A seething resentment smolders in America's 'heartland' (vanity)

[Padraig18]

If you look closely, and if you understand what it is you are seeing and hearing, you can see the signs of growing discontent here in the Midwest--- America's heartland--- an area as rich in electoral votes as its fields are fertile and it's cities bustling.

You see it when a local judge's widow--- a good Republican lady--- shyly enters the door of Democratic headquarters and asks for some literature about our presidential candidates, and shares with you her fear for her grandson in the Army National Guard unit just deployed to Iraq.

You see it at lunch in the local diner, when both stalewart Republican and Democratic farmers commiserate about the fact that were it not for a bumper crop, they would not have earned the cost of the crops they planted, tended and harvested this year.

You see it in the grocery store, when the retired teacher tells you that yet again her portion of her health insurance AND her physician, laboratory and prescription-drug co-payment has risen.

You see it when the local banker tells you that his bank is beginning to refinance defaulted mortgages, simply because doing so may avert yet another round of foreclosures on farms and homes.

You see it when your doctor confides to you that his cost for billing Medicaid is rapidly approaching the amount he will be reimbursed for care he in good conscience cannot and will not deny his poorest patients.

You see it when the auto worker laid off from Caterpillar confides that his newly laid-off son and his family have moved back home, and that he and his wife are now invading their retirement account just to keep body and soul together.

This, then, is the American Midwest I see every day, an area our party did not do noticeably well in in 2000; the resentment is there, and it grows daily. Will we Democrats forthrightly and honestly address the issues that burden these good people, or will we simply write them off as 'red states', and hope for the best?

The choice is ours, and we must choose wisely, for all our sakes. Use their resentment and their anger, I beg you, but do not ignore them yet again--- they are good people, and they deserve our best.

Thank you.

[denverbill]

1. Very nice post!

IMO, 2004 is ours (Democrats) to lose. Democrats just need to lay out a clear, strong plan - a clear alternative to Bush.

[Padraig18]

2. Yes!

I know many, many Republicans and independents who are looking for a reason--- a positive reason--- to support our nominee next year. Let's give them some. :)

[GinaMaria]

3. I saw this morning at the bus stop

a repub woman was looking for signatures (again) to get on the ballot for a Ward Committee person position. She's really struggling trying to get signatures. I looked her right in the face and told her 'no way'. The really creepy part is the guy she's with. He looks like
Fallwell, and she checks with him before asking someone for a sig.

She has stacks of blank pages on her clip board and I hope it stays that way.

FYI... I'm in a blue state in the midwest.

[Padraig18]

4. My state is blue, too.

But I'm in Indiana and Missouri often, and they are very 'pink' at this point, and getting pinker by the day.

[Bluzmann57]

5. As a fellow Midwesterner

I can see that you are right. A truck driver who was an avid "war with Iraq" supporter has now changed his thinking. A few veterans I know have changed their minds about this fraudulent "administration". There is a seething mistrust of the republicans out here and hopefully, it will translate into Democratic votes in 2004 so the bfee can be permanently ousted. How is the feeling in Florida about jebbie? He needs to go right along with his brother. I am starting that "power to the people" movement of the 60's is making a comeback and will prove to be stronger than the bfee.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

35. ok

so I'm in Florida, maybe I shouldn't be so quick to lay the blame that is Shrub on the mid-westerners doorstep. It's FLorida's fault too. You asked about Jeb, well the popularity of Jeb depends on who you ask. I'd say the state's split, with maybe a little more leaning to the conservative side given the age of our population (read: old as Jesus, maybe older). Jeb doesn't ever get any bad press in the Orlando Slantinel, and being a "right-to-get-raped-by-your-employer" state, we dont have very strong unions.

[Padraig18]

38. They were lied to, too.

What happened, happened. We must look ahead now, because that's where our hope lies.

[IrateCitizen]

6. Padraig18, you know that this is an issue that I believe in...

But the whole thing comes down to a simple choice -- will the Democrats continue to represent certain corporate interests and Wall St., or will they instead begin to represent people's interests and Main St.

They can't do both at the same time, that much should be apparent by what you've described above. The right thing to do, of course, would be to fight on behalf of the people you've described -- the kind of people that any of us who have grown up or lived in the Midwest or rural areas know all too well. Problem is, that the "right thing to do" quite often comes into conflict with the politically expedient.

There are times I shudder for the future of this country if it continues on its current course.

EDITED FOR COHERENCE :dunce:

[SlavesandBulldozers]

7. theyre the jackasses who voted for Bush

now they reap what they have sown.

