What We're Up Against

[Mythsaje]

Government dominated by powerful special interest groups. Government ruled by those who don't think anything's wrong with exporting high-paying jobs to countries that would just as happily use slave labor to get the job done.

And that's not even the tip of the iceberg.

We've got Democrats running for President who can't tell the difference between high-paid energy industry lobbyists and volunteers from the Sierra Club and Greenpeace.

We've got Democratic candidates who don't see anything wrong with "business as usual" in Washington. Candidates who seem to think it's possible to work hand in hand with the very party that's been doing everything in its power to destroy everything Democrats stand for, who believe that "bipartisanship" is still possible after the last fifteen years of venom and vitriol.

We've got Democrats voting to give Bush the power to go after Iran the same way he did Iraq. We've got Democrats who can't see how dangerous ANY Attorney General pick from Bush might be.

We've got Democrats who seem oblivious to the class war that's been fought from the top down since the Reagan era, with them doing their level best to dismantle all the New Deal safety net, who are unwilling or unable to answer back those who would grind us all down to nothing.

We've got Democrats who aren't NEARLY suspicious enough of the RW agenda, who actually rely on Republican rhetoric or framing to make their case in primary debates.

We've got dozens and dozens of DU posters who don't seem to get it either...that it's VITAL that Americans hear and grasp the populist message one candidate in particular is touting. It's been resonating in Iowa--enough so that his poll numbers are coming within striking range of candidates outspending him by staggering amounts.

But it seems entirely too many people are unable to grasp the nature of the battle before us, grasp the depths of deception to which the corporate media will stoop in order to influence those who aren't involved in debates regarding the issues every single day. They ignore Kucinich, and slam Edwards, and too many people here just stand by, or, worse, pile on with their interpretations of the same kind of bullshit.

Hey, man, whatever floats your boat. But when we look back in five or ten years, don't say you weren't warned.

This is a battle for America and the world. And one we're going to lose if we give the corporatists a pass yet again.

I, for one, have no intention of doing that.

[The Traveler]

1. Damn well said

Pardon me if I find it absolutely necessary to recommend this post.

[JeffR]

2. Exactly!

:kick:

[Genevieve]

3. k and r! /nt

[bonito]

4. K&R

[earth mom]

5. Clinton & Obama have proven they are NO different than the rethugs on the other side of the aisle.

They are telling people EXACTLY who they are, but people are refusing to listen for whatever selfish reasons.

Actions speak louder than words people!

I don't see either Clinton or Obama doing ANYTHING to challenge the status quo put in place by * & Co! :puke:

FYI:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBo4E77ZXo

[Mythsaje]

6. I've said it before. I think Clinton's about the status quo.

I don't necessarily believe this about Obama, but I think he underestimates the lengths the RW will go to in order to pursue their agenda. He believes bipartisanship is possible in this environment and I believe he's wrong.

I know both Edwards and Kucinich get it, but DK, for all his progressive credentials, isn't resonating with enough voters to gain any traction. Edwards is--assuming the corporate media whores don't manage to sink him because he's coming across as (rightfully) "angry."

[Triana]

7. the lamestream media...

..I hate them with a passion. They DO ignore Kucinich and Edwards (or slam them) all the while reporting glowingly about Hillary and Obama.

HELLOOOOOOOOO! There are more than TWO candidates out there! :wtf:

Edwards and Kucinich are my two fave candidates. I'm dreaming of an Edwards/Kucinich ticket.

[Mythsaje]

8. That would be a good ticket. Damn good.n/t

[DCKit]

9. Sure they can tell the difference....

Volunteers for environmental causes don't show up with wads of cash. You silly.

