Democrat or Republican: Time to Get in their Faces
Many people have been discussing the recent FISA fiasco which has taken America one further step away from democracy and torn yet another hole in the doncument that DEFINES America, our Constitution. I can practically hear Patrick Henry's rage and George Washington's sad disapproval.
Let's keep one fact firmly in mind before we discuss the Democrats: the erosion of American civil liberties, the destruction of our defining document, the Constitution, and the betrayal of our founding fathers' dream for America, has been led by Bush, the bulk of the Republican Party, and that Benidict Arnold, Joe Lieberman. Most of the blame for this crap is squarely on the Republicans.
Most...
But not all.
And therein is a massive problem for those of us who want to fight against the destruction of American democracy. We don't have too many choices in how to fight. As I recently outlined, the Republicans are actively attacking America's very foundations: the Constitution, our economy, our national security. Being an independent or Green or whatever other nobody flash in the pan is tantamount to having no role in how our nation is run whatsoever. Political insignificance, the path of the independent, the Libertarian, the Green, the apathetic...that is doing nothing but abandoning American democracy to destruction at the hands of the Republicans. Like it or not, that is what it is.
Which leaves us with the Democrats. And sadly, though, as I have proudly explained before, the Democrats CAN do great things, right now the Democrats have failed us.
But that isn't quite accurate, and it is critical to keep that in mind. It isn't the majority of Democrats who have failed us. It is some 57 SPECIFIC Democrats who failed us.
And, to quote a recent dKos diary, "Enough Already with the Pathetic Excuses!" There is NO EXCUSE for ANYONE in Congress, Democrat OR Republican, to further erode our civil liberties. Unlike some around here, I recognize getting us out of Iraq is a process and we have been moving, slowly I admit, in the right direction. Impeachment needs more work, but I expect slow progress on that. Hoping for MORE progress on that, but the impeachment of Nixon took awhile to take off, too.
But more abandonment of the Constitution? No! To the 57 Democrats who joined the Republicans in attacking America: ENOUGH WITH THE PATHETIC EXCUSES! You are NOT protecting America. Enough already. Enough. You are HURTING America. The Republicans and those 57 Democrats are SURRENDERING American democracy to Muslim extremists. Bush, the bulk of the Republican Party and those 57 Democrats are letting their fear of terrorism defeat America.
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
--Benjamin Franklin
We should tatoo that on the foreheads of every single politician who supported the Bush/Republican FISA fiasco. We should FORCE every single one of them to get that tatooed on their heads...in the name of national security, because if we lose the Constitution to fear, we lose the war against the terrorists.
But I am not one to just yell, or give up. Nor am I one who will blame all Democrats for what 57 Democrats did. Most Democrats voted against it...yet it still passed. So what do we do?
I have two suggestions.
The first suggestion I am taking from another disgruntled dKos diary:
This diary begins by saying that primary Challenges are a weak response. Although I believe a lot can be accomplished in primaries if more people paid attention, in genral I agree. Don't look to the next election to get busy. Just get busy now. The author of this diary has some excellent suggestions for those who are pissed as hell. They essentially boil down to on't get angry. Don't get even. Get busy. Here are her specific and very powerful suggestions:
What else can we do?
* Go to town halls. Make your voice heard as a constitutent
* Schedule regular constituent meetings with staff and representatives wherever you are.
* Schedule lobbying trips to DC to discuss at length the issues that matter.
* Create our own legislation, like Energize America and find sponsors.
* Create focused media events LOCALLY, addressing specific positions of your representatives, to appear in the local media.Two examples:
In Buffalo a year or so ago, a small group of people scheduled a series of events on Net Neutrality, specifically requesting that Chuck Shumer take a position, and planned a rally and invited the media. i think they did it at his local office, or at a local event he was appearing at. At any rate, before the event happened, Shumer came out with a position, supporting the group. In the end the rally became a thank you, instead. The group gave him ample warning and made many requests. The pressure worked. Not everything will be that easy, but if we're smart and focused enough, it'll wear down, it'll work. I can tell you one thing for sure, it'll work a LOT better than ALL DEMOCRATS SUCK! I'M NOT PARTICIPATING ANY MORE. Why did this one work? It was focused, it was specific, it was local.
