Democrats are a team/ lets act like it a little more

[cleveramerican]

We win as team
We loose as a team.
We have had some pretty big wins this year.
You'd never know it by the tone in here(with a few exceptions).
We are all so unaccustomed to humility in a president.
Is humility undesirable in a president?
Would we all feel better if the president was more at ease touting his own accomplishments?
Or would we say he's gotten too self-important?

Its just too easy to find fault in our teams actions.
Pushing too hard/not pushing hard enough
Making too many deals/ not making the right deals.
We all become special interest groups of 1.

Why do we democrats tend to unify only around victory or defeat?
How do we get democrats to stick together in the midst of the fight?

Why do we fall into the trap of ripping ourselves apart over and over in the name of diversity of opinion?

I am guilty also, I fall into these traps myself, even though I know better.
I have no answer, but I'll keep looking
In the meantime lets all just feel a little better that we are tip toeing through this minefield of political issues pretty successfully so far.

[MadHound]

1. Except for the fact that some members of that "team" are getting ignored, or actively hammered

Why should I work with a team that doesn't reward my efforts? Why should I work with a team that is actively out to destroy my profession, and thus by extension myself? Why should I put myself out there anymore for this party when every time I've done so I've gotten burned by self same party? Sorry, but the lesser of two evils argument isn't cutting it anymore as both parties continue to draw closer and closer together on their positions, until that dime's worth of difference has now become just a couple of cents.

[Name removed]

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[MadHound]

5. Hmm, do you own this site?

Are you an admin? If not, then you have no right to be telling me whether I should go or should stay.

You don't like what I have to say, then join me in changing that situation. My profession, teaching, is under direct assault by this administration. As a result, I directly effected, namely I can't find a job in the field that I was aiming for. Instead, teachers are being fired by the thousands while Obama cheers it on. Doesn't do much to endear him to the hearts of teachers and those who care about them.

This isn't your board, if you want to prevent people from complaining about administration policy, get your own boards and seal yourself in your own little echo chamber. Until then, deal with it. Or help us put an end to this assault on public education.

[RBInMaine]

6. Hm, no, but I am one of many sick and tired of the bitching and moaning. Not happy? Then go help

elect RePUKES and see how happy you are with them in charge. With Dems we got the stimulus WHICH SAVED MY JOB, SO DON'T GIVE ME YOUR ANTI-DEMOCRATIC PARTY CRAP! We also got health reform with a great deal for college students, the Lilly Leadbetter fair pay law, some small-business tax incentives, middle class tax cuts from which I also benefitted, and most of all a President with some brains. All ideological extremists can do is bitch and moan. Not happy, then go and actually ELECT more people that you'd be happy with. If you can't actually get them ELECTED, then quit your bitching and count your blessings for a change.

[MadHound]

8. Nice your job was saved,

However mine wasn't, so I sitting here unemployed, with no job and no prospects for one. Meanwhile, the Dems are backing down from a fight on unemployment.

Sorry that the majority of people don't see the world through the same rose colored glasses that you do, but the truth has a way of stripping away illusions. HCR is already turning out to be a nightmare, one that's only going to get worse. Those tax incentives came at the expense of 16 billion dollars that would have otherwise gone to school repair and construction, which is a better form of stimulus than any tax cut( don't believe me, go ask any economist).

While you personally may be doing well under this administration, millions are caught up in the tragedy of a jobless recovery, a recovery that is looking increasingly like it will slip back into another downturn. And again, in my profession, my area of expertise, this administration is attacking it, and by extension me personally. Let me ask you this, if a president was attacking your profession, would you feel like cheering him on? Yeah, I didn't think so. Same thing is happening with teachers.

You can demand that people stop complaining about this administration, but that won't change the facts on the ground. Teachers, anti-war folks, leftists in general are being hung out to dry by this administration, and unless there is a serious turnaround and this administration starts awarding these people rather than attacking them, the Democratic party is going to be in serious trouble, not just this fall but in 2012. You can't continue to, at best ignore, at worst continue to beat down large segments of your political base and expect them to respond favorably towards you in an election.

Sorry you can't deal with these facts, sorry you can't deal with reality. As I suggested before, perhaps you should go out and start your own board, one where you can be safe in your own echo chamber. Until then you have to deal with the unpleasant prospect of dealing with people like myself who are less than enamored with Obama and the Dems in general.

