Maybe Blind Allegiance In A Perfect Storm is Not The Best Position

[getdown]

We have a new year and new laws. We have an incumbent President who needs our votes and a SCOTUS that decides our votes don't count. Republicans have no viable candidate; only blind allegiance will give them votes.

More empty homes than there are homeless. State law allowing illegal immigrants to apply for college grants. Families who can't put food on the table if there is one. Everyone's hurting, everything's tight, very close to brother against brother, in a time of global economic war.

Men and women returning from bogus wars brain-damaged and worse.

OWS. Election year. Burst bubbles. Incumbent president. Rodent republicans. Global unrest. Online news sources. New creative communities.

A perfect storm?

Maybe NOW is the time to constructively criticize our political leaders, guide them, pressure them, give them the cover they need. The people lead; the leaders follow.

Or the day comes when constructively criticizing leaders makes you a "terrorist."

[msongs]

1. must not criticize "leaders" or you will be disappeared or murdered by drones without trial nt

[getdown]

2. or turned

into a giant insect?

[HappyMe]

5. And then eaten by Godzilla.

[one_voice]

6. Wait...what?

that happened?

[Autumn]

3. Recommended for truth, but I disagree with NOW being the perfect time.

It is always time to constructively criticize our political leaders, guide them, pressure them, the people lead; the leaders follow. And if the leaders can't follow they need to get the fuck out of the way.

[getdown]

4. well put.

[Donnachaidh]

8. I disagree -- now IS the perfect time

Because the election is in the offing. If there isn't a response we want to hear NOW, do you really think there will be much if any listening later, when there is no longer a threat of losing a cushy job?

Quite frankly, I don't buy into the *give him another 4 years and he'll do everything we want him to do" nonsense. WE need to be the ones holding the matches under the feet *before* the wait till I get my pension and my speaking fees mode switches on.

How many unemployed americans have to sweat a job interview each and every day NOW because of this non-recovery economy? Time to *share the pain*.

We ARE the 99%!

[getdown]

13. well put!!

OWS is one thing. There needs to be more sharing about how much people are hurting and/or community building around solutions, IMHO Everything feels a bit too "normal." How can that be?

[Autumn]

16. I agree with you but as far as I am concerned

the time to criticize, guide, and pressure him was from the day he won the election. Quite frankly as I see it, after he is reelected why would he bother to change direction? He will do what he wants, just like he has so far. He get's his pension and speaking fees and book deals no matter what.

[getdown]

17. people are hurtin!!

waiting til Nov to see any hope or change is wishful thinking

fighting over candidates when there's no work/food/health is a luxury

[Autumn]

18. Yes, the people are hurting.

But do the ones we count on to look out for the vulnerable care? I can't remember when the poor were mentioned last. A lot of people can't hold out til November.

[getdown]

19. exactly

good posts, thanks

[getdown]

7. I'd like to ask

Dems why I should think my vote will be counted

[maggiesfarmer]

9. "More empty homes than there are homeless" -- really?

[getdown]

10. good question

http://www.democraticunderground.com/100299914

[maggiesfarmer]

11. wow, looks like it

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-02-12-vacancy12_N.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessness_in_the_United_States

depending on how you count homeless, you could report a > 10:1 ratio here

[getdown]

14. thank you!

[FarLeftFist]

12. Occupy your congressmen's emails.

[getdown]

15. good call

gotta good link/s?