[Padraig18]

8. Have we no mercy left for those who erred?

Should we punish them further for their own all-too-human folly, or should we offer to lift them up and bind them to us with mercy, compassion and forgiveness? The choice is ours.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

33. mercy?

no amount of mean comments, by me or anyone else, is going to shine through the complete ineptitude of the Bush administration. The mid-westerners will vote accordingly, regardless of how I, or any other dem, rubs it in their face. I did nothing but tell them what they already know, that if they voted for George Bush they have been a contributor to the current downward spiral of civilization, and that it is their duty to make amends for this in the eyes of God and everything that is holy by voting against Bush in the next election.

I'm sorry for telling the midwesterners they are reaping what they've sown. In many ways, it wasn't fair for me to say that. Nobody could know the level of idiocy Bush was capable of reaching.

[Padraig18]

36. Yes, that's the point.

If they had had any clue, a lot of the red states in the Midwest would've been blue in 2000; they know they were lied to, and they just want a bit of help and understanding in taking their first few 'baby Dem' steps. :)

[zonmoy]

56. perhaps

they should be left to the natural consequences of their folly.

[IrateCitizen]

9. When I read posts like this one...

I am forced to rethink why I am even a Democrat.

I'm a Democrat because I don't believe in the politics of hatred or blame -- rather, I believe that politics should be about hope. I believe that politics should be about helping people out who need it, not punishing them for choices they've made that I might not agree with. :shrug:

[Demonaut]

18. If ever

there is a time to lay blame it is now, I am a democrat because I believe the government is beholden to its people, not the other way around. we need to vent now and often, this anger and resentment is needed to combat the republicans own sense of outrage. WE LOST BECAUSE WE HAD NO BALLS, I, as an english born gentleguy believe in the sense of fair play, but today that is a guarentee of defeat. unlike Zell Miller who thinks 'if you can't beat them join them" I believe we should take a page from thier playbook and go on the offensive and toss every lie and deceit in thier collective faces. And remind those who voted for this idiot that they are partly to blame for this immense mess. Then after scolding them encourage them to set things straight by voting for whatever democrat goes against bush.

[Padraig18]

21. You'll never reach them by blaming them.

They'll tune you out faster than a duck can say 'quack', if you do. The *only way* you are ever going to 'bring them into the fold' is by patiently, calmly and rationally explaing to them in a low-key manner why voting for * again is not in their self-interest; trust me, the know they screwed up--- most of them--- and they will give us their votes if we do it the way I described.

Beat up * all you want, but don't blame them personally--- trust me on this one, because I live with them.

[MuseRider]

23. I am sorry but this will make it a failure.

These people are not stupid. They may speak differently, they may argue in a simplistic manner but believe me they are not stupid. If you talk to them you will find an enormous amount of information and you would most likely guess if the topic is not politics that these people would be solid democrats. Being as independent as they are the last thing they need is to be told that they are to blame. Why would you encourage resentment?

[Jacobin]

31. No. We ALL reap what they have sown

They only know what Faux and CNN tell them to think.

Faux and CNN are so completely detached from reality now and that fact is becoming so obvious that they may able to be reached.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

34. touche my friend

you are right, We all have reaped what they have sown. Great point.

[IrateCitizen]

37. No, we have ALL reaped what we ALL have sown!

You act as if GWB in 2000 was just an event that dropped out of the clear blue sky. Yet, you readily acknowledge that this phenomenon would not have occurred if it were not for the sorry state of our media, among other things.

These two events are not inseparable. In fact, they are very much related.

Over the past 30 years, WE (meaning every man and woman, over the age of 18 in America) have allowed our country to decline. WE have sat on the sidelines and been content to watch television while our social fabric was ripped asunder. WE have allowed politicians funded by media interests to deregulate OUR airwaves and pollute OUR public discourse in the name of profit. WE have not fulfilled our duly appointed roles as citizens, the watchdogs of democratic process, because WE have been too content to engage in bread and circuses instead of heeding the prophetic words of Thomas Jefferson when he said, "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance."

Don't be so quick to point fingers at others, when there are still three fingers pointing back at you. ALL OF US have brought this fate upon ourselves, in one way or another -- REGARDLESS of who we pulled our lever for between the two major candidates pre-decided by the moneyed interests to whom we have surrendered our country, or if we pulled the lever of a 3rd party candidate, or if we didn't bother to vote at all. This problem goes much deeper than that.

Now, you have a choice. You can continue to be petty and resentful, ignoring these deeper issues at your own peril. Or, you can look for ways that we can band together as countrymen and fellow human beings, and working for a society that is more worthy of our efforts, along with more worthy of the documents upon which it is founded.

Personally, I'd rather choose the latter course. Your choice is entirely up to you.

[Bandit]

10. Even if they have a confederate flag on their pick em up

Sorry for the sarcasm and I agree wholeheartedly that people are not happy. There is a lot of discontent that can and should be addressed by our candidates. I could care less if they are flying a confederate flag today. I'm convinced with good leadership they will put aside that flag and learn we are all in this together and will all benefit if we work together instead of head-to-head as it is today. Ignorance has a cure.

