The power of the Progressive voting block + the Progressive exclusion from the "Big Tent".

[Union Yes]

We on the left have been told to go sit in our corner and SHUT THE FUCK UP.

We're told by the Blue Dog DLC that they know better than we do.

They have a plan and we are hopeless dreamers.

Yet, the DLC Corporocrat"ic" party is rehashing the same failed ideas and policies that have led our nation off a cliff.

A dieing America is the proof.

..................................................

Can Dems get elected without Progressive support?

Think about that.

How would the Corporocrat"ic" Party act if they knew that Progressives would no longer vote for the person with the D next to their name?

Folks, remember the power of the Progressive voting block.

More than powerful enough to sway elections.

How can such a powerful force be silenced?

Because we allowed the DLC to silence us.

The exclusion of Progressives from the so called "Big Tent Democratic Party" is so fucking blatant unless your eyes are glued shut.

Progressives, it is time to open your eyes.

The midterms election will be here before we know it.

Nov 2010 we CAN come out of our corner, tear the duct tape off our mouths and collectively tell Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Max Baucus and the rest of the Corporocratic Party where they can stick their big tent.

If you're feeling let down by the Dem party then do something about it.

....................................................

To the DLC bots here on DU..

Raise your hand if you're happy with the policies/achievements of the current Dem congress.

[xultar]

1. Get over yourself. I can't count how many times DUers wanted to purge Dem Moderates.

We would have looked like the Republicants do right now if we'd done so.

[Union Yes]

3. It's not about me. Do you think we can purge more than half the Party?

This is after all, the most Conservative Dem party that i've seen in my 38 year life.

[xultar]

5. OMG. You must be joking. I'm just saying that so called Progressives were wanting to purge

moderates a few months ago.

And if we had we would have lost and look just like how the Republicans do now with a radical faction taking over the party and purging 1/2 of their party.

We can't purge anyone is what I'm saying. So don't be all Progressives are the victims, you are not.

[peacebird]

45. Hi xultar - I'm not saying I'm a "victim" - I am saying that I will only vote for

people who support a majority if the things I do. I'm not saying anything about "purging" moderates. I am merely saying I will vote for and support people who support the things I do. What possibly could be wrong with that? Surely you don't expect people to vote lockstep for anyone, just because they put a "D" beind their name on the ballot? (Holy Joe Lieberman comes to mind...)

By the way - I am a progressive liberal. I voted for Obama because he was a better choice than McCain. I campaigned hard for him once he won the nomination and I am pleased with the job he has done so far. I fail to see why you are getting all hyper on me just because I say I will vote for and support those whose views agree with mine. Who else WOULD I vote for?
:eyes:

[Kermitt Gribble]

7. "We" don't look much different

from the republicans when they had their majority, except for the fact that they completely silenced the minority party. Other than that, I can't see much difference in policy. Stop thinking of politics as a spectator sport, rooting for your team.

[xultar]

10. So, you think Obama sucks as President?

[Kermitt Gribble]

11. Your post was about a Dem majority in congress

which, in my eyes, has been a huge failure since 2006.

I wouldn't say Obama "sucks" as President, but he isn't exactly earning my vote in the next election.

[HughMoran]

16. Not voting for Obama in 2012?

?

[Kermitt Gribble]

19. Depends

on what happens between now and then. The decision shouldn't be automatic for anyone.

[HughMoran]

20. No it shouldn't

...and i can't imagine suggesting I might be voting for an alternative after just 4 months - that seems excessively reactionary.

[Kermitt Gribble]

21. I never suggested that.

I plainly stated that it depends on what happens between now and then. That's the way it's supposed to work, isn't it? An elected official's re-election hinges on their performance? Do you thought police people have your own badges and all that cool stuff?

[HughMoran]

22. Well, well, well

The old "I got's no arguments, so I'll throw out the good old infantile "thought police" remark."

See how easy that was, now you've admitted to being a reactionary!

[Kermitt Gribble]

27. For what do I need an argument?

You asked whether I would be voting for Obama in 2012 and my reply was that it depends on his performance. That's how the system is supposed to work. Everyone is familiar with your tactics of accusing someone of being an Obama hater then making them defend something they didn't say in the first place. Your shpiel is old and tired.

[Individualist]

24. They don't have badges, just doublespeak

[Kermitt Gribble]

29. And an imaginary conviction of cleverness.

[Zodiak]

30. That tactic is obvious and ham-handed, isn't it?

It takes up a lot of bandwidth, and basically contributes nothing. But some here will try it on anyone strongly critical of Dem performance, especially that of the President.

[Union Yes]

14. I'm split on my support for The Prez, but I'm still with him.

It seems that congress is stopping this President moreso than anything else.

I invested too much both emotionally and financially in our President during his campaign to walk away from him now.

But if things don't change I'll find a progressive to support in 2012.

Please understand that I want to support this President with all my heart. But He and the Dems are making it almost impossible so far.

And I bet deep down you feel the same way.

[HughMoran]

15. Hey, I was just thinking about you tonight

I was wondering if you posted here any more.

Oh, and I agree with you - hearing some describe it, you'd think that nails had been installed only on select "progressive" keyboards.

:eyes:

[peacebird]

2. I'm working to elect more progressives in Va, and will NOT vote for someone just because of "D"

Those days are over, so over. I am back to where I was as a young woman - voting for whoever I believe in regardless of their chances.

I had a period (GWB) where I voted "D" just hoping to defeat "R".

No longer.

[Union Yes]

6. Well said. That's the solution.

I wish it didn't have to be this way but the current Dem so called leadership leaves us little choice.

Peace

[Kermitt Gribble]

4. I won't ever vote a straight 'D' ticket again.

My disillusionment started after the Dem's 06 victory and the continuation of the Repuke status quo. I now have next to no confidence in any Dems, save a few who still cling to our (now former) party ideals. With our current crop of Dinos, I won't be voting Dem in 2012 either - if there isn't a third party candidate that represents my ideals, I just won't vote.

[Union Yes]

8. Remember, your not alone.

Many feel the same way, I'm one of them.

Peace

[tan guera]

13. I'm two of them. :-) n/t

[Individualist]

9. DLC is the elephant in the room

that far too many Democratic voters pretend isn't there or that their agenda is innocent.

Statements by Al From in March 2009:

I am immensely proud of the DLC's success. The DLC has exceeded the dreams I had for it when I formed it in 1985 with a small group of reform-minded governors, senators, and house members.

...the new DLC will be devoted to the battle for reform and ideas, not politics. It will be a reform think tank dedicated to developing, promoting, and enacting an agenda as bold and pragmatic as America's new president. It will work closely with allies in Congress and the administration to make sure President Obama and his reform agenda succeeds.
http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=254927&kaid=86&subid=84

DLC's idea of reform is destruction of progressive policies.

[Union Yes]

12. Nailed it. Thanks

Peace

[L0oniX]

17. I'm voting anti incumbent Dem where ever it's needed ...and it's needed a lot.

[tan guera]

18. If progressives had voted for who they really wanted

instead of who they thought would win,

Kucinich may have won Iowa. Or Nader. Regardless of the lazy corrupt CM.

Our focus should be in taking IA in 2012. Incremental change isn't working well. IMO

[cali]

32. Kucinich NEVER had a ghost of a chance to win Iowa, partly because of

his lousy campaign (he barely campaigned at all in Iowa) and partly because progressives weren't into voting for him. And no the excuse that it was all the corp media doesn't fly. And Nader having a chance to win in Iowa? I have a better chance of winning the lotter from the one ticket a year that I buy.

Reality is a harsh mistress but it's preferable to delusion. Obama will win Iowa in 2012. That's as safe a prediction as can be made.

[DonCoquixote]

23. I will be blunt

Yes, I think Obama is playing too nice with both the new GOP (aka DLC) and the old One, but as bad as things are, I cannot, will not, must not, do anything that allows the GOP to get into the White House ever again. Bush played the moderate card, and we all know how that turned out. Yes, it may feel good to say you voted third party, but even if Al Gore was trying to become the worst, most damaging president in History, he could not have been as bad as W. As far as Cheney goes, even if he were on Death Row in Iran, that man would find a way to play puppet master. We are not safe until he finally croaks.

Congress is another matter, as third parties have a bit more of a shot to actually WIN.

[cali]

33. Third parties have exactly no chance to win until they're built up on the state level

[Pab Sungenis]

35. Then shall we get started?

We can even do it from within, taking back our own party from the ground up.

We need Progressives on town committees, which then puts them on county committees and state committees. That's where the power is.

[Kermitt Gribble]

37. Third parties

don't have to win initially to make an impact. If they generate enough support, they can shape the policies of the 'major' parties (party, in this case, since both Dem and repub parties work for the same master).

[Juche]

25. The progressive caucus in the house makes up 1/3 of the democratic members

According to PEW research there are about 9 classes of political voters, with Liberals making up about 19% of voters and going overwhelmingly for democratic candidates (about 90% of the time).

So yeah, progressives make up 1/3 of the house voters and about 1/3 of democratic voters. So we are a big faction.

[PassingFair]

44. The biggest....problem is the BlueDogs and the NewDems ....

strange bedfellows that they are,
join hands to defeat progressive
legislation when it is necessary.

:cry:

[Dragonfli]

26. The First thing to understand is the DLC/Blue Dog/Third Way "Democrats" support Republican Policy

That is to say that a DLC Democratic victory is only an illusion.
It is quite simply a false flag operation.
The GOP are still in charge, the only difference with the current GOP majority is they are somewhat more moderate(mostly only on social issues) than the Paleo-GOP are.

A false victory can not be expected to carry the change of a true victory.
The corporate citizens alone can be expected to be represented by the current congress.

It is important not to fall for the false flag again. It will not be a victory at all for those that believe in Democratic policies and values but rather a victory for Corporate plan B. This has to get through people's heads before the '10 and '12 elections.

[Kermitt Gribble]

28. Perfect summation

of our current situation! People need to not let themselves be bullied into voting Democratic when a particular Democrat (repuke in disguise, which could describe the current majority of Dems) does not represent their ideals.

[Dragonfli]

39. That does not stop the bullies - so I guess we have to help them see each pol as the policy

they support rather than the name that they sport ;)

[cali]

34. lol. first of all there is no GOP majority. secondly the canard that the dems

are just the same as the repubs is factually incorrect on practically every issue- except for the very important economic front. there's way too much overlap there.

[Dragonfli]

38. I did not say just the same, I said slightly more moderate (mostly re social issues)

You may of course rewrite my post at will, you spend most of your time in attack mode around here and I expect no special treatment.

Yes. You may pretend all you like, but a name does not a thing make but rather substance does. My brother tells me he is a vegetarian, the fact that he eats fast food hamburgers every day for lunch with a steak dinner on Friday makes him a carnivore in fact, no matter what he claims to be. Same with Republican policy dems - name only - hence GOP majority. Sorry about that, but truth lies beyond pretense.

Special note to carnivores - I am one as well, but had lived for years as a vegetarian. No insult to any meat eaters meant. Truth is if I did not dislike so many veggies I would be one now due to my love for animals, I just was not very good at it when I tried it so I will not claim to be a vegetarian now.

[cali]

31. Raising my hand

as happy with my congress critters. Not so happy with the current Congress itself, but I live in the real world, and in the real world Nancy Pelosi doesn't stand a chance of being defeated. If Reid is defeated it'll be by a repuke.

[Pab Sungenis]

36. Some times I wonder if an honest Republican is better than a DINO.

Just as I've said about Obama on gay rights, I'd rather have someone spit in my face than stab me in the back, which is what the fake Democrats are doing.

[KoKo]

40. But..."honest Repugs" still will vote with "Dino Dems." So...what do Progressives gain?

That's the Problem...:-(

[Pab Sungenis]

41. We gain by getting rid of the DINO's.

Then we can put real Democrats in their place next time around.

[Dragonfli]

42. I agree - the best way to fight the false flag operation of

conservatives in Dem drag is to replace them with Democrats that agree with Democratic principles and causes, in other words, as you said, "put real Democrats in their place next time around."

:toast:

[PassingFair]

43. Error: you can only recommend threads which were started in the past 24 hours

The Progressive Caucus is the
largest in the House.

We CAN run primary challenges
against DINO's in safe districts.

Let's ALL work on it!