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“The gloves are off”?! Are ya ready to just go out and kick some butt now Jan? You go girl!
Posted by Bubba on Nov 29, 2004 at 7:21 AM
The only way that Democrats will gain some control in any of the branches of government is to garner votes. The last couple of elections has shown that a very large part of the voting public is focusing on personality or “values”. They are NOT moved by talk of important things such as economy, or foreign policy. Dems have to play the game of stupidity.
First do NOT have a candidate from the Northeast part of the country. Thoroughly Vet the background of the candidates who want the office and withhold support of anyone with the slightest taint of less then being an angle. Preferably have a candidate that is a Protestant with a proven record of church going.
Second be ready immediately to play dirty. Have ready smears for the opposition candidate. Play the smears over and over - too many voters believe anything that they repeatedly hear.
Posted by birchbark1 on Nov 29, 2004 at 3:15 PM
Yeah, maybe they could be anti-abortion, against poor people and the middle class, for lower taxes on the rich, and hate gay people. I know! Let’s pick a Republican for the Democratic nominee. Brilliant!
Posted by Mattdog on Nov 29, 2004 at 7:08 PM
Don’t you just love it when a “progressive” says we don’t need to “feel better about ourselves” than to go after the Right?!
Posted by Jason H. Christ on Nov 29, 2004 at 9:33 PM
Christ, what does that “sentence” mean?
Posted by mattdog on Nov 30, 2004 at 12:11 PM
“The Republicans have literally shut down democracy in the House of Representatives, not letting Democrats into conference committees, violating, if not rules of the House, longstanding traditions of the House in terms of the minority party’s right to add amendments and participate in debate. They’ve gone as far as illegal activities—offering bribes on the floor of the House, holding votes open for three hours.”
If these things are true, where are the headlines? Where’s the outrage? Where are the censures and suspensions? It’s not up to mid-town America to police the House, where’s the Ethics Committee?? Illegal activities = chargeable offenses, so Rep. Schakowsky, please gather evidence and file some damn charges already!
Posted by Kuya on Nov 30, 2004 at 11:23 PM
It means that Ms. Schakowsky talks of the gloves being off in on one hand, and then says that what’s important is finding a leader that can make us feel good about ourselves.
I think the response to this thread by Kuya represents what’s really wrong. Democrats don’t need to make themselves or Americans feel better about themselves. They need to seriously, and ferociously fight back against the type of corruption going on in the Congress.
I just think the Dems realize there is a problem, but have no clue what it is, and therfore no clue how to solve it. I think Schakowsky’s answer makes that clear.
It’s going to take more than Nancy Pelosi talking about this in a press conference that 30 people might see on C-Span. It’s going to take a united front of Dems, on message, using the media in the same way the GOP does.
It just seems like when the Dems say “let’s fight” that there’s always a question mark on the end of the sentence.
Posted by Jason H. Christ on Dec 2, 2004 at 3:12 PM
i agree completely with Kuya’s response. What the hell is wrong with Congress?
Posted by pick of the litter on Dec 7, 2004 at 3:21 PM
“The Dems realize there is a problem?” The Dems are the problem. The glaring omission in all these little rants here is that this discussion is about left and right political views when the talk should be about socio-economic issues, i.e class warfare, and on this issue the Dems are as culpable as the Republicans. The Dems are a bunch of rich white guys with very little sense of what it is like to have to do without the basic necessities of everyday life. They have gotten so far from the bread and butter positions that were their core stength, they’ve excelled at gutting their effectiveness to represent those stiving to provide for themselves and their families.
The supreme function of governments is to be a floor under those whom it serves, to provide for or give the opportunity to obtain food,shelter,jobs,education and health care. In this our government is not up to the task, and is getting farther from these responsibilities.
If we don’t demand more, we will acheive no more. Question authority, all those in power, left and right, and above all question ourselves.
Posted by Mr. Duke on Dec 8, 2004 at 12:09 PM
“The supreme function of governments is to be a floor under those whom it serves, to provide for or give the opportunity to obtain food,shelter,jobs,education and health care. “
- Mr. Duke
This is the continental divide. On the other side are those who think the supreme function of governments is to be a wall within which citizens are safe in their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
Posted by clark Nitrate on Dec 8, 2004 at 12:37 PM
That would be the “I got mine, pull up the ladder school of government”, which sadly seems to be the dominant perspective these days. In the real world a society is as only well off, and not just economic well being, as the least of it’s citizens, and what affects one affects all. After all, 9-11 was a reaction not an action.
Posted by Mr. Duke on Dec 8, 2004 at 2:50 PM
It’s a shame the Dems don’t have the guts to publicly - and often - ask the simple question:“Why would any working person/wage earner vote for a Republican?” All of our politicians are rich overwelmingly white guys. The Dems in power at least offer some chance that Ike’s military/industrial complex can be limited to some degree.
The Repubs are definitely moving to bring the country close to bankruptcy so that they can have an excuse to eliminate any social floors. They yearn to return this country to the conditions of the 1890’s.
