just the fanatic and fringe Tea Partiers and Minutemen type that you are so beholding to. Get into the contemporary thought and develop the gumption to vote for what is right for the greater good not that minority you have sided with in reacting to their fear and hate rhetoric mouthed so well by Brewer, Babeau, Arpaio, McCain, etc. I am voting to whomever opposes you in the primary which is an improvement over some wanna-be Democrat.
Perfect commentary on the situation. Ron made the wrong decision for the country, for AZ, AND for his re-election. He needs to represent the realities along the border to DC, not pander to tea-baggers who aren’t voting for him anyways.
Look, he’s been there how many days? Freshman do what the leadership tells them. It’s not because they are squishes (though they may turn out to be so), it’s because they don’t know what is going on. In addition, as you recall, Rep. Giffords would vote with Pelosi when Pelosi needed the vote. When the vote was not needed, Rep. Giffords spent it on posing as a “Blue Dog” Democratic.
Retribution, thy name is Matt Heinz.
I can’t believe everyone is so shocked by this. He voted the same way Gabby would have. Fear mongering generates big bucks in this state and the democrats are as guilty as anyone else. This place is so full of stupid it makes my brain hurt.
Good use of “caterwauling,” and a fine appraisal of Ron Barber’s big misstep, Randy. It’s been a strange couple of weeks. Chief Justice Roberts saves the individual mandate by crossing the aisle for only the third time in his entire career, and Ron Barber steps out and into a huge pile of paranoid, fear-fiat bullshit.
I don’t think either will last, but I hope Barber wises up fast.
Barber, you are a disappointment and I can only blame myself for voting you into office…I will take great pleasure in voting differently this upcoming primary. BTW great article Randy!
This article is dead on . . . and this is why I now enthusiastically support Matt Heinz in the primary this August. Matt actually has a legislative record after four years serving us in the AZ state house. Let’s go with someone who has shown us what’s he’s truly about.
CD2 has a choice in the upcoming Democratic Primary on August 28. Dr. Matt Heinz, who disgreed with Barber’s first vote, is a candidate for U.S. House of Representatives. Read Matt Heinz’ press release at: http://www.heinzforcongress.com/node/63
For more more information about Matt Heinz or find out if you are living in the new CD2, visit http://www.HeinzForCongress.com.
Also, take a moment to “like” Matt Heinz’ campaign page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattHeinzforCongr….
You can also follow Matt Heinz on Twitter @MattHeinzMD.
This was an extremely bad vote. It is one of Marshall Law on the environment, within 100 miles of the Canadian and Mexican borders. This proposed law is not really about the border. It is planned to be one of the first steps in which to disable environmental laws in the U.S.
Geez. The last time I saw a selection of whines like this it was at a fairly decent restaurant.
How dare this mere congressman vote against the self-serving interests of the Center for Biological Diversity and, more importantly, Randy; a money-grubbing shill whose job it is to raise awareness (aka ‘lobby’) and support (aka ‘money’) to keep that lawsuit factory running!!!
One strike and you’re out. Progressive tolerance at it’s finest.
And it’s so nice to see a wet-behind-the-ears wannabee politico (Hi Kraynal! – she’s the Heinz campaign’s communications director with the well padded resume – http://www.linkedin.com/in/kraynalalfred – in case you missed it) pimping to get her guy elected four week’s after Barber’s elected. Real class.
Sounding a little whiny yourself, there, friend. Would you prefer to hear it from the Unprogressives how happy they are with Barber’s vote? Would that make your victory sound sweeter? Just accept that you got a wishy-washy moderate instead of a tea-party nut. That’s how Democracy works sometimes.
Dear Progessives are so predictably whiny,
Thanks for the shout out. I am proudly support candidate Dr. Matt Heinz; he’s a great candidate with tons of problem solving and policy development experience. The turn around time between elections is tight, and people deserve to know they have a choice – a sign of democracy.
Have a great day,
Kraynal
(FYI – Since you brought it up, I’ll quickly address your comment about my resume. There is no “padding” in my resume because I achieve it all with blood, sweat and tears. I’ll be the first to encourage everyone to put their best foot forward in the same manner.)
Team Barber sending out trolls to do his dirty work….Hmmmm….Heinz must be heating up this race and putting the pressure on Barber.
….Interesting.
Excuse me “Progressives are so predictably whiny”, it isn’t padding your resume when you actually have transcripts from the ivy leagues, its call a Fact. And as for “wet-behind-the-ears”, how many jobs have you had in DC, or any other political arena? Man up and show your creds before you start trying to dis someone who is legit.
“Team Barber sending out trolls to do his dirty work” Sorry, Dougie. No affiliation with Barber here.
“…before you start trying to dis someone who is legit” You say “legit”, I ask”Ever had a *real* job, Kraynal?”
“… I achieve it all with blood, sweat and tears” Missed the part where you had any *real world* experience … other than being a pampered flavor-of-the-week-minority-student in an unemployable major.
@Cascabel – did you bother to *read* your comments before you posted them?
Wow “Progressives are so predictably whiny”, way to default to ignorance with your “pampered flavor of the week minority student” comment. Way to discredit yourself. You disgust me and are a coward. -Evan Hutchison, Campaign Manager, Heinz for Congress
When I heard about Barber’s vote, I called his Washington office, but I was so upset I could not fully articulate how I felt. This piece says exactly what I was trying to say.
On some positions, cowardice asks the question “Is it safe?”
Expediency asks the question “Is it politic?”
Vanity asks the question “Is it popular?”
But conscience asks the question “Is it right?”
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Yet another betrayal of the liberal base by a Democrat. Is anyone really surprised? The thing is that Democrats NEVER get any credit from the conservatives they are trying so hard to impress with these sell out positions. There is no upside to these stances. It only pisses off the base. However, pissing and moaning won’t do any good. Register Green, vote Green.
As with any politician, his first order of business is to get re-elected. Don’t expect too much from anyone you elect, you’ll be disappointed every time.