Or there is one other option you have, join us in stopping this ongoing assault on public education by this administration:shrug:

[RBInMaine]

18. Last I heard this was "Democratic Underground," not "Bitch About Democrats Underground." And

maybe you're the one who needs to get into "reality." Obama inherited the WORST recession since the Great Depression. We were losing 700,000 jobs a month. In a year and a half, things are turning around. Slowly maybe, but just what in all hell did you expect? For us to be generating a million jobs a month within a year? This was a profoundly deep recession, and in his INAUGURAL and at other times Obama said it would take YEARS to recover. But, at least we are back from the brink THANKS to the stimulus and other measures. We are at least now starting to create jobs again. I hear and understand your circumstances, but on balance, this nation as a whole is FAR better off with Obama and Dems than with RePUKES in charge. Are you actually saying you'd be better off if McCain and Palin were in charge? Would you be happier? Yeah, for too many people right now these remain tough times. But Obama and Dems sure as hell didn't cause it, and they are trying to fix it MUCH more than RePUKES, who have dissolved into TeaBagger rightwing nutjobs. People need to get real and understand the alternatives. It's either Dems or RePUKES, and the Dems are a hell of a lot better !

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

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[MadHound]

33. Sadly typical,

Criticize the president and you bring out the baby analogies. Stay classy with that one. However the trouble with that tactic is it blinds you to the real suffering, and the real criticisms that people have about this administration.

I wasn't expecting miracles from Obama, neither were most other people. But we weren't expecting to have an all out war waged on our profession by a president that we worked for and supported. This isn't a matter of cleaning up Bush's messes, this is a matter of Obama making things worse for teachers, educators, and ultimately children under his watch. The first rule of any recovery effort is not to make things worse, but that is what Obama has done.

So continue your ways, keep yourself blindered, stay in that echo chamber, I don't care. But whatever you do, don't be surprised when Obama loses in '12. He is pissing off his base on so many fronts that the question has become who is going to vote for him in enough numbers come election time.

[riverdale]

93. +1

My wife is a teacher who is now so disillusioned with politics, and especially Obama, that she may never vote again. We were BADLY burned by this stealth right-wing asshole president.

[depakid]

9. Posts like this represent the very attitude that cause the Dems to lose

With any luck, you're not going to be working on campaigns in any position where you have to deal with the public- because people with valid complaints about the effects of policies (and public statements) on their profession generally prefer not to be called "ideological extremists."

Not the best face to put on your candidate or your party.

[RBInMaine]

11. Oh please. Vast differences between online forums and street campaigning. Been at it awhile.

[Exilednight]

99. There's not much difference between face to face and political forums ......

in case you missed it, Obama was able to win thanks to generation 2.0. You know who they are, don't you? It's the generation that is tech savvy, and uses the internet to gather their news, promote their beliefs and air their grievances.

You might of been at this a while, and if that is the case, then you have been at this too long and are now out of touch with the new reality.

So keep running your fingers across your keyboard and telling people how wrong they are and how their grievances don't matter to someone who holds an official position within their local Democratic party.

I'm not going to vote for a republican for President, but on the other hand, I might just skip the Presidential box all together come 2012.

[Lost4words]

15. seems to me you are violating the spirit of the new rules.

you are one of those who thinks we are getting change, You are happy, from my view point you have missed something. But keep telling people what to do , that shows the kind of democrat you must be.

[RBInMaine]

22. One hell of a lot more change than with McCain and Palin. So kindly enter reality.

[Raineyb]

70. That is a piss poor argument. NO ONE here is saying that they'd have voted for

McLame. They're not saying it now. But they do expect the party they actually voted for to do something for their interests and your response is "screw you you're not seeing things as they are." I'd argue that YOU are not the one dealing with reality and your poor coping skills are making your arguments, such that they are, sound weak and pathetic.

Of course it is your right to behave so abusively but don't be surprised when it comes time to do the work that you're finding volunteers hard to find. People who are screwed over don't as a rule work for you again.

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

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[Raineyb]

68. That whole team analogy doesn't work when parts of the "team" are yelling "I got mine screw you."

And it's easy to say go get people elected, until you realize that the "team" is sabotaging your candidates.

But hey I'm sure all is well in La la land. Some of us have to live in reality.

