Too Little, Too Late, by Robert Perry

[BJ]

(-snip-)
It is not an exaggeration to say today that the most powerful nation on earth is in the grip of an ideological administration – backed by a vast network of right-wing think tanks, media outlets and attack groups – that can neutralize any political enemy with smears, such as the Swift boat ads against John Kerry’s war record, or convince large numbers of people that clearly false notions are true, like Saddam Hussein’s link to the Sept. 11 attacks.

The outcome of Election 2004 also highlights perhaps the greatest failure of the Democratic/liberal side in American politics: a refusal to invest in the development of a comparable system for distributing information that can counter the Right’s potent media infrastructure. Democrats and liberals have refused to learn from the lessons of the Republican/conservative success.
(-snip-)
Plus, the evidence is that wealthy progressives still don't "get it." Even with Election 2004 looming, Air America, a promising AM radio network to challenge Rush Limbaugh and the right-wing talk radio monopoly, was hobbled by the refusal of rich liberals to invest in the venture. In a new book, Road to Air America, Sheldon Drobny, one of the network’s founders, describes his frustrating appeals to East and West Coast “limousine liberals” who didn’t want to engage in the project(emphasis added).
(-snip-)
Yet, instead of joining this ideological battle, the liberal/Democratic side largely divided up its money between do-good projects, such as buying up threatened wetlands, and spending on activism, such as voter registration and get-out-the vote drives. While there’s nothing wrong with these activities, the outcome of Election 2004 has demonstrated again that in an age of media saturation, street-level activism isn’t enough.
(-snip-)
Link to rest of essay by Robert Perry

I'm bummed, I'm down but we got to look at what we did well and not what went wrong. And I agree that progressive, liberals, Democrats or whoever believe that the the political philosophy represented by George W. Bush, Richard Viguerie, Rush Limbaugh and Richard Mellon Scaif is unAmerican and anti-democratic need to bring the fight to them. It's not the time to call pointless general strikes and withdraw. It's time to learn, like the Romans, from our adversaries and turn it against them.

[glitch]

1. Robert Parry

thanks for posting

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. I just don't get how much more we could fucking do

[BJ]

3. Don't think about it today. Let it rest. But think about it tomorrow.

And, please, read Robert Perry's essay. He's telling the truth.

[Gloria]

4. I don't think it's us. I think it's people with power and money failing

to help us by providing us with the tools the RW has...such as media, strong vocal leaders, etc.

Before Air America, little ieAmerica radio was being run by a union. They were running about $50,000 in the red each month. You would have thought someone like a Soros with deep pockets or the party could have helped that outlet. They were on more small stations than Air America, if I'm correct. Instead, the DNC spent millions on a studio in DC...nice, but all the while, ieAmerica was getting out the message every day. Peter Werbe, Mike Malloy, a good call in show, Nancy Skinner...that's where I found some respite...and then it was gone.

This sort of thing is unforgivable! They better wake up and realize that they can't let Air America fail, no matter what!

[MissMarple]

7. There are things we can do, but we need a way to do them.

The DLC and the DNC have been less than helpful. It is like they purposefully resist organizing in a focused, cohesive way. In a way they act like little chics who refuse to be herded, or to even come into the roost at night. Right now, Howard Dean seems to be the only light in the night. Although I'm guessing Kerry understands now what we need to succeed, as well. We need thinkers, money guys (even small donors), and some folks to point the way.

[Mabus]

5. Great article

I've been to busy lately to check in on the Perry Boys. Thanks for the reminder.

They kick ass.

[PATRICK]

6. Not to offend the good rich people

but they don't make natural liberals to begin with. All too many are as selfish in their ideology as the other side, but investing against the system that upholds extraordinary wealth and false elitism is less natural or effective than Schaife buying lies and goons.

And our dependence on any of the breed is unhealthy to begin with. No liberalism in the situation itself. If Move On could exist by itself and mature a little it should try it without the donors or do something else altogether.

Like people depending on the entitlement of Food Stamps and government aid the principle is nice. The reality bites and can easily change in a breeze. We are enslaved by the self styled elites and the dependence grows as we in horror realize it is not the American dream we feel closing in around us!

Of course Marx was a naive idealist too. The simple answer won't be easy.
Or guaranteed. Or dominant. Or acknowledged in the national forums.

I think we have to tie more and more people together at the grass roots. We talked about it, did some, but it was not nearly close to what the crisis demands. Too much temporary fun and games. The emotional input is not matched by effective action. It feels damned silly somehow. There was a border to cross and we tried to storm it with enthusiasm and energy. We got massacred, figuratively this time.

[MissMarple]

8. I think we need to come at it from both ends using all our resources.

Waste not, want not. :shrug:

And there are good people who happen to be wealthy would can be of service. Many of them know where their wealth came from and understand their best bet in keeping it is to keep the door open so that all Americans can prosper. A large and prosperous middle class is what is best for the economy overall. What better way to invest in America?