[Padraig18]

11. All of these people need us.

They are beginning to lose hope, and that is what we can give them back--- hope that tomorrow will be better. We must not pass this chance by, simply because most of the states were 'red' in 2000.

[Padraig18]

12. Kick

:dem:

[MuseRider]

13. 2 part reply

You and I and IrateCitizen have had several of these discussions and I have enjoyed them. You are right and I have two points here.

1) We discussed before that often those of us in the rural areas have voted Republican (not me) because they do not understand the Democratic social platform. We have our own way of dealing, through a very close knit community. I am in the midst of that at the moment as a very good friend and well known member of the community rolled his tractor onto himself and was killed the other day. It is difficult to discribe how it is that an entire county can pull together but it does. People out here do not understand why the social platform is so important because they have never needed or rarely needed it to be mandated, it just is out here. This leads to my second part

2) I was in the feed store yesterday, owned by the son of the man who was killed. I have a very good relationship with them but they are forever teasing me about my DemocraticUnderground and my Dennis Kucinich bumperstickers. It comes up every time they help me load the back of the pick up. Yesterday the young man who works there told me quietly that there is no way he will vote for Bush*. He does not want to vote for a Democrat but he will not vote for Bush*. I will quietly help him understand our candidates as I can but this was a stunner for me. Like I have said before, these states are ready to oust Bush* but only if our candidate acts like these people matter.

[Padraig18]

14. Yes.

We need to make it clear--- not in a hectoring "I told you so" way, though--- why these good people should not vote Repuke again. I've been told repeatedly by Republicans here that * will not be getting another vote frm them, and many more have told me they are ambivalent about him, at best.

[MuseRider]

16. It has to be done

in a quiet and gentle manner. There is such a tradition of voting Republican. I honestly can't remember a time when I have seen this much discontent. I get excited about it then I have to make myself calm down. I am ready to prepare copies of each candidates platforms for the people who quietly tell me they want to know. I make myself an obvious democrat and although that is sometimes a problem I am finding more often that it starts questions that lead to some sincere conversations that have to be helpful.

[Padraig18]

17. *nods*

Exactly! Do it with humility and sensitivity. :thumbsup:

[Demonaut]

19. that might work too

but a with a good helping of "I toldya so"

[IrateCitizen]

20. Is "I toldya so" what you usually respond to positively???

When crafting a strategy, ask yourself those kinds of questions. Do you respond well to a person whose main thrust is, "You were wrong for doing what you did, that's why you need to do it MY way," or did you respond better to someone who just explained why one of the choices is a better choice for you?

Browbeating others will get you nowhere. If you think it will, especially among rural folks, you're sadly deluded.

[MuseRider]

22. Not helpful.

Do you live or have you ever lived in a rural community? If so, I am surprised you would have this answer. Life is different out there and coming at these people with an urban attitude will send them to the Republicans, or third party every time. I did not mean to imply that "I told you so" is an urban attitude. I was refering to the comments I see posted here often when this subject comes up.

[jokerman93]

24. "I told you so." Is counter-productive

We only say "I told yu so." when we want to rub it in that we were right to begin with. I think most people make decisions based on the information they have. Being right about the Bushies doesn't make anyone smarter or morally superior.

Bush lied up and down about what he would do if elected president. Most "conservative" middle American's had no idea what they were getting, and it seems many of them aren't sure what they've got even now.

I say, it's our duty to educate the public as a dispassionate counterpose to the vast proaganda machine that's in place at the moment. None of us have any right to say "I told you so." Bush is in office and we are now embroiled in a vile, protracted, and pointless war that is bleeding our country's spirit away. Why? Because our representatives said little or nothing to oppose this fascist juggernaut that has decended.

I'm refering here to the Florida coup, the yielding of congressional war powers to the president, the passing of the Patriot Bill without debate...shall I go on?

I'm angry at most of our Democrat representation (with notable exceptions). But I'm also glad to see some American's have begun to wake from their stupor.

IMO, "I told you so." doen't belong in the discourse.

No offense intended to anyone. This is just an opinion piece.

On edit:
typos

[loudnclear]

15. If people could only be exposed to the truth instead of the constant

barrage of propaganda put out by the few media outlets these people can access, it wouldn't just be "seeds of resentment" in the hearland...it would be open rebellion. These are mostly decent people trying to support the country they live in and love. It's up to us to help them see the light. But then, reality has a way of exposing truth.

[shrike]

25. Just because we're in the Midwest doesn't mean we're dumb.

I live here myself (Chicago area) and I see the change in attitude every day. My husband has breakfast often (I sleep late) at a blue-collar diner in our town. Just a few months ago he got dirty looks and nasty comments every time he made an anti-Bush remark. Now everyone agrees with them. The old guys who sit at the counter told him the other day, "He's out of here. Bush is going down."