[RBInMaine]

7. Teaching is NOT "under assault" by Obama and Dems. First, the stimulus SAVED thousands of teacher

jobs. The DEMOCRATIC bill that RePUKES just filibustered had money to again SAVE teacher jobs. BLAME THE REPUKES ! They are the ones who despise public education, NOT Dems. In Maine, Race To The Top provisions are being implemented in a balanced way. We have set up a board of stakeholders including union members and teachers to form the policy. Test scores will be only ONE of many measures to evaluate teachers, as should be the case. In Maine, our DEMOCRATIC governor candidate just got the endorsement of the Maine teacher union. Democrats remain MUCH more of a friend to public education than the RePUKElicans who want to destroy it entirely with their vouchers, religious schools, ideological curricula (i.e. Texas), and making test scores the ONLY measure on which to evaluate teachers (i.e. Florida RePUKES - luckily vetoed by Crist). There are MANY issues to consider, not just one. On balance, you are MUCH better off with Dems than RePUKES.

[depakid]

10. Mos of the teachers I know would beg to differ

and all that aid to the states that got stripped out of the stimulus? Who do you think is bearing the brunt of that?

This quite aside from education policy or comments in support about firing an every teacher in an entire school in front of the Chamber of Commerce.

[RBInMaine]

12. Tens if not hundreds of thousands of teacher and service jobs were saved by the stimulus.

[depakid]

14. End of story for tone deaf shallow thinkers, maybe

Yep, teachers and teachers unions have been really pleased- as have many of our other key constituencies.

If things have been so grand, why do you think that the most pathetic bunch of Republicans to ever "grace" the national stage are poised to take the House and make big gains in the Senate?

Just a year ago, it looked as though they'd be relegated to the fringe where they belong for a generation.

[Lost4words]

16. good reply post! nt

[RBInMaine]

30. Then whine less and vote more. And I don't think the TeaBaggers are going to take the Congress.

[depakid]

39. When did I hear that before? Oh, yeah... I remember

1994.

[inna]

81. no, it's you who's whining and being abusive and insulting.

[MadHound]

17. FOR ONE GODDAMN YEAR!

Now they are being cast out by the tens of thousands as the administration cheers, CHEERS their departure.

If public school districts want federal money now, they have to grub around for it on the ground like beggars. And even if they do get it, there are many strings attached that are designed to ultimately privatize education in this country. And even then, as part of the conditions of RTTT money, many teachers are let go.

You have absolutely no clue about what is going on in education, I suggest you go educate yourself. There are many fine posters around here who are keeping up with the subject, I suggest you do some reading. However be warned, these aren't sycophantic posts, they are hostile and despairing of what this administration is doing and has done to our public education system.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

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[MadHound]

34. Check out his comments concerning the mass firings in Central Falls RI

Firing a whole school district is apparently fine with him. Do a bit more research and you'll find other instances of this occurring as well.

[RBInMaine]

24. Better than ZERO god damn years. And he is also trying to renew it, no thanks to RePUKES.

[MadHound]

35. Ooo, tell you what, would you be overjoyed if your job was to disappear a year from now?

Especially when it could be prevented? No, I didn't think so.

[treestar]

60. So if your job were to exist, you'd be supporting the POTUS?

Sounds like you are only about you - exactly what OP means - no team!

[MadHound]

77. It isn't about my job here, it is about this administration's ongoing war on public education

Please, do try to keep up.

[msongs]

28. insulting DU members is always your best strategy lololol nt

[MadHound]

36. Ah, so telling the truth and criticizing the president on his actions is now "insulting DU members."

Stay classy with that:eyes:

[MissDeeds]

62. +1000

Thanks for this well reasoned post. I agree completely.

:toast:

[Dinger]

74. Thank You Mad Hound

I agree with you 100%.:loveya:

[treestar]

44. We're supposed to believe you personally know enough teachers

for a representative sample and believe you about what their opinions are?

I know several teachers who are still staunch Democrats - now that's even. So go on to something of substance.

[MadHound]

13. Funny you bring up the stimulus bill,

First of all, sixteen billion dollars worth of stimulus money designated for school construction and repair was axed in favor of more tax cuts, the least effective form of stimulus. Not to mention that while the stimulus money did help save teachers jobs last year, it did not carry over to this year. So thus we're treated to the spectacle of teachers being fired by the tens of thousands.

Meanwhile, as teachers are being fired, Obama and Duncan have cheered on such firing, as they did in Central Falls RI. And the RTTT money that you tout, well let me put it this way, I'm glad your state got it rather than mine. The strings on that money are long, and lead to privatization of education (one example, your state laws concerning number of charter schools is now gone).

