I am a die hard Democrat. BUT >>>

[Avalux]

why can't our Democratic Leaders quit acting like an abused spouse? I have had it up to <HERE> and tired of the concessions, bi-partisanship and playing nice.

I really thought when Democrats were in the White House and controlled Congress there might actually be a chance to change things. Obama should have stood with Dem Reps who wanted Medicare for all and told everyone else to shut the fuck up. He should have set the tone from the beginning.

To re-inforce the abused spouse meme; a bunch of wingnuts brought guns to a town hall meeting. Who doesn't feel intimidated by a man with a gun?? Who has the power in that situation?

Sick of it all.

[Hello_Kitty]

1. So do you blame real abused spouses for their abuse? eom

[Avalux]

2. It's not about blame. Don't hijack my thread.

It's the way they act - as if they're afraid, and the crazy minority are telling them they'd better be afraid.

[GodlyDemocrat]

12. Then don't use such an analogy so flippantly

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. Alas,

I agree with you.

I do not understand the passivity and somnolent behavior on the part of all the Democrats - except for Anthony Weiner, who's going out of his way to make a whole lot of noise, bless his heart and keep him safe.

This administration, on the matter of health care reform, has done nothing but capitulate.

Not at all what I had in mind on January 20, 2009. Watching Afghanistan expand and consume more of our budget, more of our citizens (I lost a neighbor there last week, so I'm kind of pissed), I see another Vietnam. And Obama seems to be heading gladly in that direction.

I don't understand. Maybe there's some secret agenda underneath all this do-nothing pose - maybe there's a Superman under the Clark Kent outfit?

I hope so. I really, really hope so...................................

[Avalux]

4. I don't know. Afghanistan is really bothering me a lot today too.

I listened to Obama talk to the Vets and so much of what he said sounded like Shrub. It made me really angry because there doesn't seem to be an end in sight and while we're arguing taking care of sick people, billions and billions are still going to the wars.

I am disheartened by the extremes the other side goes to for the sheer shock value and Dems refusing to fight back. Makes me wonder if we weren't all scammed.

I'm having a bad day though, so I hope this will pass and I hope you're right about the Clark Kent thing.

[snappyturtle]

5. I'm also tired of hearing we have to fight for a healthcare system

that will be free of the lobbyists and helpful to all. THAT is what I fought for in 2006 and again in 2008 thinking (dumb me) that we would have reliable representatives to assure passage of our ideals without all the fighting!!! I, too, am sick of it all.

[Avalux]

6. Exactly. What the hell were we doing anyway?

What will it take to elect people that actually represent our interests? And I'm not talking about Dem interests - I'm talking about all Americans - the public good. I'm afraid the public good is extinct.

[Edweird]

7. My sentiments as well.

[blueknight]

8. to say this administration

has been a disappointment, is a understatement. i really never expected much from pelosi, but obama is acting like he is afraid to make the republicans mad. who gives a fuck about them? that is one thing i will say about bush, as much as i despised him, rather his idea was good or bad, he went with it and didnt care what anyone thought

[Political Heretic]

9. Why would anyone be proud to say the were a "die hard" (insert party here)

You know what I'm die hard about? Social justice, human rights and civil liberties. When politicians sellout the best interests of American people for the interests of their corporate sponsors, it really doesn't matter what cute little letter they have after their name, now does it?

"The world is my country, to do good my religion" ....should add to this quote, the people are my party.

[Avalux]

10. You've got a point. Thanks for that.

Perhaps I'm naive but I've always thought the Demcratic Party represented all those things.

[Political Heretic]

11. Yes, you are (were). But take no offense, so was I for many many years.

I'm not saying anything toward you that I wouldn't say about myself and my own past. I grew up in a deeply conservative family, and as I advanced in my education, it became clear that the so-called "conservatism" of the GOP was exploitative, selfish and socially destructive...

...my natural assumption was that Democrats were the opposite of Republicans, so I rushed to identify with them. Over the years, I've discovered that it turns out they're not opposites at all - they are parallels. They have differences between them, but only within set parameters, and when it comes to the interests of the powerful and privileged, they are both moving in the same direction, even if there is space between them.

There are still strategic reasons, at times, to vote for Democrats - so no, I'm not here trying to sell you on some third party or sell you on anything for that reason. But when we vote for Democrats, we need to do so with the full understanding that we are not getting representatives that stand fundamentally against the establishment which serves the powerful, and thus the kinds of action we can expect are limited.

What's tragic is to vote for Democrats because you actually think that somehow they're going to bring us a country that actually responsibly serves ordinary people in a comprehensive way, rather than supporting policy that exploits people to line the pockets of big business, with a few programs here and there to make the exploitation a little more humane for the exploited.