Down To Zero

[NanceGreggs]

For as long as I can remember, the Republican Party has appealed to voters based on one overarching concept: As long as you’ve got yours, there’s no need to worry about whether the other guy has his.

And it was a message that worked well for far too long. Democrats were easily demonized as those who wanted to take from hard-working citizens, in order to give their money to social programs that would assist the less fortunate – programs whose recipients were easily couched in terms such as welfare queens, no-accounts looking for a handout, and those too lazy to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, get a job, and stand on their own two feet.

For obvious reasons, it was a message that resonated. “We, the GOP, want to ensure that your money stays in your pocket.” And it served a multitude of purposes. It assuaged whatever guilt might have been felt by those who had second thoughts about not looking after the down-and-out, simply by being reassured that everyone had the capacity to look after themselves if they just put their mind to it.

It also set the stage for an acceptance of tax-cuts for the wealthy – because, to hear the Republicans tell it, every American who was willing to put their nose to the grindstone would eventually wind up in that upper bracket where they’d be taking advantage of those tax-cuts right along with the Rockefellers and the Trumps.

However, what the GOP should have foreseen, and so obviously didn’t, is that once the average voter they were trying curry favor with didn’t have his anymore, the once-magical message became moot. And what’s worse, the many Americans who no longer have theirs know full well who was behind the policies and lack of oversight that took theirs away from them.

What will win this election for Obama and the Democrats is not charisma, or celebrity, or personality. It is the fact that Americans living in fear of losing their homes, their savings, their jobs, and their healthcare coverage are well past the point of voting for who they want to have a beer with – or cry in that beer with, as the case may be.

It is all too easy to dismiss the coming tidal wave by saying that Republicans have a history of voting against their own best interests. And to a degree, that has unfortunately been true. However, these same voters are not assessing these things in the abstract these days; the financial pain has come home.

It is no longer the other guy whose house might be foreclosed on, whose job might be outsourced, whose life savings could be wiped out by one medical emergency, but people who have worked hard all of their lives.

It is no longer the lazy, lookin’-for-a-handout types who have had to rely on unemployment benefits, or food banks, or welfare, but people who have stood on their own two feet for decades and now can’t survive without a helping hand.

It is no longer the just enough to scrape by workers who have had to abandon their dreams of higher education for their children, but people who have scrimped and saved in order to see their kids have a better life than theirs.

It is no longer the didn’t bother to save for a rainy day crowd who are fearful of winding up virtually penniless in their later years, but people who are now watching their scrupulously-chosen investments being dwindled down, or wiped out completely.

These are the people who will put Obama in the White House, not because they are converts to the Democratic cause, but because they have been carefully schooled - by the GOP party, no less - to put their own wallets, their own well-being, their own financial survival above all else when they go to the polls.

If it weren’t for the financial devastation the average voter is currently facing, the fact of a McCain-Palin ticket would have the majority of American workers openly laughing in the streets. In the midst of economic meltdown, the Dynamic Duo the GOP is proffering as saviors consists of a man who admittedly “doesn’t really understand the economy” but believes its “fundamentals are sound” and a woman who thinks “the financial system needs some shakin’ up and some fixin’”.

Well, no doubt that’s a comfort to those who got their pink slips today, or those who won’t sleep tonight for fear of the foreclosure notice that’s due to arrive tomorrow – those who the GOP have labeled whiners whose "problems" are simply a figment of their own over-active imaginations.

In other words, the GOP is now officially down to zero - they have nothing to offer, nothing to rebuild upon, nothing to excuse the mess they've created and continue to hold out as something worth holding on to.

Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States – not because he speaks eloquently, but because he speaks the truth; not because he is offering a solution to every problem, but because he recognizes that the problems being faced are real, and require more than rhetoric to be made made right.

I hope I can be forgiven for finding something to smile about in the present miserable state of affairs, but I can’t help but delight in the irony: the party who taught their constituents to think only of themselves will now be brought down by the millions of voters who will do exactly that come November.

Don’t stop working, contributing, volunteering, or talking to your neighbors about what’s at stake. But DON’T STOP BELIEVING that we’re going to win this thing, and WIN BIG, because our fellow citizens – those looking out for themselves, and those looking out for others – are united in wanting a solution to their problems. And they are unlikely to vote for a candidate and a party who persist in pretending that their problems simply don't exist.



(A special thanks to our own Raven, who inspired this piece.)

[saltpoint]

1. Recommended.

Tonight, Nance, my goal is to be among the first 50 people who recommend this post.

As always, great job. I agree with your politics already but I love the writing even more.

[panader0]

2. Thanks for your optimism. I too am basically optimistic,

I have trouble with all the lies, they have worked before, and a huge population of Americans believe them. Somewhere deep down I believe Obama will win. Thanks for bucking up my spirits.