Test scores aren't the only measure, but they are the most important one. Our education system is being destroyed by testing, testing and more testing, but rather than doing the right thing and repealing NCLB and ending such testing, the Obama administration has doubled down on testing.

As far as teacher satisfaction goes, well teachers might endorse your candidate for governor, but they are not happy with the Democrats on a national level. Don't believe me, just stroll over to GD, or check out the news in real live. Being on many education mailing lists and subscriptions, I see letter after letter, article after article on teachers who feel let down and betrayed by the Dems and the Obama administration. This is real, and it will effect elections.

But frankly, the difference between the parties is getting to the point where I'm not "better off" with either party in power. One simply places a different emphasis on where they will engage, but they are still both out to do corporate America's bidding and reduce the rest of us to serfs. If Clinton's administration didn't demonstrate this to you clearly enough, then Obama's certainly should. Nothing like handing over a mandated monopoly to the insurance industry as a way of say "hey, I'm yours."

I recognize that you don't deal with the truth well. Again, I suggest that you find your own space, where you control the rules and create your own echo chamber. It's apparent that it is too distressing for you to deal with reality, you know, the place where teachers like me are thrown overboard by a callous administration.

[Exilednight]

100. The thing that really pisses me off about the whole school thing is the fact that Obama is .....

pushing for more charter schools. Sadly, the more charter schools we open here in NY, the more our public schools fail. Even once good public schools are becoming mediocre at best. The problem, charter schools are suppose to be heavily financed by private money, yet a good percentage of their income comes from public tax money, which in turn is taken away from public schools.

Charter schools are republican ideology that is being championed by our democratically elected Democratic President.

[Odin2005]

107. Arne Duncan is a supporter of Privitization of Public Schools through the back door.

AKA the "Charter School Movement". Duncan is just as much The Enemy as the Pukes are.

[treestar]

43. Such a martyr. The Administration is not after your profession

Geez, what about other people in other professions, too? Only you count?

No politician needs your support; it's never going to be there unless you are personally served; just not worth it for someone representing an entire district, state or country.

[MadHound]

50. Really, then tell me how come teachers are being fired by the thousands,

And the president cheers it on? Tell my why the president is attaching strings to public school money that furthers the cause of private, corporate schools in this country? Tell me how come Obama is not only following Bush's failed education policies, but further expanding upon them?

Sounds like an attack on both public education and our children in general.

[treestar]

59. Teachers are not being fired by the 1000s

President Obama would not be cheering it on.

NCLB is still the law. Do you think a new President can clear out all existing laws?

[MadHound]

78. Please pay attention to what is going on in the world around you.

<http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/nyregion/06budget.html>

Thousands being fired in just NYC, this scenario is being played out across the country.

<http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/mar2010/teac-m02.shtml>

Obama's thoughts on education "reform": “Strategies like transforming schools from top to bottom by bringing in a new principal,” the president said, “and training teachers to use more effective techniques in the classroom. Strategies like closing a school for a time and reopening it under new management, or even shutting it down entirely and sending its students to a better school. And strategies like replacing a school’s principal and at least half of its staff.”

Yes, NCLB is still law, a law that is doing a huge disservice to one generation of students already, and continuing to do so to another. Meanwhile Obama is looking to renew NCLB, passing the nightmare on down the road. So much for clearing out existing law:shrug:
<http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2010/0202/Education-reform-Can-Obama-s-budget-rescue-No-Child-Left-Behind>

[Number23]

76. What? Where??

teachers are being fired by the thousands, And the president cheers it on?

What on earth are you talking about??

[MadHound]

79. Post 78, just above you. n/t

[Number23]

87. 1) What does the mayor of NY cutting teachers have to do with the President?

and 2) specifically, where has Obama "cheered" (to use your word) the proposed cutting of these teachers which hasn't even happened yet contrary to your earlier post?

[MadHound]

88. Did you even read the links?

You asked the questions "what" and "where" in regards to my post regarding the fact that thousands of teachers are getting fired this year, and that Obama has been cheering it on.

I included a link to the NY Times article to show that yes, thousands of teachers are getting fired, and a link to the World Socialist web site to show, yes, Obama is applauding, cheering on mass firings of teachers, namely those who were fired in Central Falls RI.

Please do try to keep up.

[Number23]

101. See that's your problem. I DID read your links (well, the only one from a reputable source)

and it doesn't come close to bolstering your arguments.