[mmonk]

26. Thanks for that post

I'm tired of feeling despair and feeling alone and isolated.

[Padraig18]

28. You're not alone--- not at all.

There is a untapped resource waiting for the Democrats--- it's called the Midwest. Now Howard needs to talk about "Guys who drive john Deeres and wear seed caps--- they're all ears (no pun intended). :hi:

[MuseRider]

39. Now stop that!

Some of us drive Massey Ferguson. You Dean people! Just kidding, of course.

[Padraig18]

40. LOL!

I hear Gephart supporters drive Deutz-Allisons. :P

[MuseRider]

43. I've always lusted

after those pretty Kubotas myself. But I love my "Big Red" tractor named Lucy.

[Padraig18]

47. Me, too!

I'd love a big orange one. :)

[briggen]

27. Saving American jobs!!

There is a solution to the erosion of American jobs and only congress can provide the solution. But, they won't without enormous grassroots pressure. Click on/or copy and paste the link below:

http://www.geocities.com/wittcourt/

Jim Grimes

[newyawker99]

57. Hi briggen!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Padraig18]

58. Welcome to DU, briggen!

:hi:

[Padraig18]

29. Kick back to the first page

:dem:

[Jacobin]

30. Dean's populist rhetoric, IMHO, can capture that feeling

and capitalize on it.

Kerry's coiffed, stand-offish, well-groomed look of millions will turn them off.

Clark could also touch on it.

Kucinich would be seen as a vegan gnome.

[Padraig18]

32. Dean, Clark and Gephart could all capitalize on it.

But you're right about Kerry and Kucinich.

[MuseRider]

41. WRONG!

"Kucinich would be seen as a vegan gnome." I have had a good response from these people when his policies are stated. I don't think they care what he looks like or what he eats, he sounds like he cares and has established policy statements that affect them in positive ways and they do like that.

[Padraig18]

42. Maybe.

I don't envy myself the task of trying to sell DK to Mr. Otto down the road, though--- he raises Black Angus. j/k :)

[MuseRider]

44. You might be surprised

but then again, you might want to be very careful.

[IrateCitizen]

45. But we've got to figure in media-filtered perceptions still...

And as much as it pains me to say it, because I am a big fan of Dennis -- it is exactly the characterization that will be made.

Despite all of the good things he says, and how he has made a political career (and even sacrificed said career) in the name of fighting for "regular people", that message will never get through the REAL "media filter" in soundbites and 30-second commercials.

[MuseRider]

46. That is why,

in spite of what I often get ribbed about, I am out there talking about him. The first thing I tell them is that he is one of us, a regular guy. No mega bucks, just a regular guy with good, sound farm policies and a penchant for peace. It doesn't always work but you would be surprised at how many will at least listen and that is the first step.

[IrateCitizen]

48. I'm not exactly disagreeing with you...

I'm just pointing out that our NATIONAL system is so completely rigged by the media, that it just isn't ready for someone who talks of IDEAS like Dennis does. At least not without a slathering heap of charisma to go along with it -- something that Dennis, despite his heart of gold, just doesn't have.

[MuseRider]

49. You are right

I wasn't diagreeing with you either. It is tough to do for any of us about any of the candidates with the media being rigged like it is. But, one at a time. It will spread.

[Jacobin]

50. I'm in the south

Perhaps a different culture, although similar in many respects.

I just disagree with you on how Kucinich is/will be perceived by rural folks.

[xchrom]

51. caterpillar?!? are you in peoria?

where in the midwest are you?
few{er} people know about caterpillar anymore.

[Padraig18]

52. Close, relatively.

About 75 miles SE of Peoria.

[Padraig18]

53. Evening-shift kick

:dem:

[Missy Vixen]

54. DH's business trip to Ohio

My DH went to Ohio a couple of months ago on business. His trip was to a smallish community, quite a distance from Cincinnati.

He told me that he did not see ONE Bush/Cheney bumper sticker during his visit. (He did see quite a few Dean bumper stickers, though.) He was amazed at the vitriol towards Bush by those he overheard talking about politics in restaurants, the hotel, etcetera. DH, while a good Democrat, doesn't live and breathe politics like me. When he is hearing this kind of stuff (and paying attention,) something's going on.

We must tap this anger. We need those in the heartland to help us get our country back. What can we do to help?

Julie

p.s. I believe that the only solution is to clean house at the DNC, but I'm not sure Bill Clinton wants to take Terry McAuliffe's job.

[Padraig18]

55. They are good and decent people who were lied to,...

... and they quite rightly feel betrayed by * and his ilk. We can tap into this anger, and give them real hope for a better life for them, their children and their grandchildren. This is how we wipe away some of that awful swatch of red in the middle of the electoral map of this Republic.