It comes down to one simple question.

[MadHound]

If the Dems aren't going to fight for me, for you, hell, for their own goddamn political hides, why should I fight for them?

Once again today, the Dems demonstrated their amazing form and grace in the Synchronized Senate Cave In. The have amply demonstrated their ability to take a winning issue, a popular issue, an issue that would make them look good in the eyes of the American voter and yank it right off the table. As with the public option, a stimulus bill with more stimulus and less tax cuts, and much more recently, repeal of DADT, the Democratic Party decided that they would rather quit than fight.

I admit, I would frankly like to see all the tax cuts expire, and use that money that we safe to fund a true, WPA style jobs program. But more than that, I want to see the Dems come out swinging. This hasn't happened in a decade, and quite frankly if they don't start fighting soon, the American public is going to dismiss them as gutless wonders and move on.

The reality of the matter is that the Dems were once again handed the perfect opportunity, and they blew it. So again I ask, why should I fight for them if they're not even going to fight for themselves?

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[Starry Messenger]

9. lol, I wish the software would put that in instead of "ignored" for all of my ignores. n/t

[ThomCat]

23. I agree. Everyone who tells any democrat to stop being a democrat

because of disappointment with the party is participating in the bad attitude that had ruined this party.

We need this party to grow a spine and start representing issues, instead of being a closed little group of people who are only concerned with winning the election for the sake of winning the election, and then winning the next one.

We need all these people who say, "so go vote republican" to start acting like they want other people in the democratic party too, not just as quite, loyal voters who shut up unless they are cheering, but as real fellow democrats with democratic opinions. Because, quite frankly, just because they support politicians in office doesn't mean they are the ones acting like democrats. They're the ones acting exactly like the republicans were acting a few years ago.

They ones they are telling to go vote somewhere else are the ones representing real ideas, not just politicians.

There are a few of them that I respect, despite the name calling, because I know they get out there in the field and actually do something. They actually volunteer and put some work into what they say. But most of them are all insult, all words, and nothing more than keyboard commandos.

A hell of a lot of the people they belittle and say should go vote somewhere else are core activists, people with histories of really representing issues in real ways. You would think these are people the part would WANT.

Unfortunately, we have seen over and over and over again that our party doesn't really want to accomplish anything. Our party has no spine. our party has no goals. Our party likes to cave in and say "well, at least we tried."

As long as the corporate donations are coming in, and the corporate donors are getting what THEY WANT, none of the other issues are really important. It's okay if all the other issues fail, because they are all just for show anyway, to try to convince voters that the party still represents them, when it fact the party doesn't, and hasn't for years.

[derby378]

3. Wrong answer...

The correct answer is that we need to elect Dems who act like Dems, not just any ol' candidate who has a "D" next to his or her name. That's why primaries are so important.

[hendo]

6. However, the only way to get out an incumbent congressman

is to get the opposition in for a term, or bring them down with a scandal and force them to resign.

[derby378]

15. I know...

...but Connecticut Dems came close with Ned Lamont in 2006. Lieberman was willing to run against a Democrat after the primaries in order to hold on to that seat. Burns me up even today.

[ThomCat]

24. And yet our party welcomed Lieberman back,

caucuses with him despite his repeated ongoing betrayals, and still lets him keep his seniority and perks.

It boggles the mind that we REWARD that ass for betraying us.

He should get nothing from our party. :grr:

[derby378]

37. Boggles the mind, doesn't it?

:mad:

[SidDithers]

10. +1...nt

Sid

[MadHound]

13. You just don't get it.

The Democratic Party is dying for some enthusiasm this election cycle, voters are discouraged and disheartened. Their base is shaky and futures in independent votes are running short. The Dems need to do something, anything to inject a little life into their schtick.

This was that perfect opportunity, the chance to force the 'Pugs onto the floor of the Senate, right before an election, and filibuster tax cuts that the overwhelming majority of the voting public wants. Life on CSPAN, CNN, MSNBC, 24/7. Hell, do a split screen with Obama, Biden, Reid, hammering home that message that "We, the Democrats want to help you while the Republicans only want to help the rich." It's a winner, it's a sure fire five point bump for Democrats from sea to shining sea, in a year when a five point bump could very well mean the difference between the Dems being in the majority or minority in Congress. It is the ultimate GOTV card.