You posted "teachers are being fired by the thousands and the President CHEERED!!one!" and I asked where were they being fired "by the thousands" and where did the President cheer? You then link to a NYT article that says Bloomberg MAY have to fire 6,700 teachers to keep within budget.

1) MAY have to fire does not mean DID fire as you alluded to in your first post
2) Michael Bloomberg is not the President of the US last time I checked and
3) Obama, who actually is the President, is not even quoted in the article you presented let alone characterized as "cheering" the potential firing of these teachers.

As for your World Socialist article, I didn't even click the link as that publication is about as credible as a bedtime story. If teachers are being fired "by the thousands" and Obama is "cheering this on," surely you can find something better than WSW to back you up.

You need to keep up with your own self.

[moriah]

109. Here's three other links about the Rhode Island school.

Obama Backs Rewarding Districts That Police Failing Schools

WASHINGTON — President Obama said Monday that he favored federal rewards for local school districts that fire underperforming teachers and close failing schools, saying educators needed to be held accountable when they failed to fix chronically troubled classrooms and curb the student dropout rate.

The president outlined his proposal to offer $900 million in federal grants, which would be made available to states and school districts willing to take aggressive steps to turn around struggling institutions or close them.

The president’s proposal, which was included in his 2011 budget request to Congress, is his latest criticism of America’s failing public schools. In a speech at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Obama said federal aid would be available for the districts that are home to the 2,000 schools that produce more than half of the nation’s dropouts.

He spoke alongside former Secretary of State Colin Powell and his wife, Alma, who lead America’s Promise Alliance, an advocacy group dedicated to combating the school dropout rate.

“We know that the success of every American will be tied more closely than ever before to the level of education that they achieve,” Mr. Obama said. “The jobs will go to the people with the knowledge and the skills to do them. It’s that simple.”

He singled out Central Falls High School in Rhode Island, where last week the school board voted to dismiss the entire faculty as part of a turnaround plan for the school, which has a 48 percent graduation rate.

At Central Falls High, he said, just 7 percent of 11th graders passed state math tests. Mr. Obama said he supported the school board’s decision to dismiss the faculty and staff members. “Our kids get only one chance at an education and we need to get it right,” he said.

On the Rhode Island school firings:

88 teachers to receive pink slips

Superintendent Frances Gallo announced this month she would fire the teachers at the low-performing school for refusing an improvement plan. It includes an extra 25 minutes in the school day, required teachers to offer tutoring to students and forced teachers to get two weeks of summer training.

The teachers' union says it wants more pay for the additional work. Teachers, along with their supporters, held a rally at 4 p.m. on Tuesday to protest the decision.

Article on the resolution to the Central Falls High School debacle:

Central Falls High School Will Rehire Everybody After Firing All Teachers

The two sides said a transformation plan for Central Falls High School for the coming school year would allow the roughly 87 teachers, guidance counselors, librarians and other staffers who were to lose their jobs at the end of this year to return without having to reapply. More than 700 people had already applied for the positions.

The agreement calls for a longer school day, more after-school tutoring and other changes.

"What this means is that they have come to an agreement about a reform effort and that will change the quality" of the education program at Central Falls, said Rhode Island Education Commissioner Deborah Gist, who applauded both sides for working together.

It seems like the firings were a "nuclear option" similar to strikes to try to get the parties to reach agreement about how to improve the school.

[Number23]

111. Thanks for your links and attempts to help the previous poster provide some info

Your links are helpful but still don't corroborate in any way his/her accusation that "teachers are being fired by the thousands" and that "Obama cheered this on."

I still appreciate the info you contributed even though I was already aware of the situation in Rhode Island.

[moriah]

112. I didn't say they were honestly...

... and I thought that accusation was hyperbole. I compared what was done more to strikes than to "firing thousands of teachers while Obama cheered".

But I thought you would appreciate links that weren't from WSWS.org. Glad you did. :)

[inna]

82. lol what a stupid, ignorant and insulting comment.

[PassingFair]

102. Democrats will LOSE without the support of teachers.

Its interesting that YOUR strategy involves
throwing the entire profession of "teaching"
under the bus if it is politically expedient.

Clinton could NEVER have been elected if
it hadn't been for the networks of teachers
that supported his campaign.

[donco6]

105. "No politician needs your support"

That says it all.

[Bluenorthwest]

40. Way to build team spirit!

[spiritual_gunfighter]

52. That was rude

I wasnt aware you decided who goes and who stays.

