Before all of you Republicans throw a party in honor of having “turned” a liberal to your dark and sordid ways I want to make it clear that my political ideology is most definitely intact. BUT, as I am a liberal Independent and not a liberal Democrat I will feel no guilt about what I am about to write.
Democrats are Douche Bags. I’m not talking about the voting members of the Democratic Party but the officials that have aligned themselves with the party for purposes of being elected to public office.
While it pains me to admit it, there is no avoiding the fact that on at least one key point concerning the Democratic Party the REPUBLICANS ARE RIGHT. Wow, I broke out into a cold sweat just typing those words. This is not going to be fun for me to write but it’s the elephant in the room and I’m done ignoring it.
It’s amazing that as consistently wrong as the Republicans are on most things they have hit the nail on the head when it comes to the Democrats. The nail they have so successfully driven home is the fact that the Democratic Party seems utterly incapable of coming up with any kind of an Idea for the improvement of our country. Think about it. Besides shitting on the Repugs, what have the Democrats come up with since G-Dub was “elected”?
Sure they can get together on the fact that 9 out of 10 times Bush is wrong but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that. There have been a few ideas developed by key Democrats and as far as I know they are just theories on ways to patch up the holes Georgey has gouged in the fabric of our nation. Not only are the ideas seldom of the constructive kind but when a “brave” Democrat does stand up with an idea they inevitably look over their shoulder for support and see the rest of their party whistling innocently and kicking dust the way you do when you don’t want to be seen.
The only legitimate party those of us that truly oppose the Neo-Con agenda has to vote for seem to spend most of their time trying to look like the same dip shits they are supposedly fighting. Should we go to war against a nation that had no proven ties to the terrorist attacks of 9/11? The Dems said yes. Should we infringe on the rights of every citizen through the deplorable Patriot Act? All but one Dem (Wisconsin Senator Fiengold) has voted yes. Shit, one of the leading Democratic candidates for President has championed a law against flag burning (which, by the way, is traditionally the honorable way for disposing of our flag).
Here we are, on the verge of mid term elections, and the Democrats have yet to agree on a way of capitalizing on the eye opening failures of the Republican Party. These ass holes are so inept that they can’t get together on the best way to take the lollipop from the hands of a spoiled baby.
What are voting Democrats supposed to get behind? Between the absence of any real ideas, the Republican-lite policies, and the lack of a united front, the Democratic Party looks like a bunch of children who’s only consistent message is “We don’t know what we like but we don’t like this”.
For my part, I think the only real redemption for the party is an embracing of the liberal views that directly oppose the Neo-Con agenda. Until Democrats lose their fear of reprisal for pushing true reform then they are going to continue to look like naysayers that can’t decide on where to eat dinner let alone how to run a country.
These people are the only group in America that can make Republicans look like a semi-legitimate option. These guys should be ashamed of themselves. Furthermore, there is sufficient proof to support the fact that they are big gleaming douche bags.
I was so fed up about this that I placed my own call to the purveyors of all things jerk. They were extremely busy due to their newest line of jerks, spearheaded by the “Hillary Collection”, so they had to call me back. The Big Red Phone is ringing and answering it is just a formality. Hey chicken shit Democrats, the Jerk Store called. They ran out of you.
Moody
Agreed and Agreed. So, now what? Come election time, we are still screwed. Do we stand up and do the right thing by voting for the platform, not the party? As I have said before, too many are scared to do so. A vote not for a Dem is like a vote for a Rep (at least until the revolution is here... I'm not sure it has arrived yet)in this bi-partisan world we live in.
I went to the poll the last Pres election knowing there was no way in hell I was voting for Georgie, but I did ask myself if Kerry was the man who could get us out of the mess we were in. No. Truthfully, I don't know that anyone could have gotten us out of the mess we were in at that point, though perhaps he would have kept us from straying further down that path.
If people would vote based on voting records and not party lines, advertisements or what other misinformeds tell them they should do, things sure would be different.
Political Newbie (previously Stumped, though I obviously still am...)
For some reason this solution came to mind so i am going to run with it... who stereotypically embodies all the leadership qualities (strength, honor, and ability to persuade), reasoning abilities, and compassion. I hate to say it but a mother, thats right i think we need a mom in the white house, and by mom i mean a non politician (no hilary's, condaleeza's or that ex governor bitch from jersey).
We should select a random housewife with 2-3 kids, average income, and a husband who has blue coller job. This may be the only truly neutral person, and she has to be soo busy that she doesnt think or care about religion.
You may say, but hey she will be ill equiped to handle such complex military and economic problems that face our nation... thats why i think we should elect her cabinet members for her.
Picture it in you head, a bunch of experts in their field (defense, economics, etc.) all being run by mommy. Its politicians being ran by common sense. So i say we pick some random mommy out there, maybe we can make a reality show out of the selection process.
I can't consider myself a democrat because I'm a good deal more liberal than a lot of their stances, but I have a hard time voting for for anyone else in major elections knowing that I could be helping the "enemy" gain or keep power.
