Note to President Obama and Democrats in Congress:

[AndyA]

You weren't elected to appease Olympia Snowe.

You weren't elected to waste time reaching across the aisle, to be snubbed every time by the Republicans.

You weren't elected to protect the interests of the big corporations, which are full of people who all have the right to vote and pick up the phone and call their elected representatives. Their interests will be represented, you don't need to bend over backwards to accommodate them.

You weren't elected to not do as the people want. (Hint: The people want a strong public option. Period. No triggers, No opt ins, opt outs, or anything else. Keep it simple. Medicare E will be fine.)

We are watching you. We are tired of being manipulated, lied to, and taken advantage of. We can and will vote you out if you don't do what we want you to do.

The MAJORITY of the American people are backing this. Do you REALLY want to go against their wishes? Remember 2006 and 2008, it can happen again with all new people next time.

[FiveGoodMen]

1. If we really want to force any decent behavior out of our own party

We've got to be willing and determined to dump them if they betray us.

Primaries first, of course, but after that no money and no votes -- you heard me! -- if they fuck with us.

It's the only chance we have of getting a representative democracy back. Right now, they just don't care what we want.

[inna]

2. Unfortunately, we have nowhere else to go.

Voting Republican is not an option, voting third party is highly unlikely to get us anywhere.

What to do?? :banghead:

[AndyA]

4. We start cleaning house whenever and wherever we can.

Perhaps we find the worst offender and pool donations to get them out of office. Then we tell the rest of them: YOU'RE NEXT IF YOU DON'T START VOTING AND ACTING LIKE A DEMOCRAT.

Look what happened to the guy opposing Mr. You Lie! How much did he get in donations within 48 hrs. of that remark? (A lot.) WE CAN DO IT. One at a time, if necessary, but the rest will get the message.

It's the only way to FORCE change on them. Obviously, they aren't going to do it on their own.

[FiveGoodMen]

5. That's what I'm talking about, though...

No sense going out to vote for a puke, but if you want Dems to act like we think they should, then you have to be willing to vote third party or not at all -- even if that gets a puke elected.

The only alternative is to play out that graphic in your post forever.

They've always got the left locked up because there's nowhere else to go.

The only move left is to tell them to fuck off and damn the consequences -- and mean it -- if they don't do the right thing.

Seriously. It's that or the abyss.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. +1