Also, another Buffalo group that was focusing on housing issues spray-painted a picture of Governor Pataki on all the abandoned houses in town that a company that Pataki had dealings with owned and were sitting on, letting rot and damage neighborhoods and communities. They did lots of media events, lots of lobbying and collaborating with other elected officials. They hit ALL ANGLES. And they're making progress. They got money from Pataki, thanks to all these pressure points, to start dealing with some of the housing issues. It wasn't everything they needed but it was a significant step forward that wouldn't have happened with out targeted pressure. Embarrassment can work. Also, hitting multiple angles. Focused action.
And she ends with something most of us forget...and forget at our peril, as I will highlight at the end of this diary:
Listen, this shit is hard work. I understand people's frustration, but if we really want things to change, we gotta get focused and be willing to think and change course and strategize.
That is my first suggested course of action: Get Fucking Busy and Get in Their Faces! Democrat or Republican, call them, ask for an appointment. Call every day if you have to. Meet with them. Call them again. FAX them. Get your friends and family doing the same. Call them again. Ask for another appointment. Organize a local group to keep on calling them and getting in their faces.
That is the first thing to do.
The second is to focus attention more on organizations that are pulling the Democrats back to traditional, progressive American values rather than staying focused on the Democratic Party itself.
But first let me say that some Democrats in Congress deserve, and need, our help more than ever. Recently I set up a "Freshman Allstar" list. This was a list of Democratic freshmen Congressional Reps. who are being targeted by Karl Rove who have to date shown considerable leadership on progressive issues. Let me go on record right now that every single person I chose for my Freshman Allstars list voted AGAINST the Republican led attack on our Constitution. Every one of them. This is why I still stand up for the Democrats as a whole: because in the Democratic Party there are some EXCELLENT men and women and if we attack the party as a whole, then we are abandoning our best allies.
So let me once again highlight the Freshmen Allstars, who CONTINUE to show excellent leadership on practically every issue that matters to most of us, and hence are going to be heavily targeted by Republicans in 2008. You want Democratic spine? Show your support for these men and women who genuinely SHOW spine. THESE are the people we want representing us, so let's let them know that. This can be one of the best ways to influence Congress: support those who DO vote the way you like.
But in general, I say it is time to focus less on the Democratic Party per se, and to volunteer and donate far MORE to those groups who push a true, American progressive agenda on issues like Iraq, impeachment, clean elections, minimum wage, marriage equality, environment, civil liberties...etc. Give time and money to the groups that have organized around the agendas that matter to you. This is another part of fighting hard: strengthening the infrastructure that we have really just barely gotten up and running. With this in mind, I give you a new list of mine, highlighting NOT candidates, but America's Progressive Organizations. (For those who wonder, people DO donate to my Act Blue lists. To date I have collected more than $3000 towards the 2008 elections.)
I choose organizations like Stem Cell Action and Clean Water Action that focus on issues, I choose organizations like Mainstream Moms Operation Blue and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America PAC which are spearheading the fight to get us out of Iraq, I highlight organizations like South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families that are fighting for a woman's right to choose, and I highlight Democracy for America and it's offshoots that have revitalized, to some degree, the left thanks to Howard Dean's leadership. Fed up with the slow progress in Congress? These are the organizations that have given the grassroots an infrastructure that has started to make them effective for once. Let's make them MORE effective.
Republicans remain a threat to our democracy. Political insignificance is plain dumb. Some Democrats deserve our whole hearted support because THEY are doing what we elected them for. But mostly, we need to focus on fighting harder, louder and more on message than ever. And it will take time and effort.
Here is a dKos diary describing one person who confronted one of those Democrats who voted against democracy on the FISA issue at a Town Hall meeting. THIS is what we need to be doing. The experience was frustrating for the Kossack who confronted him, but make no mistake: I guarantee that the confrontation made an impact on the audience AND on the Senator. If it is an isolated event, then it will mean little. If it happens again...and again...and again...then it will have an impact. I had a similar confrontation, in the company of a couple of dozen MoveOn.org activists, with a staff member of Chuck Schumer's over the first $87 billion Congress approved for Bush's illegal war. The confrontation we had DID make an impression. Sadly, those of us who participated allowed it to be an isolated incident. That was our mistake. And, too often, it is the mistake we ALL make. We need to make MORE phone calls and make appointments with our Congressional staff and attend town hall meetings. Confront the bastards who can't muster the spine to stand up to Bush. And confront the Republican bastards who are LEADING the attack on American democracy. Confront them ALL, Dem and Repub, on our Constitutional rights. Confront them ALL, Dem and Repub alike, about getting us out of Iraq. To quote the one, single good thing Ron Paul has said, "just bring them home now." And confront them all, Dem and Repub, on impeachment. Does American stand for the rule of law or arbitrary, authoritarian rule by the President?