Posted by Birchbark1 on Dec 9, 2004 at 3:25 AM
Great point Birch, the Dems do offer some degree of flexibility and do seem to be less ideologically locked into the philosophy of exclusion, though until the citizens demand third, fourth and fifth parties to share in the power structure, then I’m fearful that we will always have to just settle instead of being truly represented economically, politically or judicially. The aim of the two party system is to preserve the two party system, and until we open our collective eyes to this reality then the greed heads, corporate free marketeers and other assorted political bootlickers will continue to set the agenda. Let’s not forget we have them outnumbered and we collectively have the cash.
Posted by Mr. Duke on Dec 9, 2004 at 11:30 AM
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Reader Comments
“The gloves are off”?! Are ya ready to just go out and kick some butt now Jan? You go girl!
The only way that Democrats will gain some control in any of the branches of government is to garner votes. The last couple of elections has shown that a very large part of the voting public is focusing on personality or “values”. They are NOT moved by talk of important things such as economy, or foreign policy. Dems have to play the game of stupidity.
First do NOT have a candidate from the Northeast part of the country. Thoroughly Vet the background of the candidates who want the office and withhold support of anyone with the slightest taint of less then being an angle. Preferably have a candidate that is a Protestant with a proven record of church going.
Second be ready immediately to play dirty. Have ready smears for the opposition candidate. Play the smears over and over - too many voters believe anything that they repeatedly hear.
Yeah, maybe they could be anti-abortion, against poor people and the middle class, for lower taxes on the rich, and hate gay people. I know! Let’s pick a Republican for the Democratic nominee. Brilliant!
Don’t you just love it when a “progressive” says we don’t need to “feel better about ourselves” than to go after the Right?!
Christ, what does that “sentence” mean?
“The Republicans have literally shut down democracy in the House of Representatives, not letting Democrats into conference committees, violating, if not rules of the House, longstanding traditions of the House in terms of the minority party’s right to add amendments and participate in debate. They’ve gone as far as illegal activities—offering bribes on the floor of the House, holding votes open for three hours.”
If these things are true, where are the headlines? Where’s the outrage? Where are the censures and suspensions? It’s not up to mid-town America to police the House, where’s the Ethics Committee?? Illegal activities = chargeable offenses, so Rep. Schakowsky, please gather evidence and file some damn charges already!
It means that Ms. Schakowsky talks of the gloves being off in on one hand, and then says that what’s important is finding a leader that can make us feel good about ourselves.
I think the response to this thread by Kuya represents what’s really wrong. Democrats don’t need to make themselves or Americans feel better about themselves. They need to seriously, and ferociously fight back against the type of corruption going on in the Congress.
I just think the Dems realize there is a problem, but have no clue what it is, and therfore no clue how to solve it. I think Schakowsky’s answer makes that clear.
It’s going to take more than Nancy Pelosi talking about this in a press conference that 30 people might see on C-Span. It’s going to take a united front of Dems, on message, using the media in the same way the GOP does.
It just seems like when the Dems say “let’s fight” that there’s always a question mark on the end of the sentence.
i agree completely with Kuya’s response. What the hell is wrong with Congress?
“The Dems realize there is a problem?” The Dems are the problem. The glaring omission in all these little rants here is that this discussion is about left and right political views when the talk should be about socio-economic issues, i.e class warfare, and on this issue the Dems are as culpable as the Republicans. The Dems are a bunch of rich white guys with very little sense of what it is like to have to do without the basic necessities of everyday life. They have gotten so far from the bread and butter positions that were their core stength, they’ve excelled at gutting their effectiveness to represent those stiving to provide for themselves and their families.
The supreme function of governments is to be a floor under those whom it serves, to provide for or give the opportunity to obtain food,shelter,jobs,education and health care. In this our government is not up to the task, and is getting farther from these responsibilities.
If we don’t demand more, we will acheive no more. Question authority, all those in power, left and right, and above all question ourselves.
“The supreme function of governments is to be a floor under those whom it serves, to provide for or give the opportunity to obtain food,shelter,jobs,education and health care. “
- Mr. Duke
This is the continental divide. On the other side are those who think the supreme function of governments is to be a wall within which citizens are safe in their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
That would be the “I got mine, pull up the ladder school of government”, which sadly seems to be the dominant perspective these days. In the real world a society is as only well off, and not just economic well being, as the least of it’s citizens, and what affects one affects all. After all, 9-11 was a reaction not an action.
It’s a shame the Dems don’t have the guts to publicly - and often - ask the simple question:“Why would any working person/wage earner vote for a Republican?” All of our politicians are rich overwelmingly white guys. The Dems in power at least offer some chance that Ike’s military/industrial complex can be limited to some degree.
The Repubs are definitely moving to bring the country close to bankruptcy so that they can have an excuse to eliminate any social floors. They yearn to return this country to the conditions of the 1890’s.
Great point Birch, the Dems do offer some degree of flexibility and do seem to be less ideologically locked into the philosophy of exclusion, though until the citizens demand third, fourth and fifth parties to share in the power structure, then I’m fearful that we will always have to just settle instead of being truly represented economically, politically or judicially. The aim of the two party system is to preserve the two party system, and until we open our collective eyes to this reality then the greed heads, corporate free marketeers and other assorted political bootlickers will continue to set the agenda. Let’s not forget we have them outnumbered and we collectively have the cash.
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