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Ed Garvey: Obey will shine light on bailout, economic injustice

Ed Garvey  —  10/07/2008 5:27 am

Every year the University of Wisconsin Law School honors former Congressman Bob Kastenmeier, a UW graduate. Speakers at the free lecture have covered a variety of topics from new developments in the laws governing intellectual property to the shameful Patriot Act. This year the topic could not be more important: "Economic Injustice," and the speaker -- author of "Raising Hell for Justice" -- is another UW graduate, Congressman Dave Obey. (A wild prediction: Iraq will be mentioned.)

Obey needs no introduction to Wisconsin voters. He is one of the most powerful members of the House, where he has served since 1969. He is smack-dab in the middle of the mess on Wall Street and, as usual, spends time searching for solutions that will benefit the average family as pension funds disappear and millions face foreclosure on their homes.

Dave Obey matured as a political leader under the watchful eyes of mentors Hubert Humphrey and Gaylord Nelson. His passion has been making government work for Main Street Americans. Will Congress demand a moratorium on foreclosures? Is the consolidation of banks healthy or not? We have a minimum wage; should there be a maximum wage? Is our $700 billion safe or will it go to the people who got us into this crisis? Should we privatize Social Security?

Obey knows how far he can push his colleagues. He will shine light on the debate over the bailout in his Oct. 13 talk at the Law School in honor of Bob Kastenmeier, one of the most respected political leaders in the country. He and Dave Obey understand economic injustice.

Concerning the vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin: In one of many troubling moments, Palin looked into the camera and said "never again," apparently to remind the audience of the quote most often used in connection with the Holocaust and the need to end genocide. And her thoughts about the office she seeks mirror those of Dick Cheney. It seems clear that Eliza Doolittle of "My Fair Lady" is the model. Professor Higgins (John McCain) is creating a person around an attractive face. She is a montage, not a person. Not her fault because John McCain chose her because she is a blank slate.

All I could think for 90 minutes was OMG. She could be president or, more accurately, the committee that created her could be president.

We must do better.

Ed Garvey is a Madison lawyer, political activist and the editor of the fightingbob.com Web site. comments@fightingbob.com

Ed Garvey  —  10/07/2008 5:27 am