And they blew it.

This isn't whining, this is full out pissed off, These idiots up there on Capital Hill are jumping all over the left for lacking in enthusiasm, for being too critical, for being too demanding. Yet when the rubber meets the road, they lack the guts to stand up and fight. Sorry, that just doesn't cut it.

You can snivel your little insults about third party and what have, but when it comes right down to it, people in this country are only going to stand with a political organization that will at least stand up for itself. If the Dems aren't going to do that, then they have absolutely no business demanding that others stand up in their stead.

[foxfeet]

16. Ah, yes; the STFU Brigade got in early on this one.

[Touchdown]

17. The internet's a good place to be a tough guy, isn't it?

A lot less chances to get your face punched.:hi:

[VMI Dem]

19. The same brigade of assholes are allowed to post these attacks constantly.

Fuck 'em.

[hendo]

4. John Stewart was right

the country is run by a**holes!

[LAGC]

5. Democrats do have a habit of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

(Or does that go the other way around?)

In any case, it would be nice if more of them put their reputations on the line and weren't afraid to really STAND for something, and worked to embarass/disgrace the minority opposition into acquiescence, instead of caving in all the time. If they just took a position and STOOD THEIR GROUND, a lot of independents would vote for them just for showing some spine. Instead, the Republicans get that honor, for sticking to their principles.

[hendo]

7. It's what our leadership specializes in

why try for success when we can go down in a blaze of glory?

[G_j]

8. voting is easy

Though I won't be campaigning for my Blue dog.

[jillan]

11. That was really really stupid on their part BUT I will continue to fight for them because

I don't want the Republican Tea Baggers in charge.

I don't want the next two years being wasted while the rw wackos look for a way to impeach Obama - because you KNOW that's all that will happen, they already said that.

Thanks but no thanks - I'm sticking with the pansy-assed Dems.

[HughBeaumont]

12. For me, it's all about someone having the gumption to ask this question of this admin:

"Why is Corporate America apparently dictating all of our vital policies and what will this Administration, which billed itself as that of "Change" and a reversal of the disastrous Bush Administration, do to let working and unemployed Americans know that's not the case? I want you to be one hundred percent HONEST when you answer this, by the way."

[MadHound]

18. Thank you! Perhaps you and I should go to DC and ask that very question.

Somehow I doubt that we would anywhere close enough to anybody in the administration to ask it however. The answer would be too revealing for it to be spoken by anybody in DC.

[ProSense]

14. "Dems were once again handed the perfect opportunity, and they blew it."

You don't know what the outcome of the elections will be, but mid-terms are a longshot at best. FDR succeed in his first term aided by the Depression and a small group of the very small Republican minority. Bush rode 9/11 to success.

[MadHound]

21. Yeah I know the odds are long, but damnit, at least put up a fight!

This would have been a great, grand GOTV moment, in an election year when they need to get the vote out greatly and grandly. Instead they're once again sidling off to their districts with their tails tucked, and whining about how the left isn't energized.

Who would you rather stand with when the shit is hitting the fan, somebody who fights or somebody who runs? The Dems are running, running far, running fast.

[LAGC]

22. The point is, it doesn't have to be that way!

History doesn't have to repeat itself! We could break this cycle, if we just gave the incumbents' base a reason to be as motivated as the opposition are!

[ProSense]

26. "We could break this cycle"

Vote. The mid-terms are rarely about policy nuances (it's for or against health care), and most of the candidates have no Congressional record. They're running on rhetoric.

Everyone claims to understand that this is about turnout, but a lot of people are still trying to blame Democrats for motivation that they need to find in themselves.

Republicans are motivated for one reason, taking control. Democrats need to be motivated to defend their majorities.

There are a lot of things Democrats agree on, but they're never going to agree on everything. Blue dogs are going to do what they need to do to win. A voter in a true blue state/district shouldn't be looking at the actions of a Democrat in a red state/district for reasons to feel depressed, and that is exactly what is happening.