[Catherina]

53. That's the spirit! Bury your head in the sand. Isolate yourself into a fantasyland,

cuss out people who pay attention & tell them to go away lest they disturb your dreamworld AND then come 2012, sit there wringing your hands and bitching about Nader or another 3rd party candidate who *stole* your votes.

With attitudes like yours, the Democrats don't need enemies.

[MissDeeds]

58. What is with you???

This is the second time today you've told someone to get off DU. Didn't you read Skinner's new rules about respecting posters with differing ideas? Get a grip! You have no more right to post here than anyone else.

[spoony]

64. You must be such a wonderful teacher.

Lol.

"Quit yer bitchin' Billy! Go whine to someone who cares, like no one!"

[inna]

80. how about you "go whine elsewhere". what a fucked up comment.

[RBInMaine]

29. Check out Maddow's video touting Obama's MANY accomplishments for some "reality."

[MadHound]

38. Don't have to,

I live with the reality of Obama's actions concerning public education every single day. Graduated with honors, districts would love to have me teach. Trouble is, there is no money for education unless your state wins the Race to the Bottom funding and completely sells out future generations' education opportunities.

But hey, we have money to continue to waste billions on illegal, immoral wars. While our civilian population at home continues to suffer. That's one hell of a set of priorities there our president has.

[demtenjeep]

57. As a teacher, I am not going to bash President Obama

in the 15 years I have been teaching, we have had many ups and downs with education. Ultimately, it is the states and their budgets that are hurting us. that and W's NCLB

[RBInMaine]

32. You have your OPINION and I have mine. You choose to complain to no end. I choose to see the glass

half full. Don't worry, I'm plenty "educated" on the issues. Perhaps you should start "educating" yourself on the complexities of many of the issues on which you claim to be an expert, educate yourself on the complexitities of the governing process in a large and diverse nation, and stop shutting down your mind to all of the positives with Obama and Dems especially as compared to the TeaHater RePUKElicans. You have these choices: don't vote, vote for Dems, or vote for RePUKES. Which do you think is going to provide the better result? Do you really think you are going to be happier with RePUKES in charge? Oh, there is one more option, at least in the next cycle: go out and nominate and ELECT someone who you think is better than Obama and other Dems. Hm, who would that be? Nader? Kucinich? Sanders? Yeah right. Keep dreaming. Can't get them elected President? Then count your blessings. Or, go skulk off pissed off forever and hide under a rock and don't vote. I'll send you a blanket and some milk and cookies, because that's what little kiddies do.

[spoony]

65. Yeah because you totally sound like a cheery, optimistic sort. nt

[treestar]

42. Because of the good of the country?

You're looking for personal reward? That's like corruption. You can't get that until you put up a lot more than mere support. You're looking at it backwards. It's not a consumer item.

[MadHound]

47. Ahh, so for the good of the country we must destroy public education,

Enrich private corporations, and wreak havoc on one or more generations of our children. How selfish of we teachers to oppose that, yes, we're certainly looking for personal reward in that:eyes:

[papadog]

46. This site isn't only for BLUEDOG DEMs

If you don't like what you read you can go somewhere else. MadHound is right, elepahnt shit or donkey shit- it's still shit.

[cleveramerican]

48. Special interest group of 1

congratulations on your laser like reading comprehension

[MadHound]

49. Let's see, there are approximately 3.1 million teachers in the US

And approximately fifty million public school students in this country.

Tell me how that is a "special interest group of 1?" Speaking of reading comprehension:eyes:

[Nikki Stone1]

75. Teaching is the #1 occupation (by the numbers) in the US

Of course, now, the lead spot has been taken by the occupation of "unemployed".

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RBInMaine]

4. Aw c'mon. Typos happen. Relax.

[cleveramerican]

51. THIS is what you took away from my OP?

what have we become?

[Dr.Phool]

55. Kind of hard to take you seriously, when you can't spell a four letter word.

Or is that a fore letter word?

And that spelling is so common around here, I don't think it's a typo.

[Jamastiene]

20. Too bad some of us have been told to just stay on the bench and STFU...

because it's not time yet, we make too much noise, we don't look right, we don't act right, we are not the face the party wants seen or heard, our issues are pet issues, we are not subservient enough, we want too much, we don't swoon just right over rightist politicians, etc.

:(

[NorthCarolina]

31. +1

[Dr.Phool]

54. I'm taking their esteemed advice.

And I assume that they don't want any more of my money, either.