Don't give up the fight. INTENSIFY the fight. That is my answer.
Remember:
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
--Benjamin Franklin
And:
Listen, this shit is hard work. I understand people's frustration, but if we really want things to change, we gotta get focused and be willing to think and change course and strategize.
Let's get busy.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
Activism | Constitution | Democracy | FISA | Congress
Freshamn list
Submitted by mole333 on 9 August 2007 - 10:18pm.
In particular I have had some personal contact (or at least campaign contact) with John Hall, Dave Loebsack, and Jerry McNerney. All three are exceptional people who came straight from the grassroots. All of them had been written off by the DCCC and mainstream media, but heavily supported by groups like Democracy for America. I know some people who worked for John Hall and were amazed not only by him, but by how he managed to run a grassroots campaign that was exceptionally effective. I had a personal discussion with Loebsack's people about some of the Iraq measures and they were very open, interested and intelligent about the issue...even though I was not in his district. Jerry McNerney came to my attention thanks to one of the most dynamic and dedicated progressive activists I know, the head of Democracy for NYC, who was blown away by him. He is someone who resigned from West Point to protest the Vietnam War, got his Ph.D. in engineering, then dedicated his career to developing wind energy.
Had a conversation (by email) with Jerry McNerney's brother at one point and he got me looking at Joe Courtney. I know less about him other than his voting record, which is great. But Jerry's brother made a good case for supporting him.
But my main reason for focusing on these freshmen is because their voting records have been excellent since taking office and each of them has been passionately vocal about issues that are important to me. When the FISA vote came down, I was worried that some of them might have voted against the Constitution...I as happy to learn that they all held to their values and voted the right way.
Sadly, can't say the same about some Senators.
I read a bio from each of their official pages and made notes:
Submitted by Margaret Bassett on 9 August 2007 - 11:01pm.
My way of judging the staying power of elected officials is to understand how they have prepared for the job. And, although the legal profession has burgeoned and is multi-faceted, it still doesn’t hurt to have a law degree if you want to make laws. Next to that in importance might be those in helping professions, such as teaching and social work.
My observation of the Rovian method was to find someone who was in business and tied to the community of his future constituents. That’s fine in and of itself, but often Rove’s picks seemed to be more interested in promoting business interests than public interests. His poster boy was Tom DeLay. Shea-Porter, on the other hand, actually holds a Masters in Public Administration.
I was struck by Carol Shea-Porter, because she was involved in social work in Rochester, New Hampshire. When she went to volunteer during the Katrina disaster, she stood out for me. I know a family (doctor and teacher couple) who have clued me in on the conditions of many residents in their city.
Curiously two of the Congressmen come from a background in entertainment. Paul Hodes seemed to be especially good in law and was acquainted with Justice Souter. (Didn’t write down what he did in the arts. Sorry.) And Joe Courtney attended a couple of well-known universities but left to be a musician. Nothing wrong with that.
Bruce Braley and David Loebsack from adjoining districts in the eastern part of Iowa, I had followed during their election. In Iowa City, where I was first was old enough to vote, I was aware of how Republican the state used to be. Only two counties (Polk for Des Moines and Johnson for Iowa City) had a Democratic base in 1944. Loebsack’ degree is in political science (UC Davis).
Patrick Murphy had what the Dems have proudly called a blue-collar background and rose to teaching at West Point. He is a veteran from the Iraq war.
Joe Courtney probably has the most to say about universal health care. He served in the Connecticut legislature and has a law degree from UConn.
Ed Perlmutter is another bellwether success whom I watched in 06. His father has a concrete business where the son worked while getting his law degree. My opinion is that Colorado has changed politics enough he will have little to worry about in 08.
Jerry McNerney is the only Californian. He has a Ph.D. in math and has had a career at Sandia National Labs and later in energy fields, including alternative fuels. This is the man whose son served in Iraq and suggested the dad run for office.
