In defense of every angry, frustrated Democrat.

[democrank]

My head hurts. Like a big hunk of concrete after an unfortunate run-in with a jackhammer. Like an overripe melon after a squeeze in some bench vise. But you know what? Come voting day, I`m still going to do what I`ve done for decades....carve a giant check mark after each and every (D) I see. Maybe I`ll choreograph some secret behind-the-curtain dance step and add a little flair to the pencil stroke. Maybe I`ll whip the curtain open with a silent TAKE THAT, YOU TORTURERS, YOU WAR LIARS. Whatever I do, I`ll do it as a Democrat.

What does that bumper sticker say? If you`re not angry, you`re not paying attention. So let me confess....I`m angry and proud of it. Pissed. Seeing red. Fed up to here. Why? Our Constitution is in shreds. Nearly 2,700 soldiers are dead and thousands wounded. Our national debt is astronomical. Our jobs have been outsourced. Millions are without health care. We`re torturing people. We have a lawless president and a feckless Congress. Our prisons are filled to the max. Hurricane Katrina survivors are still living in campers. The energy bill meetings were secret. The warrantless wiretaps are secret. The locations of torture prisons are secret. The Iraq exit plan is secret. The Abramoff meetings are secret. The missing Iraq reconstruction funds are secret. The hired mercenaries are secret. What`s not a secret to me is the fact that we`re in big, big trouble, so sitting back quietly and nodding in the affirmative just won`t do.

I don`t fault any Democrat who posts here about being at the end of their rope, either with the criminal Bush administration or the lack of decisive leadership in our own party. I figure that`s why we`re here, to debate issues, voice opinions, find common ground and identify solutions. Issues are huge, nerves raw and emotions high. Sometimes we get sidetracked by a Chavez discussion, sometimes by an Ann Coulter outburst, sometimes by an alien troll`s knee-deep cesspool.

Maybe this is a good time to dredge up an extra bit of understanding for one another. Democrats have been through a lot and tension is as high as Bush was when he was looking down at a sea of human suffering after Katrina. Let`s do better than he did. Let`s extend a hand to one another, no matter where we are on the political spectrum. Let`s find that common ground and work together to take back the House and the Senate. If we can do that, we can be a unified flame licking at Junior`s heels until he`s sent back to the pig farm in sheer disgrace.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Bravo! I couldn't agree more.

By the way, I've got that bumper sticker: IF YOU AREN'T COMPLETELY APPALLED, YOU HAVEN'T BEEN PAYING ATTENTION. It's been on my car for about 3 years now. I'm more appalled than ever.

[Dr.Phool]

5. I've got that one too.

It's right above one that says,

"Any working person who votes Republican is like a chicken who supports Colonel Sanders."

And another that says

"Be Patriotic!! Impeach Bush-Cheney!!

[KyndCulture]

2. K&R

beautifully said.

[Dr.Phool]

3. I get to fill in that ballot today!

Absentee ballot came in the mail this morning.

:toast: :woohoo: :woohoo: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[democrank]

7. The doctor is in the house

and he has a ballot! Yes indeedy. Go Doc!

[AtomicKitten]

4. Great idea in theory.

There seems to be more interest in factions among those left-of-center than in unity to fight the bastards, but I tend to the shred of optimism that still clings to my consciousness that a united, strong voice will assemble.

[democrank]

6. I`ll start with you, Atomic.

I`m "left-of-center." Not the leftist Chris Matthews describes, but the old fashioned leftist. Populist and proud of it. Believe me. There`s NOTHING I`d like better than to unify and "fight the bastards."

[AtomicKitten]

14. let it be so

In times when we find ourselves beaten down by the outrages de jour, the corruption, the division, and the hatred, it seems almost a dream to contemplate the notion of the masses rising up, united, to turn the tides of history.

I remain hopeful.

[omega minimo]

8. Americans LIHOP thru Reagan/Bush/Bush/Clinton/Gore Years

In defense of every angry, frustrated Democrat.
"What does that bumper sticker say? If you`re not angry, you`re not paying attention."

The majority of Americans weren't paying attention and weren't angry thru the Reagan/Bush/Bush/Clinton/Gore Years. The majority of Americans were asleep at the switch, oblivious frogs in the slowly heating pan of water, enjoying their share of the "I'm gonna get me a piece o' the Greed Is Good pie!"

Everything you described is a direct result of that-- Bushco. is the fulfillment of the process, not the cause.

"What`s not a secret to me is the fact that we`re in big, big trouble, so sitting back quietly and nodding in the affirmative just won`t do."

This is the secret that the majority of Americans keep from themselves, while they sat back quietly and nodded in the affirmative. If now-- after a quarter century of concentrated Reich Wing efforts to disassemble the nation-- they suddenly notice somethin' ain't right, it's gonna be painful to recognize the real reasons for it and figure out what to do about it.