There has to be some acknowlegdment of reality: Every Democrat in the Senate voted for the DISCLOSE Act and it still failed to pass. The Senate is broken, but that's not what the election is about.

Beyond rhetoric, that's definitely not what it's about for Republicans.

[asdjrocky]

20. It couldn't work better if it was planned.

It's a huge game between the two major parties with he politicians and big money the only winners, and the American people, the only losers.

I'm really at a point where it's hard to believe half of them care if they are re-elected or not.

Makes me sick to think I ever gave a dime or a minute of my time to any of these people.

[Jack Sprat]

25. You will be reviled and hated for what you say,

but the force is with you MadHound. Truth is hard to handle for the multitudes, but I respect the honesty of your argument. After seeing what I've seen from this bluedog bunch, a principled minority would be an improvement. I'd seriously like to see the Nelson's, Lincoln, and Feingold unseated and stripped of their garments and forced to give their brains to lab mice awaiting transplants.

[K8-EEE]

27. I'm not sure they've blown it

I like the idea of putting up a tax cut for the middle class and proposing this one expire.

Do what you want but IMO it's cutting off your nose to spite your face. I don't want the teabaggers in charge thank you.

I'll vote Dem and keep working on them. And I am grateful for what they've been able to accomplish, btw, it's made a big difference for us.

My daughter won't be kicked off our insurance when she graduates next year. Yeah. I want more Demmy type Dems but I SURE as hell don't want the Repukes "repealing Obamacare" cuz we will be paying huge ripoff Cobra!!

[K8-EEE]

28. I'm not sure they've blown it

I like the idea of putting up a tax cut for the middle class and proposing this one expire.

Do what you want but IMO it's cutting off your nose to spite your face. I don't want the teabaggers in charge thank you.

I'll vote Dem and keep working on them. And I am grateful for what they've been able to accomplish, btw, it's made a big difference for us.

My daughter won't be kicked off our insurance when she graduates next year. Yeah. I want more Demmy type Dems but I SURE as hell don't want the Repukes "repealing Obamacare" cuz we will be paying huge ripoff Cobra!!

[dgibby]

29. I'm too tired and demoralized to fight for them,

but I will vote for them, mostly because I don't want to live in a Nation under Talibornagain rule, and that's where we're heading if the GOP gets into power again. I have no desire to live in a Theocracy.

[MadHound]

30. kick n/t

[Toots]

31. They did not have the votes, and knew if they failed right before the election

it would be far worse for them....You can thank people like Ben Nelson instead of blaming the Democrats. I refuse to call him one even if some think he is one..

[olegramps]

35. Yes, that is the real problem. Blue-dogs have to be replaced by real Democrats.

[MadHound]

36. They had the votes to pass it,

They would be four short of breaking a filibuster. You don't think that after a few days of pounding from the bully pulpit the Dems wouldn't get those four votes, you're crazy.

That is what a filibuster is for, the last tactic for changing the minds of recalcitrant Senators, and it works pretty well. It might have taken awhile, but no Senator, going into an election season, wants to be seen as one of the Senators who blocked legislation that would help the middle class. Especially when it comes to legislation that is the traditional purview of Republicans.

[TBF]

32. Recommended. nt

[mmonk]

33. I can only fight the worst in America, even if I have no true representation.

I hope some day soon to get my sons situated in Canada. Canada has a higher standard of living, health care access, a stable banking system, and laws not subject to the winds of politics.

[lunatica]

34. They're doing exactly as planned

Why we keep forgetting that they can understand the issues just as well as we can is pretty astounding. If they don't fight it's because that's what their plan is.

End of story. No matter how much we think if we just push them enough or explain the problem to them enough they'll finally see the light, that's not the problem. The problem is if they wanted progress it would be made already.

The fifth stage of grief is acceptance of things as they are and coming up with a strategy to deal with it. Why aren't we there yet? Why should a bunch of fat cats who are being fed caviar and lobster by the lobbyists do anything that might piss them off? Their future is secure with the wealth they're getting and being promised.