[NC_Nurse]

3. K&R. Outstanding. I saw Raven's post earlier, and you have put it together

beautifully! Well done, as usual. :yourock:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear Nance...

What marvelous prose, as usual...

I am proud to know you, to share the planet with you!

We are so very lucky to have you on our side, to speak the truth we need to hear!

Thank you.

K&R

:patriot:

[immoderate]

5. That's three posts on the Greatest page. Pow!

Phenomenal!

--IMM

[dccrossman]

6. K & R

Excellent piece. I think by the end of this week, even the, less-than-reliable polls that are available, will start to turn back in our direction. Nothing fundamental changed when Palin was added, and in today's world of 24-hour news and the media lashing out because of a lack of access, the shine will wear off and people will remember why they weren't excited about McCain.

McCain has made a mistake in destroying his own credibility. Be sure to thank him. :rofl:

[Patsy Stone]

7. Spot on brilliance!

Today was the beginning of the end for McPalin.

K and definitely R!

[DaLittle Kitty]

8. K&R! Nancy Hit Nail MEGA On Da Head, However Do Not Let Up GOP WILL Twist This

Debacle wildly as they go into their deaththroes... Watch it and BE SURE THE VOTES ARE COUNTED ACCURATELY!

[Willo]

9. Good one Nance!

It's nice to have McCain back in the news showing off his mad skillz on the economy.

I'm hoping his mistakes today were perceived as huge to others as they seemed to me. It should really give people pause, especially anyone directly hit by a job loss, foreclosure or at risk of either.

[Window]

10. Saw Raven's post earlier...I knew you could do it. Fantastic. K/R.

:kick:

[The Wizard]

11. Their sole argument is

they're the only ones who can fix the damage they caused. It's like bringing gas to a fire.
There are the 20% that vote Repube no matter what, but we have big numbers in the new voter ranks, and that is where the difference lies.
The luster is coming off Palin faster than shit through a goose. The public seems to be catching on to the all lies all the time campaign. Listening to McCane is like listening to paint dry. Any bets when someone on the right just comes out and calls Obama a nigger.
Who on the right will be the first to hurl the ultimate invective: Sean, Billo the Clown, Rash Limbo?
Just waiting for the ad with the foreboding music and deep male voice, Barack Obama: He's only half white.

[Waiting For Everyman]

12. AND THIS IS THE MESSAGE! Nothing else from now on.

McCain's buddy and "economic brain" is the prime author of not only the foreclosure disaster, but the bank failures from it, and the oil speculation which drove up gas prices. Lord Almighty, and with a current-event to give it relevance... there has never been a greater gift dropped on a candidate.

I agree Nance, this is the election right here.

Say Gramm's name. Lay it out. Point the finger to who did it. Hold him accountable too. Not only him, but Repub policy for 28 years in general. (And oh yeah, McC was onboard with it and plans to keep going with it - there's record to use.) People want justice. They will NOT stand for this being swept under the rug... and unblievably... McCain is publicly trying to do just that!!! What colossal arrogance!

OMG!

Unforgivable. Inexcusable. And TODAY, of all days!!!

LIE OF ALL LIES from McCain.

[madamesilverspurs]

13. Yes! Oh, yes!

You write, "Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States – not because he speaks eloquently, but because he speaks the truth..." Indeed, truth carries its own eloquence. It requires no shades of meaning, depends on no deliberate ambivalence, has no reliance on cues or prompts. It arrives with a substantive grace that empowers even the simplest words. In stunning contrast to the squirming and squinting equivocations of his detractors, in glaring antithesis to the overblown theatrical repetitions of the opposing campaign, Barack Obama demonstrates no reluctance to speak to the moment. And they accuse him of sounding pretentious.

Given the choice, they might prefer to have a beer with McCain. But I'd choose a conversation with Obama over that any place, any time. There's just something to be said for his brand of eloquence.

[saltpoint]

14. Kick.

[Number23]

15. Really fantastic stuff. Really

I ain't no @sskisser or no groupie, but this is simply fantastic. Your point is very well-made and (sadly) damn TRUE.

the party who taught their constituents to think only of themselves will now be brought down by the millions of voters who will do exactly that come November.

Absolutely first-rate stuff. Fantastic writing.

I've learned to never underestimate the power of racism and/or stupidity so I pray that what you say is true. But we agree that Republicans have nada, zero, absolutely NOTHING to stand for or offer.

[joop]

16. K&R and you nailed it, Nance.

thanks for this through the goalposts shot! WE WILL WIN!

[Bette Noir]

17. Yes.

My husband and I lost a significant portion of our life savings today. Retirement will have to be postponed.

This has gone way past lipstick on pigs. I'm sure the rest of the country will wake up, now.