I think our best option is to get alternative candidates elected into local positions and hope they do a good enough job that we can use their succes as a basis for expansion into the upper ranks of national politics. It will be a long drawn out process but I just can't see a party taking over from either of the two big dogs in one fell swoop.
Thanks for sharing your opinion on this maddening issue.
Moody
Thanks for your (as usual) interesting and thought-provoking post.
I'm as frustrated as you are, but am hoping the democrats are able to look within themselves and find the strength and wisdom that have made us the party that has rescued the US from crisis after crisis over many decades.
If we try to out dumb-down the republicans, it's gonna backfire, but I'm afraid that's the direction in which we're headed. Did you by any chance read James Fallows in the Atlantic sometime in early '05? He wrote a fictional piece, set in 2016, about the deterioration of America, in whcih we've lost all leadership roles except in military strength--which obviously would be much less significant in a world in which the US is an also-ran.
In the piece, he writes of the destruction of the democratic party. It happens after we win the election of '08, with a candidate who's ultra-conservative and religious. What happens, essentially, is that the dems are unable to fix the myriad fuck-ups of the Bush admin, and wind up taking the blame. The party--not having stuck to its guns, but rather trying to "out-Jesus" and "out-Rove" the dirtbags on the right--implodes and dissolves.
Frighteningly, this seems exactly the path down which we are headed.
I believe that there ARE good democrats to choose from, but they're few and far between, and we're gonna have to behave a hell of a lot differently in '06 and '08, or we just might end up as exhibits nest to the dinosaurs up the road at the Museum of Natural History. And that would be a terrible shame.
LOL. I don't know. I'm not sure if Generals and Senators would take well to being grounded :)
To answer your question of who to vote for, Sen. Fiengold of Wisconsin is my favorite choice right now. You can check out his voting records for yourself but I'll tell you that he is the only Senator that has voted no on the Patriot act through every vote.
If you're looking for a second option, I have been impressed with Senator Barack Obama of Illinois. I don't know much about his voting record but he is strong in places that Democrats have been lacking in the past 10 years or so. He is an African American, which might help with the religious portion of the the African American communtiy that is slipping towards the right due to the prominance of religious issues in todays political climate. He is a powerful speaker and stands on a platform of moving forward as a whole nation which is traditionaly popular with voters. Whether he is my ideal choice or not he has alot going for him and may be our best chance at getting a nonRepublican in the White House. You may remeber him for giving him the best speach of the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
Moody
I think you're right about the Democratic party folding if they continue to try and ride the fence. I have to disagree about not trying to "out-Rove" them.
Democrats need to get together, get evil, and fight for the religious vote wihtout caving on key issues.
Here's and example of a way in which my last point might be achieved. A democratic candidate could say:
"I am against abortion. I think it is wrong, but I believe it is wrong because of my religious beliefs and as much as I would like to act on those beliefs, I have enough respect for our forefathers and those that don't hold my beliefs that I know it must remain a choice."
As far as a Democratic version of Rove is concerned, I think we need to get guys like James Carville back in the game. We need people that are willing to get shifty and shady with their spin to combat the likes of the Republican propaganda machine. We have Carville and guys like him to thank for the salad years of the Clinton administration, for with out him Billy boy never would have made it into office.
Moody
I have no problem with the idea of playing hardball. I don't think Carville ever pulled the kind of shit Rove did. I think that, like all good politicians, he used facts and circumstances to his advantage, and certainly he's a bully, but I don't think he lied or distorted anywhere close to the extent Rove has. Christ--look what they do to their own (ask John McCain.)
I'd rather lose than win on the strength of something like the Swift Boat Cowards--America is just too important to me.
Best regards,
Seth
R.E. Knowlton III
Now that you put it to me I don't mean Dems need to go as low as outting CIA agents married to Bush opponents. What I meant was that Democrats can't be affraid to get down and dirty.
If we on the left decide to take the moral high ground then while we may end up with our honor intact the repugs will still have control of the country.
Moody
I know that McCain and Fiengold came together for the whole campain finance reformthing but Fiengold is about as left as you can get and still be a Democrat. McCain, while brave enough to step outside of party bounds for certain issues, is still a social conservative (i.e. Pro-life, anti gay mariage, etc.) There's just to big a gap for them to make a viable ticket.
Whether or not you can tell by my writing, I am indeed one of the 20-30 percent. I am pretty far left so I have no trouble seeing our nation as divided down the middle.
I like the idea of Fiengold and Obama on the same ticket but, as much as it pains me to say it, I think in order for them to be succesful it would have to be Obama/Fiengold and not the other way around.
Moody
While we may all be disapointed with a majority of the people that have offered to represent us you rightwingers are in control. So, you may have legitimate beefs with your people, but at least they have proven capable enough to get elected and put themselves in a position to push things in a pseudo-conservative direction.
I agree that Obama is the most likely cnadidate for the Dems. He may be the most likable name in politics today. I would take him over any Repug but he is not my ideal candidate.
