Open, Despairing, Letter to Senator Reid

[housewolf]

From DailyKos

Dear Senator Reid,

Since the election, most days, I feel determined. I have become more involved, more passionate, more informed. There is no other choice--because to accept the defeat I felt the day John Kerry made his concession speech is to admit more blackness into my life than I can handle.

I don't do hopelessness and depression well. I'm a take-action person. Show me where to aim, and I'll fire. I've been proud of the work I've done since the election and I've been proud of the work you've done since becoming Minority Leader--and there have been some hopeful days.

But then there are bad days. Very bad days, like yesterday, when that Bankruptcy Bill slammed the Senate like a tidal wave, and the whole Democratic Party got swept under. Not Nader, not the media, not anybody but blogger Maryscott O'Conner seemed to have seen it until it was too late.

Senator Reid, to be frank, you must get control of your caucus. There have been three votes in the past four months that have meant a great deal to Democrats in which you got steamrolled. I know you're not going to win every battle--but you need to win one, and you need to do it yesterday.

<snip>

more...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/3/9/4654/43401

[Selatius]

1. Another snip:

Quite a grim prognosis:

We just can't wait much longer for a victory. We can't wait on the judges. I don't know how much more energy we are going to have under this kind of demoralization.

Senator Reid, please rethink our strategy about filibusters. If the Republicans are going to use the nuclear option, then so be it, let them use it, because if they're going to use it over bankruptcy they're going to use it on the judges too. Let them get it out of the way that much quicker so that at least there isn't even the illusion that we're participants in this national travesty.

Senator Reid, your troops are willing to fight and lose, but we're not able to tolerate defeat at our own hands over and over again.

[housewolf]

2. Thanks for adding some more...

It's a long, articulate and compelling letter.

[zann725]

3. ..exactly my thoughts too. They need to Filibuster NOW.

n/t

[housewolf]

4. kick for a.m. n/t

[Jesus Saves]

5. I'm hoping Reid will pull out all the stops to stop the SS reform

[European Socialist]

6. I'll say it again.

If the dems can't fight a stolen election-will they fight for anything.

[Mass]

7. Answer by Reid team

This was posted further in the thread by one of Reid's staffers.

http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2005/3/9/4654/43401/163?mode=alone;showrate=1#163

A message from Senator Reid (3.76 / 13)

Stephanie and the entire Kos community,

I wanted to write a brief response to your open letter. First let me say I owe everyone on this blog a thank you for your hard work on behalf of Democrats.

Don't lose faith and don't be disheartened. We all won't agree on every issue and we won't always win on the floor, but working together we will succeed. Just a few short months ago conventional wisdom was George Bush's Social Security Privatization plan would easily get through Congress. Now with our caucus united, I can assure you any plan which privatizes Social Security is dead on arrival in the United States Senate.

I encourage to keep writing letters, emailing, signing petitions, faxing, and posting your thoughts on blogs. We are listening and you are making a difference.

-Harry Reid

[John_H]

9. "But we get so damn much money from ABA members that this was

going to happen whether you like it or not."

[housewolf]

10. Thanks for adding this...

I hadn't gotten over to DailyKos yet, so appreciate your posting this reply.

[newyawker99]

11. Hi Mass!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Roland99]

12. A bit heartening

[dxstone]

15. thanks, Roland...

This site is a tremendous resource, with some excellent funny Quicktime video clips... all should visit...
Much obliged...

[OzarkDem]

18. Not good enough

Reid picked the wrong bill to waffle on. Thousands of uninsured folks will have their lives ruined by his decision to vote with campaign contributors.

Sorry, Harry, but this one is unforgiveable.

[Atman]

19. Blah blah fucking bullshit blah blah blah

Fucking sellout.

[DELUSIONAL]

20. Reid the Sham fighter -- he's a phony

That was the biggest load of crap I've read in a long time.

The dem senators should have another election and kick him out of the leadership and out of the party. He is a phony.

[NVMojo]

21. this whole damn post is making me depressed, remembering

the days after November 1, I had almost blacked them out of my mind ...and I want to puke when I think about it. We've had a few moments of happy anarchy since that time ...I want more!!! And this bankruptcy bill was not one of those happy times!!!

I cannot believe the corporate worship going on in this country!!

Thanks for posting all!!!

[realFedUp]

25. "working together"

uh...I don't think that happened yesterday
Mr. Reid.

Do a Tom DeLay on your sheep or the wolves
will do it for you.

[ChiciB1]

8. GREAT LETTER!

I like you am a FIGHTER, we just need to keep this message KICKED! We want our side of the aisle to start Kicking too. And Hooting, Hollering and Stinging like a bee! Or we need to vote them OUT!

Ya hear me Bill Nelson????????

Like YESTERDAY!

I Won't Back Down -- Tom Petty song written for Ronald RayGuns!!!

Think Left -- Be Right!

[Cocoa]

13. Bush's "Clear Skies Initiative" was just blocked in committee

I agree very much with the sentiments in that letter, but the dem victories HAVE to be acknowledged.

[Liberty Belle]

23. Feinstein changed her vote to block Clear Skies.

I wrote her a letter and asked her to change her vote, explaining the seriousness of mercury poisoning levels in the US (I'm a medical writer and cited specifics). I then told her that as DFA Media Chair in San Diego, I'd be delighted to share some good news with a few thousand voters if she changed her vote to help defeat this bad bill.

Feinstein came through for us. Please write and thank her, so that she'll feel encouraged to do this more often.

[Cocoa]

24. good for you

thanks for the info. :thumbsup:

[BrklynLiberal]

14. kick

[DebJ]

16. Reid HIMSELF voted for it!

[Helga Scow Stern]

17. I just saw that!

Very depressing news.

He does have Citibank in his state....

It feels like a double betrayal after that encouraging note above.

[cry baby]

22. kick for a great letter, even though Reid obviously didn't read it.

[realFedUp]

26. thanks for this link

I needed to read other comments on that
shameful vote yesterday.

[medeak]

27. at least they made exception for disabled vets

Wash Post:

Republicans also agreed to an amendment offered by Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) to give some bankruptcy exemptions to disabled military veterans.