Frustrated Yet?

Yesterday, the President of the United States met with top Republican leaders in Congress to discuss a way to move forward on some of the top issues we face. They all came out of the meeting optimistic that, after a tough election, the two parties could work together and realize that the problems we face are bigger than political differences.

So, today, Republicans sent a letter to Democrats saying they will block everything they do until tax cuts for the top 2% of income earners are passed.

Let me be clear on what they want to hold hostage for the sake of tax cuts for their friends:

-Unemployment benefits to the millions still out of work.

-Extending tax cuts for 98% of working Americans and small businesses

-The START Treaty with Russia (which would reduce how many strategic warheads the United States and Russia could hold and would set up a system where each nation could inspect and verify what weapons the other has)

-The DREAM Act which would give kids who were brought here illegally the chance to gain citizenship through service in our military or two years in college

-A vote that would repeal the outdated and discriminatory policy that is known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Today, the Republicans just put in writing what their philosophy has been for the last four years - stand in the way of any progress if it doesn't serve their party's interests.

So, if you lost your job and your unemployment benefits ran out last night, you know why. If you're a middle income American and your tax cuts expire after this month, you know why.

These are the folks you voted for. Just wait until January when you get to see more of them take power.