[treestar]

61. You certainly sound like a victim

IMO you will always be one. You can't belong to a team if your pet issues come first and it's your way and priorities or the highway. You can't get the majority to go along with you or even a section of the majority, like the Democrats.

[spoony]

66. Ooh, the "victim mentality" card.

Haven't seen that one lately. Well, besides the usual players like Rush and Beck and company.

[Name removed]

85. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cornermouse]

67. We've been told over and over and over

that we aren't needed, that we aren't wanted. We've been attacked and swarmed. Good. Luck.

[saracat]

72. We are not members of a Team. This isn't a sports forum.

And I certainly would never support a TEAM that wants to eliminate my profession. Or destroy the manner in which it is conducted.I stand with the teachers and I am truly said that anyone would think their concern was trivial.I also stand with all those supporting Civil Rights, the unemployed and Reproductive freedom as well as Peace. If those are "pet issues" to you, I can't imagine what you think defines the Democratic Party There are no "pet issues" in the Democratic party. A bridge to nowhere is a pet issue. People and liberty are not pet issues.

[socialist_n_TN]

103. Yep I get pretty tired of the STFU posts to

If you don't like something, then you MUST want President Palin. Like that computes.

My answer is that I AM helping the Obama administration's centrist agenda. I'm the "bad cop" Democrat. I advocate the MOST left wing positions I can, as LOUD as I can, so he can point to me and say, "This is what you'll get if you don't enact my centrist agenda." So I AM supporting the President.

[saltpoint]

25. Some of the early profiles on Howard Dean told the

stories of people volunteering for his campaign, in some cases traveling to Iowa to work there canvassing, etc., and then pairs of them falling in love.

Struck me as a very satisfying outcome to truly worthy work. Good for those people.

Who's to say Democrats should not take this "Dean model" and expand their personal horizons for the 2010 election?

Whether you are looking for romance or a relationship or more liberal friends or just something very worth doing, why not volunteer at your county Democratic organization? In many states a U.S. Senate seat is in play, plus all our Congress critters, and any number of down-ballot candidates who deserve support.

The bluer the better.

[RBInMaine]

26. Great Post and Spot On ! We have tons of accomplishments, and plenty of anti-RePUKE ammo.

[saltpoint]

27. Hi, RBInMaine.

Long time no see, and it's good to run into you on the boards.

Yep. Even if there is not a Senate race in a given state there are all kinds of people running for State and County elections who need volunteers. They need the support and deserve it.

A political effort does not have to "spectacular" to be exciting and rewarding.

:hi:

[Phx_Dem]

37. +1

[treestar]

41. Rec'd. Those who win need our support so they can get things done

They are not all powerful once elected. That's a good thing about our system of government.

People ranting on about how Obama is not doing enough for them cause him to lose support and so what he wants cannot be done.

[JVS]

56. Rah rah rah! Go team!

[LWolf]

63. We obviously don't spell as a team.

My team is losing.

If you support the Obama/Duncan privatization and union busting weapon of public education destruction, you aren't on my team.

If you support the "war on terror" you are not on my team.

My team is focused on issues, not personalities. If you ARE on my team, what are you doing to pressure the current administration and Congress on the above issues?

[Sebastian Doyle]

95. +1000

[arcadian]

69. The beatings will stop when morale improves

Hilarious. Let's be a team!

Too bad a lot of our team sucks!

"You'd never know it by the tone in here(with a few exceptions)."

.

[pecwae]

91. How will we know

when morale has improved enough? Who'll be left standing?

[OwnedByFerrets]

71. The only TEAM I see in Washington

is the team made up of Corporations and Politicians.

[bvar22]

73. That "GO TEAM" Pep Rally worked on me...

....when I was in High School.

When I graduated from High School, and moved into the Real World of Political Activism, I found that The ISSUES are far more important than some blind allegiance to a Brand Name, especially a Brand that has obviously changed the contents of its package but kept the old label.

I will help politicians who are moving toward the goals I consider important.
I will oppose those who are heading in the WRONG direction.

[laughingliberal]

86. It is about issues and policy. I'm not sure why that is so hard for some to see.

Always appreciate your focus on the issues which affect so many of us.

[Odin2005]

108. I refuse to side with fools who treat Politics as a team sport.

To those people winning is all that matters. Policies don't matter, doing what is right does not matter, just "winning" matters. Those people are not Liberals and never have been.