Moody
One of the reasons I prefer Fiengold to all of the Dems I can think of is because he is the most feerless left wing Congressman when it comes to taking a stand that may not be the most popular with moderates.
I am of the opinion that Dems are great big pussies when it comes to decenting on anything remotely related to national security. Having said that, I understand the logic behind voting yes on the Patriot Act. Come election time voting yes on the PA is a much place to be because you can then brag about how tough you are on terrorism. I think it's chicken shit pandering but there is some truth to the fact that you can't change anything unless you get elected.
Moody
That's about as clearly as it can be put.
Moody
Preach on, Brother Moody.
"I am prolife. And I am pro-life for one specific reason, I have a choice. Take away my choice as an american and I shall fight for the right's of women 'till I die."
You are absolutely correct about the dems not having a plan. Harry Reid is the Minority Leader because he out maneuvered his democratic colleagues, not because he's the best dem in the world. In fact, he's pro-life, supports the eveil mining indutry, gaming and has been endorsed by the NRA 'cause he likes them guns.
I also beleive it's not just the dems. Republicans are in some trouble too. The biggest problem for both parties is that the pool is shallow for good leaders. Neither party does a very good job of recruitment and grooming of our future leaders. Obama will do well if he has the patience.
Once comment you made to your blog was dead on. Vote in good people at the local level and hope it "trickles" up. Remember - All politics are local!
The Republicans may control things now but the Democrats have controlled congress for 40 of the last 50 years and it was no good then. When they put down pussy footing and pick up representation we will all be better off. They should all go back to their real jobs when they are done with a term or two and give it up to someone else willing to represent and be elected rather than get comfy in their lazy boy chairs mocking the people that elect them. Again that goes for both sides.
R.E. Knowlton III
Thanks for commenting on this issue. Your special insight is always welcome on any and all topics.
Moody
I just hope the people that could be our next inspirational leaders aren't chased out of politics by all the crap that one has to suffer through just to get elected. It's almost manditory to sell your ideals down the river if you want a legitimate shot at being elected. This lowest common denominator shit has got to go.
Moody
I'm all for real people taking over the reigns of the Government but Washington is such an old boys club that the cost of membership is too high for some one to make their way into the fold and then give it up when they just start to get the infrastructure in place to effect change.
Our Government has turned into a one that is for the people but by the people that were born into an aristocracy breeding program. How can most of these people claim to kow what we go through when the middle and lower classes are as alien to them as the red carpet is to us?
Moody
I think there are few idealists out there working for both parties. The problem is that, like the smart kid in trig. class, they get stepped on for ruining the curve for those that are willing to except the status quo.
Moody
I agree change takes time but if it were to be 6 years for each of them and they got three years for each term then had to go back and, this is the BIG one, people actually voted and were informed when they did so; then maybe, just maybe, change could happen. And they are not all good ol' boys - I would like to remind you of the late Paul Tsongas who is a prime example of good in action - but the eletists that are there are on both sides. When was the last time you got an invitation from Ted Kennedy to go yachting around the Vineyard?
R.E. Knowlton III
I didn't mean to give you the impression that I thought the aristocracy was limited ot the right side of the aisle. The Kennedy that was left alive (because he in no way posed the same threat that John and Robert did) is a prime example of the aristocracy that holds a large portion of the power in our country.
Moody
Moody
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you--just been swamped.
Anyway, in your last response to me, you said something along the lines that if we just take the moral highground the repugs will own the country.
Dude, they already own it. We sold it--cheap--it's been destroyed and I don't think it's ever getting fixed.
Take a look here on blogstream. Are you not shocked at the tons of fundamentalist conservative blogs here? I think this site may be a pretty good reflector of what the country actually looks like, and it has me very frightened.
For every blog like yours or mine, there are probably a dozen that have to do with the bible, the church, etc. These idiots are NOT voting anything but dirtbag republican (by that, I mean they'll not support the many reasonable republicans out there, either, such as Tom Kean or Chuck Hagel or Arlen Specter.) Uh uh--they're going for the dirt, the rich arisotcracy that will fuck them every imaginable way, but will quote Jesus while doing it--and that's all they need to hear.
Obama will never be president--sadly, he's the wrong color for this country to accept. It'll happen someday, but doubtfully in my lifetime (I'm 45.) Dean's finished, Kerry's a joke, Bayh's unknown, etc. Hillary is a disaster and, alarmingly, our frontrunner.
What to do?
Move to Canada, or start learning the Bible.
I like the part that reads:
God said to Abraham, "kill me a son",
Aba said "man, you must be putting me on."
God said "no."
Abe said "what??!!??"
God said, "you can do what you want, Abe, but
next time you see Me coming you'd better run."
Abe said, "well, where do you want this killing done?"
And God said, "down on Highway 61."
Best regards,
Seth
Just remember, once elected, the primary function of a politician is to get re-elected. Works for both side of the aisle. What ever you have to say and whoever you have to say it to. Don't get caught in a lie you can't lie your way out of.
Roadkill.
Every once in a while I wonder where my cynicism came from. :)
Moody
It's discouraging sometimes.