[TheKentuckian]

18. Another awesome piece!!!

Thanks for cutting like a laser through the bull and lifting heads while you do it.

[Sodan]

19. K & R

[nam78_two]

20. Recd.nt

[rasputin1952]

21. I am a Boomer, I came up in a Republican household basically

because Eisenhower won the war. I was brought up on stories of
the 30's, when a dime could not be found in Oklahoma City and
barter was a way of life. A Republican Congress fought FDR
tooth and nail to keep Britain afloat and viable as the last
bastion on a European Democracy, (it was Europe's problem).
Suddenly, on a Sunday Morning in Dec of 1941 everything
changed, literally overnight. The great people of this nation
who had nothing rose to the occasion, they held scrap drives,
they planted victory gardens, they excoriated those would
waste a gallon of gasoline. They 
 sent there sons to die of places they never heard of.They
worked hard to ensure that victory was won at any cost.
Farmers with outdated machines worked well into to night to
make sure thayne more loaf of bread would be there for the
boys on the front line.

Things have not changed all that much, it is just that money
has gushed up to those who wold never contemplate sacrifice.
So what we have now is a stinking society of people who wold
see their mothers for a quarter....while those true Americans
those who would give their sons, daughters every moment of
their time to make sure the country survived are still out
there.

A change is in the air, a cool wind blows, the hot air of the
GOP is expelled. Obama, Biden and a Democratic Congress will
bring us home.

 

[calimary]

27. Wow, rasputin1952 - great post, within yet another great Nance Greggs post!

I salute you both!

:patriot: :patriot:

I need to be able to read things like this at the moment. I need the pick-me-up. Deeply appreciated!

[rasputin1952]

32. After all of this time, you'd figure I'd get that "spell check" thing

figured out...;)

But there is an addendum to what I wrote, and I thought long and hard about printing it, as it has some very personal aspects involving a family out here in Northeastern NE.I shall leave anonymity the centerpiece, as the parents are still ive, and I've met them. The male is 93, the female is 91, they both still farm their land. Both of them are sharp as tacks and to look at their knuckles and hands you know they have worked the land since they were born. They had two children, a boy and a girl, the boy being older by a year. On 8Dec41, at 17 he went to the Marine recruiter to jon, and as told he was too thin, he went tot the Army recruiter and was signed upon the spot. He went home and told his parents what he had done, and quick "party" was in organized. (Families are huge out here, and while they live somewhat distant because of the farm community, they are VERY tight). The son was eventually sent to Guadalcanal, the daughter stayed home to help on the farm, often working 14-16 hours a day, 7 days a week, along w/her parents

The son was missing in action in 1942, (his remains were found in 1957) and shipped home. On the same day that the MIA telegram was delivered, and with the daughter in the field working w/antiquated equipment, her arm was caught in a belt and ripped from the socket, she bled to death on that field. The family line essentially died that day. The local story, (which has a tendency to be embellished), is that hundreds showed up for the funeral and memorial services. Money was collected as the farm was not yet paid for, and no one thought that people who had seen such tragedy should lose their home as well. Community, a community with essentially nothing was there, just as communities all over this nation come together when things go awry.

As I said at the beginning of this piece, I met these people, actually at a Town Meeting with Doug Bereuter(R-1st Dist Retired). I asked what could be done for these people who had sacrificed so much, and at the very least, get medication for knuckles that looked like walnuts from years of use and abuse. After the meeting, a few of us went outside and started a collection for this couple, nothing grand, no millions of dollars or some such thing.We were talking about helping these people, and two amazing things happened. The first, a major dealer donated a used, but perfectly working combine to the family, (I guess the worth was about $100,000+)...and then, when Doug came out, I had my hat in my hand wiping my brow, it was hot, and he dropped a personal check into my hat for $2500 made out to the couple. Others reached into their pockets and soon, I had a hat with some pretty good cash in it. I went to the car the elderly couple were entering, gave them the hat, and the lady looked at me with tears in her eyes, ans simply said, "Thank you son". A couple of years ago, I was in Newman Grove and decided to visit the graves of the the children who had perished. In a latex box, my hat was attached to the grave of the young woman. I wept, not because of the loss from so many years ago, but because I knew that two old people would suffer just a little less, because community was there for them.

[progressoid]

38. ...

:cry:

:hug:

[The Blue Flower]

43. Beautifully written

Thank you for sharing your memories and thoughts.

[cliffordu]

22. kicked.

[WheelWalker]

23. Nail. Right on. Head.

[knixphan]

24. This needs to make the rounds,

To conservative family members across the country...

[NBachers]

25. As the Bloodbath Continues . . .

"Aren't you glad we prevented the Republicans from getting their hands on your Social Security?"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n03a7cLf0M

Let's see- Who's the guy who said "Give capitalists enough rope and they'll hang themselves?"

