We should begin now in finding replacements for those who fail to support

[BR_Parkway]

meaningful health care reform (and I'm not simply talking about the giveaways to insurance companies). With the huge majorities of the population that favor a robust public option (and single payer), combined with the overwhelming majorities we sent to Congress with a mandate to get this done - it's become more than obvious that many in the House & Senate are not there to represent us - they can no longer use the same old tired excuses of not having enough Democrats to vote so now they use the line that they don't have enough safe districts, they have to protect the Blue Dogs, they have to basically continue feeding at the trough of lobbyist cash and aren't going to upset that applecart in the least bit on behalf of We, the People.

We also know that the DNC, the DLC and most of the other 'power' groups are going to simply keep coming back for more cash, knowing full well and good that they aren't representing us and have no actual intention to do so.

In little tiny groups, with many small donations - we put the first black man in the White House against all odds. Some of us are disappointed, many of us have complaints with some of the decisions made, not made or people appointed that don't affect "change" - but in the midst of that (and the ensuing bickering) we tend to forget just what a grassroots movement we created during the last election cycle.

It's time for us to begin organizing to put in the candidates that we want, not the ones we have to settle for. The fundraising, the door to door discussions with our neighbors - that energy again could give us a Congress that deserves an approval rating much higher than the current one has earned, right down there with the likes of Dick Cheney. And they've earned it - promises, promises - while continually selling out to the higher bidder.

We know who needs to be replaced - and in one way, the Blue Dogs have done one positive thing for us - they've shown their districts that electing a Democrat (or at least a person with D behind their name) didn't bring down the wrath of God, calamity didn't strike - so the voters in those districts won't be so easily frightened to vote for another one. The prospect of the Tea Baggers running in those districts also makes it a good time to push for this - our more progressive candidates can look very good compared to the bat shittery of the current GOP mindset (and all we need are the Dems and enough Independents to give us 51%)

It also won't hurt in the coming battles to get our agenda enacted for the current crop of sell outs to know that we're recruiting and funding strong primary challengers - there are good men and women in every one of these districts who could be recruited now, if the current back stabbers actually shape up and start acting like the Democrats we sent them there to be to where a primary challenge shouldn't go forward, then we can run the ones we recruit in the State legislatures, there's certainly nothing wrong with increasing good, progressive representatives there either

[MNDemNY]

1. So we must replace most Dems on the Senate, 1/3 in the House. and the White House?

I'm game.

[AlinPA]

2. There are about 40 according to Bart Stupak who are opposed to the health care bill.

[BR_Parkway]

3. At this point, I think most of us are ready to do exactly that

With a few exceptions, there are very few left who seem terribly different than the Republicans. In fact, there seem to be a lot left over from Bush's reign that pretty consistently voted with the Republicans time and time again

[struggle4progress]

4. I'd rather take out rightwing Republicans first

[BR_Parkway]

6. Seems like we've been doing that - and we're still not getting the

results we should

Super majority for the Senate, 40+ majority for the House, the White House - and the lobbyists are still writing the bills, for every industry it seems

[Luminous Animal]

5. From dogcatcher on up. (n/t)