what are we doing wrong?

[mopaul]

maybe nothing in some people's minds, but we must look at the negative side, like it or not, we have the power to look at both sides, the other side doesn't.

in the spirit of figuring out what to do right, what are we doing wrong?

[goju]

1. Going soft?

Id say we have been soft, and are in constant danger of acquiescing (sp). We should remain on the attack, vigorously.

[deutsey]

2. One of our greatest strengths can also be our greatest weakness

Diversity, plurality...these principles of liberalism can bring together broad coalitions of different groups; as such, it also lacks an "authoritarian center" around which the other side coalesces. That center holds them together and provides direction with easy top-down answers, while our side believes in reaching mutually beneficial (but difficult to reach) consensus. The latter is of more value in terms of a healthier, more vibrant society, but the former "makes the trains run on time," as people always say about fascism.

This is an overly simplified summary, but that's what I basically believe.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. not sure what you mean by "we"

I assume you mean liberal Americans, and not Buscho, for that list would be too long to list on a message.

We liberals aren't pulling together with one strong message-I would say that this is our greatest failing. Don't get me wrong-I don't want liberals to be in lockstep with each other, like the repukes are-but I would think that some things, like having a plan to get out of Iraq and attacking the culture of corruption would be something every Democrat would be talking about. But you don't see this. You have appeasers like Lieberman and people who are interested only in their own political progress, like Hillary.

[meganmonkey]

4. I think 'we' (if you mean Dems/progressives) are relying too much

on the Repubs failure, rather than 'our' efforts at success. Granted, only so much success can be had by a party who holds no real congressional or executive power. But it is clear that the majority of Americans do NOT suuport the Repub agenda anymore, and we need to turn that into something positive for the country, rather than jsut watching the repukes go down in flames.

This is a broad statement, and I know that there are some good efforts being made by certain Dem congresspeeps on certain issues. But what I don't see is a concerted effort by the Dems as a whole on most issues of fundamental importance to the US population (jobs, schools, health care, etc).

They seem to be getting there on the war issue, better late than never. My opinion on the anti-war mood in the house/senate (thank you Murtha) is that they were very careful in waiting until a large majority of Americans were vocally pro-withdrawal, and they wanted to have a spokesperson who wouldn't be written off as a peacenik liberal, so in that way they succeeded there, although in the meantime countless people have died.

I am aware of the limitations on the dems right now, but I think they need to be much bolder and much less careful, if they actually get more shit done. I think most dems tend to be more worried about political prudence regarding future elections than doing what is right.

[Swamp Rat]

5. The squeaky mouse gets the cheese.

So let's squeak a little louder to our congresscritters.

[welshTerrier2]

6. list the problems Americans see

we always want peace and prosperity ...
our jobs are not secure ...
we worry about health care ...
there are concerns about affording the "golden years" and caring for elderly parents ...
our schools never seem to achieve excellence and we're lagging behind other countries in literacy rates and education
our roads get more and more crowded and our lives more and more hectic
we've lost faith in our news and information media
we see a country where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer
we see a country divided every which way
our political institutions are exploited for greedy, commercial gain
the election process is corrupt and inadequate
there is little or no citizen oversight of government
our air, water, national parks are all under attack
we are hopelessly dependent on burning fossil fuels
our legal system is badly broken
we are a nation too quick to go to war
we've lost the respect of the rest of the world
we've lost our idealism
we've lost our national soul
and welsh terrier puppies are in very short supply

so that's a partial list ... and where are the Democrats? do they have ideas on how to solve many of the above problems? perhaps they do ...

but ask yourself this: do you know exactly how they would go about really solving these problems? or do you just have a vague sense that they would be much better than the republicans or third parties? and even if you think Democrats have solutions to many of the above issues and could really make a difference if they were back in power, even knowing many of these problems existed while they were in power, do you believe most of the American public understands how Democrats would solve the problems we face?

Democrats need to be bolder ... they need to be clearer and more consistent with their message ... they need to fight like hell for real reforms, not centrist, wishy-washy compromises that inspire no one ... they need to understand that our systems and institutions have become so corrupted by greed and big money that our democracy is at risk ... they need to stop playing the political game and start fighting to help restore America's soul ... i'm still hopeful the Democratic Party will awaken to lead the nation in the right direction ... Democrats need to lay the foundation for the ideas they propose; that foundation has to start with the premise that we have lost our way; we no longer have the "revolutionary idealism" of our Founding Fathers ... carefully parsed political rhetoric and programs designed to fight for the political center lack soul; they provide no hope; they are a prescription for continued political weakness in a country whose problems only seem to grow larger and larger ...