[Catherina]

83. No team of mine supports spending 3.6 billion a month on the Afghanistan war alone

Homelessnes! Unemployment! Child hunger! No medical care! Foreclosures! Unemployment! The Gulf of Mexico DYING! No relief in sight!

Yet we spend $3.6 billion a month in Afghanistan. 3.6 Billion! And that's a 2009 figure before Obama ramped things up!

U.S. spending $3.6 billion a month in Afghanistan according to CRS report
By Roxana Tiron - 10/14/09 05:08 PM ET


The U.S. spends about $3.6 billion a month in Afghanistan, according to data provided by the Congressional Research Service recently.

The average cost per month is calculated at an average 51,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, but that number likely will go higher with the 68,000 troops the Obama administration already is planning on having in that country, and could double if President Barack Obama backs a reported request from Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander in Afghanistan, to send as many as 40,000 more troops to the country.

...

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/63121-crs-calculates-cost-of-us-troop-presence-in-afghanistan

It's nauseating. If this is what the *team* supports, count me out. No Sir. No Siree. No dice. If we can't stand for the right things, winning means nothing.

[Moochy]

97. $3,600,000,000.00 / 50 Al Qaeda terrorists = 72,000,000 per terrorist per month

Let me google that for you!

http://www.google.com/search?q=3,600,000,000.00/50

[Catherina]

104. There's no way to justify that. Thanks for those figures Moochy

It looks even worse that way n/t

[Beacool]

84. The Democratic party is a political party, not a cult, not a sect.

There are millions of people in the party and their ideology varies from very left to conservative. You can't expect everyone to be goose stepping to the same tune.

I see nothing wrong in holding Obama's feet to the fire. Should he be treated any different than the other 43 presidents who preceded him?

:shrug:

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

90. I can't argue with anything you've said. I would just add that the reverse also applies

to the more leftist here. That is, a part of the coalition is more moderate. The most liberal can't expect the moderates to want to alway go along to their tune and always agree with their criticisms. Also, holding the president's feet to the fire is fine, burning them off isn't too helpful.

[Beacool]

98. Well, this is a mostly progressive blog.

Moderate views are not particularly welcomed, but I would dare to think that most of the party is closer to the center than to the far left.

[LatteLibertine]

89. Essentially I agree

People may express concerns or desires for change in a constructive and positive manner. They should remain active and engaged.

Party morale is important. Low party morale = lower voter turn out. A powerless Democratic party doesn't do a Democrat any good.

If the party has majority power we always stand a chance of influencing Democrats to implement our wishes if we gather an appropriate number of voices and point them in the right direction.

Republican rule renders Democratic agendas or wishes meaningless because there is no channel for their application.

Sabotaging the Democratic party because you may not be able to get the candidate you desire elected is not the best path towards reformation. Democrats you dislike may not conform to your desires and Republicans will not. One may be probable and the other is certain.

No one is saying people should surrender their ideals or desires for this or that reformation. We should work towards them in a positive constructive manner that will allow their realization.

[Name removed]

92. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cleobulus]

94. This OP, tells me everything I need to know, and everything that is wrong, about American Politics.

This isn't a fucking game people, Jesus Fucking Christ, people cheer for the Dems, mindlessly, without any concept for things like nuance, or even examining policy positions.

Seriously, learn to think on your own, the Democratic Party are worth supporting ONLY when they have better policy positions than the primary opposition(the Repukes), and have an opportunity to affect change. Once either of those conditions change, then so would my support for the party.

[cleveramerican]

113. do you enjoy republican rule?

cause if your against the Dems, Your with them.

[Cleobulus]

116. Are you literate?

Because you sure as hell don't know how to read.

[Moochy]

96. "we loose as a team"

Very Loose affiliation in the Big Tent. Inimical forces, strange bedfellows, no vaseline.

[Odin2005]

106. The Corporate Dems are members of the Other Team pretending to be on our team.

Oh, and POLITICS IS REAL PEOPLE, NOT A FUCKING SPORT.

[opihimoimoi]

110. There are those who pose as team members but are really from the Other Team...who lost and are here

to make us lose too...that way they don't feel so bad...

They are poor loser bullies who wish to dominate and dictate...

[cleveramerican]

114. and you alone decide who's in or out?

My op was a gentle reminder that we are doing Okay all things considered.
I never thought this would be a controversial opinion.

[opihimoimoi]

115. No one suggested I alone decides....its reality....in this DU setting, there is no FILTER

peace