[Tellurian]

10. Take a look at John Edwards Senate Record

Edwards had six long years to show he was a defender of the People. His Senate record is one of the worst records of any Democratic Senator. Edwards lobbied hard for the Iraq War. He co-sponsored the Iraq War Resolution. Denigrating anyone not supporting the war as putting the Nation's Security at risk.. His record on pushing for the vote on Trade with China. Edwards siding with the interests of credit card companies mandating and insisting debtors must pay back debt in spite of filing for Bankruptcy. For 6 yrs Edwards fought against Universal Health Care, now he's supporting it. Edwards voted to transport Nuclear Waste to Yucca Mt. in spite of the risks to local families having a high incidence rate of children dying from Leukemia.

Edwards has sided with the Republicans on more important issues than with the Democrats. Edwards voting record is a disgrace to the Democrats that voted him into office. If the issues listed above aren't enough of an indication of casting a vote for the wrong man for the highest office in the land, than I don't know what is.

[Mythsaje]

13. The message trumps the messenger.

The American people need to hear and understand the stakes of the game RIGHT NOW. They're sure not hearing it from YOUR candidate. We already know what to expect from her, and it sure as hell isn't what will drag us back from the brink. It's more of the same with a different animal mascot on the branding iron.

He's America's best chance of not only hearing what it needs to hear, but the best chance of turning the tide away from the dangerous course we're on.

It's as simple as that.

[Tellurian]

14. Theres NO contest.. just match their senate records

together and Edwards comes out as a flim/flam RW shilling artist that has more gall than brains, thinking he's going to get away with all the damage he's done while in the Senate. Edwards public record is right out of the RW playbook!

You can see here how Edwards runs from taking responsibility from his prior senate votes. He's been shamed by Kucinich and will continue to be so every chance we get, until the public understand what a ruthless, self-serving, CHARLATAN John Edwards is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEkHr-fvoN4

[Mythsaje]

16. Bullshit.

I've seen his ratings--which equal or beat Hillary's.

Keep spinning, bub. Maybe you'll invent anti-gravity.

[Tellurian]

17. Show Me!

[Mythsaje]

18. I don't have to show you shit.

They've been posted here innumerable times and I know DAMN well you've seen them.

[Tellurian]

19. Link or Slink!

No, I haven't seen any Progressive* agreeing with what Edwards has voted for.

Maybe, you can step out of fantasyland long enough, and back up your big talk!

[mtnsnake]

20. Compared to most Dems, including Hillary, Edwards "progressive" Senate voting record was awful

I love it, though, how he's all of a sudden supposed to be taking on this new and exciting role as a progressive, when his own past record proves he is anything but that. In fact, over the course of his career, he was one of the more right-leaning Democrats in the Senate while he was in office. Only until the year leading up to the 2004 Primaries did he start realizing what a mistake it was to ignore the political left of the Party like he did previously. No wonder so many Democrats don't trust him. They realize that his colors will change if he gets the nod and he'll move back toward the center or to the right of it again for purposes of competing in the general election. This Mr Progressive charade is nothing but an obvious attempt to suck up to the base of our party during the Primaries.

[no_hypocrisy]

11. We have a choice: This is either temporary or permanent.

How much will we risk for to prevent the latter?

[Perry Logan]

12. And yet Hillary rates highly among progressive groups. Are they out to lunch?

The following are polls from progressive groups, rating Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, on how often they vote for progressive issues. For each group, http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/011142.php

Clinton Vs. Barack Obama (progressivepunch)
Overall Progressive Score: 92% 90%
Aid to Less Advantaged People at Home and Abroad: 98% 97%
Corporate Subsidies 100% N/A
Education, Humanities and the Arts 88% 100%
Environment 92% 100%
Fair Taxation 97% 100%
Family Planning 88% 80%
Government Checks on Corporate Power 95% 97%
Healthcare 98% 94%
Housing 100% 100%
Human Rights & Civil Liberties 82% 77%
Justice for All: Civil and Criminal 94% 91%
Labor Rights 91% 91%
Making Government Work for Everyone, Not Just the Rich or Powerful 94% 90%
War and Peace 80% 86%

[polichick]

15. That's why it's the perfect time for a strong Indie candidate to step in...

What an opening!