[jamesatemple]

26. Great post, Nance!

I took the liberty of e-mailing it (with proper accreditation, of course) to a good friend, a die-hard Republican in Mississippi. I've argued with him for years about "welfare queens", the strawman argument that Repubs seem to resort to in any political discussion.

I'm not naive enough to think that it will change his mind; I just hope that I've been persuasive enough to entice him to read it. A tiny drip of water can wear away a mountain, given enough time. Unfortunately, time is at a premium just now.

[concerned canadian]

28. K&R

[CampDem]

29. Wow

This OP and thread made me feel so good to read. You just nailed it! :kick:

[AllHereTruth]

30. Great piece once again.

[GeorgeGist]

31. It seems to me that the implicit concept of capitalism ...

is to assure that UNEARNED income (profit) flows uphill to a few at the top; the fewer the better.

It's a stupid economic reality.

[DeeDeeNY]

33. Beautifully stated and on the spot

The only problem with your essays is that they're not published for more to see.

:applause:

[ekwhite]

34. I wish I was as optimistic

but the opinion polls have me sweating. I have seen the Republicans convince people to vote against their economic interests too many times. They may do it one more time, then we would have President Palin.

[JimDandy]

42. Hope you're not ALWAYS so pessimistic on this board.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7080195&mesg_id=7085998

[crickets]

35. K&R

[theodosis2]

36. AS USUAL RIGHT ON NANCE

I would certainly wish for optimism at this time; however it will take a landslide victory to sweep Obama in office. If the election is close then the Repukes could steal it again, so be extremely vigil.

[Major Hogwash]

37. Too many people have lost their jobs, or have a friend or a relative who did to buy into their bs

this time.

Over 4130 soldiers have been killed in a war started on lies, but the economy is in the gutter, the number of unemployed is higher, the total number of companies is shrinking, but what's even worse than that is that the number of companies who predict they will be hiring in the next 12 months is shrinking - people have no hope that the economy will turn around anytime soon.

People are losing their homes every day - 7000 foreclosures a day in this country!!
Why?

Bush's economic policies - he adopted Reagan's trickle down theory.

And McCain thinks the fundamentals of the economy are okay in this country!?

Johnny Mac is clueless, totally clueless about what to do about any of it.

For instance, how is our spending $10 Billion dollars a month in Iraq a good idea?

How is that supposed to help us now?

If the surge worked, then let's get out of Iraq now.

Johnny Mac is clueless in Washington.

[Roland99]

39. Trouble is, Obama *should* be 20-30 points ahead in EVERY poll. He's not.

That scares me.

[JimDandy]

41. I REALLY like that post from a couple days ago

that suggested we s(troll) on past those posters who are always either "concerned", "depressed" or "scared." Hope this isn't a pattern with YOU.

I've been remiss in not donating for more than a year. Searches sure help to weed out trouble-makers.

[Roland99]

45. Nope...not me but it does concern me how the polls set the stage for a non-surprising McCain win.

If the polls reflected national sentiment and Obama up by 20%, how could they explain a McCain win?

[JimDandy]

49. Glad you explained that you think the poll numbers are FALSE.

The Repubs have been caught in several lies now concerning their reported attendance figures at McCain rallies. And many other people have been speculating that the poll numbers are also lies. I'm hoping someone in that area of expertise is working on proving that.

[Danascot]

40. Meme: If you're feeling financial pain

thank a Republican.

[Ganja Ninja]

44. The American people have about 50 or so days to wise up.

They have that long to overcome their racists tendencies. They have that long to get a grip on reality and decide what really matters. If they can't or won't then we're headed for WWIII and the second Great Depression all rolled into one. Whether we can or not is doubtful. Either way we'll get what we deserve.

[SharonAnn]

50. Only until Oct. 15th, when Early Voting starts here in TN.

[barack the house]

46. A very well written piece... K&R.

[Diamonique]

47. Love ya, Nance! n/t

[Laelth]

48. Beautifully written, as always, and I hope you're right.

k&r

:dem:

-Laelth

[akbacchus_BC]

51. Another excellent piece, thank you. K&R

[Cha]

52. Too bad it had to get down to Zero for

people to wake up to the shills running the economy.

[thoughtcrime1984]

53. Nance, you are great. K&R with enthusiasm! nt

[OakCliffDem]

54. I am making notes to use in the discussion I have with Republicans. Kick and Recommended

[MarkP]

55. I'm sending copies of this to every republican I know...

This sums it up PERFECTLY!

This is a KEY message.

You have totally deconstructed everything they have been preaching for years!

Vote NO on the Bridge to the Great Depression!!!!!!!!!

[protect our future]

56. Wow!!!!! A masterpiece, Nance. n/t