It's hard to admit you've been had. And if some folks wanna run around putting out the latest fire on the ginormous national Clear Cut that is 25 years of Republican Rule, and if they're confused and mad and easily distracted and desperate and depressed and "at the end of their rope," that's understandable.

That's what happens when your'e asleep at the switch.

"I don`t fault any Democrat who posts here about being at the end of their rope, either with the criminal Bush administration or the lack of decisive leadership in our own party.....Maybe this is a good time to dredge up an extra bit of understanding for one another."

Bringing up the history of this on DU doesn't get very far. It's hard to admit you've been had. Many folks don't like the suggestion that they might have some responsiblity-- then or now-- and that we might have to actually DO something. So be it.

That's why I am not "at the end of my rope." After 25 years of Reaganitis, people are waking up at their own pace, in their own time (Too Little, Too Late?). Since we STILL have no guarantee of free and fair elections, only the determination of every single voter of conscience to show up at the polls, will save us.

For anyone interested in the Big Picture and the truth of what's going on, Thom Hartmann talks and rights about it in very clear terms.


http://www.ThomHartmann.com



edit for "Too Little, Too Late?"
:bounce: :bounce:

[JeffR]

10. Deserves a thread of its own!

:toast:

[omega minimo]

12. Esp. if it dies over here

:evilgrin:

:hi: Thanks JeffR

[ChiciB1]

20. THAT IS A GREAT BUMPER STICKER!!!

Did you make it or is it available anywhere??? I would PROUDLY buy several of them for my car!

I DO happen to have that bumper sticker on my car right now that says.... If You're Not Outraged, You're NOT Paying Attention!!! Plus quite a few more! I have thought of making one that says... Why Don't You Slip Into Something More Comfortable? Like A Coma???

I have made some of my own in the past from older bumper stickers, but the picture above really NEEDS the pictures of both of the crooks! But on second thought, I don't know if I could actually put The Idiot's picture on my car.... I can't stand to LOOK at him anymore!! He actually sickens me!

On a plus side... I attended a Bar-B-Que/Meeting of our local Democratic Club here yesterday, and as of then Christine Jennings is PLUS 8 points in her race against Vern Buchanan! But unfortunately we also heard that he just bought $450,000 worth of ads locally and she has very little money!

For the first time in AGES & AGES, we have a shot here. She's running for Cruella's old seat in District 13 in Florida. We ALL know that the polls can change quickly, especially since she has so little money. I made my donation yesterday and she needs so much more help! I've lived in this house for 22 years and have NEVER been represented by a Democrat. I've lived in the District for 28 years so I think it's been an even longer time since ANY Democrat has every won here!!

I will keep working hard, but my "spirits" are very very low and I don't know how I'm going to feel if we lose in November. I'm consumed by cynicism!

I am seriously thinking of leaving as soon as I possibly can if we lose. I've been around politics since I was 11 or 12 and it's just getting to be too much! Considering the economy, selling my home and 5 acres of land WILL be a problem, but the land is up for sale already. I think it's going to take some time to sell as will my home right now, but I fear I won't have much fight left in me if we lose again to FRAUD & CORRUPTION!

We're still fighting for the right to get a referendum on the November ballot so we can vote to have a paper trail! Kathy Dent, local Supervisor of Elections is totally against the idea and is a partisan Republican, as are ALL the County Commissioners and just about everything else here.

[democrank]

13. I`ll never stop believing

that we can bring about meaningful change, regardless of what`s come before. I`ll also never stop caring about my fellow Democrats who have worked so hard to uphold core Democratic values for so many years. I believe deeply in our unions, our peacemakers, our social justice crusaders. I think of all the sacrifice, all the volunteers. I think about folks who have stood in the cold with a tiny sign begging for understanding about the bigger picture.

We can do this....together.

[omega minimo]

15. Um

I'm not sure how that reply is a response to what (you think) I said...................................... Can you fill me in?




"I think about folks who have stood in the cold with a tiny sign begging for understanding about the bigger picture."

That's what I'm talkin about. "Understanding about the bigger picture" -- especially if they're "begging" for it -- can help those dedicated souls in their work.

[fooj]

16. We WILL do this together.

Integrity. Honor. Dignity. AUTHENTIC patriotism is what keeps us all going.



Note- with hope in your heart-
that those earlier Americans always found their way to the light and we can, too. - Keith Olbermann

[filer]

9. As Bart of BartCop.com says...

Let's go get those Bush bastards!

[Auntie Bush]

17. Hear! Hear! Let's go get those bush* bastards!

[JeffR]

11. K & R

I hear ya.

[GeorgeGist]

18. I doubt your frustration and anger would be so intense...

if the Democratic leadership was ACTIVE in opposing the GOP; hand-wringing subservience doesn't count.

[AX10]

19. K & R!

[MODemocrat]

21. That's great; I'm trying to keep my cool & my strength

If we can just meet on common ground, and even if we're not in love with our candidates, maybe we can
work around that. We just have to get rid of the roaches in this Administration and congress. I want to be proud of my country again.
:dem: