Subject: I'm feel like a cat that needs herding.

[jocapo]

I make the rounds of all of the liberal sites: DU, Firedoglake, EmptyWheel, Kos, TPM, etc. I mostly lurk and learn but occasionally I post. There is so much frustration out there with the way this health care debate is going down but I can't find a clear path to take to push back. I email the Senate, Congress, sign petitions & send groups money but I don't feel like I'm part of a focused concerted effort. Now I feel like our opportunity is slipping away, if it hasn't already. The last several weeks have been so disappointing and have left me with very little hope that a decent bill can be created under the current circumstances: a handful of Senators and Congressman working for their corporate masters and selling out their country.
I do know that the people want real reform and that their are plenty of us engaged in trying to bring it about. Unfortunately we're spread out all over the place like cats without anyone to herd us. Where are the leaders? Where is "real health care reform central"? Can a herd of cats organize themselves and force the leaders to start herding? Unfortunately right now I don't think so, at least not in time to get a decent Health Care plan done.

[Captain Hilts]

1. The debate has gotten out of control. Politically and legislatively. I liked what the Prez

was saying in his Saturday address and Wednesday press conference, but I don't see Dems on capitol hill paying attention at all.

[jocapo]

2. Mixing my metaphors

I feel like anything I do is just beating a dead horse. I've lost the feeling that I can influence the debate in any way whatsoever.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. I'm beginning to fear it to be more like herding a dead horse.

It's not going anywhere.

[704wipes]

5. stop mixing metaphors

:-)

organize a local chapter of the UUU.

[jocapo]

12. UUU?

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. I feel like I'm playing whack-a-mole while surrounded by a herd of cats. But with dead horses.

The public option is not dead.

Did the DU pharmacy run out of panic meds?

[704wipes]

4. here is my suggestion

at
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6168940

Employed people could join up too. They might actually have some money for whay little it would need to start.

[bobbolink]

7. You're right... the "concerted effort" has been missing... for YEARS

And that's why we're in this mess.

The effort should have started YEARS AGO.

Please, read these ideas...it's up to US.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6169070&mesg_id=6169189

[Orsino]

8. Lawmakers steadfastly refuse to address our real concerns that could be answered very simply.

They try to placate us with half-assed sorta-kinda legislation...and then we blame ourselves for a lack of unity?

Blame the goddamned "representatives" for the greatest disjuncture of all. Fix that, and then talk to me about divisions among the Left.

[jocapo]

9. We have to fix the cancer that is the root of the problem...

Campaign Finance Reform. That's an issue that really doesn't get enough attention! The silver lining in the health care debate is it clearly shows how destructive the current system is to our democracy.

[Hannah Bell]

10. which speaks volumes.

[jocapo]

11. Explain...

[Hannah Bell]

13. the failure of the left-leadership to organize people behind an alternative

to push back.