John Hall, whom I already mentioned, and Mike Arcuri represent districts in New York. In Arcuri’s case, he is rooted in generations of families in the Utica area and has a law degree from NYU.
A good group of new blood, mostly young enough to build tenure in the House. It’s good that they be helped.
Good run down
Submitted by mole333 on 10 August 2007 - 7:07am.
And it hits on one of the reasons I really like this crop of freshment. They mostly don't fit the mold of "typical" politicians, bringing many new ideas and backgrounds to the mix. I would also add that most of them, if not all, ran excellent campaigns, much better than the average grassroots Dem campaign and they mostly showed excellent organizational skills. They have also mostly kept communication open with their constituents better than usual, continuing to meet with their constituents often and listening to them.
A good bunch, I think.
A few thoughts on Rove et al
Submitted by Margaret Bassett on 10 August 2007 - 8:56am.
The basis of Republican politicking was to "federalize" the process. And we ended up with issues which trivialized choices. Bedroom issues became more prevalent than foreign policy, for example. It worked as long as the electorate was terrified of the "bad guys," but after a while folks catch on.
Once the gang of corporatists, who believe advertising will always prevail, are left with nothing but the same jaded fear jingles, people take stock of their own situations. Republicans have nothing left to peddle.
What changes the milieu is talking to people (the 50 state model)where the political process begins to become less Washington oriented, and harder for candidates of either party to advertise as THE way. One evidence is that no current Democrat seeking the presidency turned up for the DLC conference in Nashville. It makes for interesting observations, like the new Hillary meeting the old Hillary. It's not the only observation, but one that caused "triangulation" to be put into perspective.
On the trail right now, we can observe all the examples on the Dem spectrum. Tweak the system, root out its big mistakes, reorient to domestic issues, etc. Thus the split even in the House. Radical to mainline comes up in bazaar ways, as in the Cindy versus Nancy episode. The Iraq debacle allows for the issue to surface, but I think it reaches much further into classic states rights issues. And that issue is still largely a cultural division between "melting pot" and "true American" feelings. This time immigration will be hotter than affirmative action, but the underlying scream is to find "the good ole days."
In my view, such groups as Blue Dogs appeal to the nostalgia crowd. The folks who promote the PDA approach are looking down the road. What road? Time will tell. The Democrats have the Speakership, and many are giving the Speaker hell. For once, I agree with Ronald Reagan. The Eleventh Commandment says to speak no evil of your party members. It's going to be very interesting to see whether those who campaign for House Democrats understand that federalizing national campaigns is what happened throughout the 20th Century until JFK bucked the system. Jack Kennedy's grandfather typified machine politics. We should be wary of setting up machines.
I'm waiting for Congressional candidates to answer,
Submitted by Margaret Bassett on 11 August 2007 - 9:01pm.
if asked, how they feel about impeachment. It is not a proper subject to put in a platform. But by the summer of 2008, it will have be stifled, simmering, or a success. In the meantime, there are more House recesses. Many of the more recent members are likely to be tested in the issue. Any thoughts?
My view is that the two subjects--failed war and impeachment--will seem like a single issue to many voters.
Impeachment
Submitted by mole333 on 12 August 2007 - 8:46am.
Sadly, impeachment just isn't on the minds of most Americans. We talk about it. Gore Vidal was talking about it on the Henry Rollins Show on Friday. It pops up on Daily Kos in somewhat muted form from time to time. But most Americans are not thinking about it.
By contrast Iraq is vert solidly on their minds. Iraq and the economy are the two primary issues that matter the most to most Americans.
I am still pushing the theme...and remember that impeachment of Nixon was not on most people's mind for a long time. So it could happen. But not unless more people like us get it into people's consciousness.
There's a groundswell
Submitted by Margaret Bassett on 12 August 2007 - 8:57am.
And the likes of reluctant bloggers will soon change their tune. Mark my words. Or rather, read my latest.
I got your Kos blog
Submitted by Margaret Bassett on 12 August 2007 - 1:46pm.
all 86KB of it. And downloaded it. After I eat, I'll try to digest it. But I give this forewarning. There are blogs and then there are blogs. And I'm only talking about those who are on the Democrats' side of the fence.
Great thinking
I want to study a little and will surely write more. For one thing, I want to study your freshman list.