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dem in texas

(2,681 posts)

143. Dems past voter apathy and now we are paying the price

Wed Jul 10, 2013, 03:57 PM

Jul 2013

The Democrats didn't pay attention to state and local elections in years past and allowed the republicans to take over local and state governments. Then the repubs gerrymandered the districts to their advantage. The righties who are proposing the anti-abortion bills are in safe districts where they cannot be voted out.

I am a life long Dem living in Texas. For the last 25 30 years, my voted has not counted in a national election. It does not count in state wide elections. I am in a pure Democratic district, Eddie Bernice is my US rep and Royce West is my state senator, doesn't get anymore Dem than those two. There is nowhere I can cast a vote that will help the Dems except to keep my elected officials in office. Now, if Wendy Davis runs for governor, maybe my vote will help!

What needs to happen is for US Dems to take a look at the republican districts in each state and look for cracks in their solid base. This is happening in one county in New York, the NYT wrote about it, the young liberals are moving in and displacing the old conservatives, same for Michelle Bachman's district.

If I could find an area in Texas that I can help crack the Republican nut, I will be glad to do anything I can. All us Democrats need work hard to breakup the republican strongholds.

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Are you all as stunned as I am about how the States are falling? [View all] 1-Old-Man Jul 2013 OP

yes. Liberal_in_LA Jul 2013 #1

No...when.. BehindTheCurtain76 Jul 2013 #156

Remember Dwayne Hicks Jul 2013 #2

Welcome to DU, Dwayne Hicks! calimary Jul 2013 #40

thank you calimary chknltl Jul 2013 #56

Awww... thanks chknltl! calimary Jul 2013 #87

Insufferable bloviating shm.....??? chknltl Jul 2013 #127

It's interesting that you use Howard Dean and state legislatures... Blanks Jul 2013 #92

Thanks for posting this. mattclearing Jul 2013 #114

Purple to Blue! (Thanks for posting!) CrispyQ Jul 2013 #119

That's my "Hollerin' Howard"! (HEART!!!!!) calimary Jul 2013 #133

I appreciate your comments, but a major factor is control of the MSM by the GOP. olegramps Jul 2013 #109

Exactly, at least 75% of the problem Doctor_J Jul 2013 #147

A.L.E.C. In action nt pkdu Jul 2013 #3

This is the most accurate assessment mick063 Jul 2013 #32

They sure proved their ownership of Wisconsin. Jackpine Radical Jul 2013 #43

ALEC writes the legislation mick063 Jul 2013 #48

That's a bit extreme. 27 State Houses have Republican majority, 17 Democratic, 5 are split Bluenorthwest Jul 2013 #51

You are right. mick063 Jul 2013 #55

How is it 'trending'? It is just States that are not liberal being not liberal. Bluenorthwest Jul 2013 #61

Perhaps perception? mick063 Jul 2013 #76

Wisconsin and Michigan, not liberal? pscot Jul 2013 #146

So only 24 of the 50 states are royally screwn. KamaAina Jul 2013 #129

Point of Order r.e. WA State Senate: maxsolomon Jul 2013 #130

In 2010, Republicans made big gains in state houses, and we are stll reaping the Agnosticsherbet Jul 2013 #4

Very good point, yes we can GOTV. Thinkingabout Jul 2013 #16

Good point, AND remember, there are loads of embedded government appointees from the Bush kelliekat44 Jul 2013 #33

+1, We let the nut jobs out vote us. JoePhilly Jul 2013 #93

Who's "we"? truebluegreen Jul 2013 #102

Because the Dems in 2009-2010 didn't give them reason to show up Doctor_J Jul 2013 #110

That was actually my point: truebluegreen Jul 2013 #112

"Current Ds need to run to the left of the President on some issues in 2014"...Agreed, 100%. n/t whathehell Jul 2013 #139

Why do we expect the Democratic Leadership to give us a reason to show up? Agnosticsherbet Jul 2013 #132

We do show up. You are again only reading the part that you want to Doctor_J Jul 2013 #150

i am well aware that we go to elect Representtives not leaders. Agnosticsherbet Jul 2013 #155

That's why I don't get these "The Republican Party is Dying" posts. Arugula Latte Jul 2013 #5

Really, I keep waiting for the GOP to die already but they don't mountain grammy Jul 2013 #50

That's because we have a prize fighter that keeps holding up the GOP like a palooka. AnotherMcIntosh Jul 2013 #122

Let me plant this acorn.... AnneD Jul 2013 #125

That's quite a good metaphor BrotherIvan Jul 2013 #148

We had them on the mat in '08 truebluegreen Jul 2013 #103

YES! I am stunned too. TPTB are hard at work squashing their fellow Americans. snappyturtle Jul 2013 #6

WHAT? What are they doing to the credit unions? CurtEastPoint Jul 2013 #20

I read, maybe on DU yesterday (sorry), that the banking industry is snappyturtle Jul 2013 #27

Amazing. I just Googled and found creditunionruse.com and lo and behold in small print CurtEastPoint Jul 2013 #28

I'm telling you they are at war with us. They want everything. nt snappyturtle Jul 2013 #74

"They want everything." CrispyQ Jul 2013 #121

Credit Unions?! abelenkpe Jul 2013 #39

"fellow Americans"? That's being generous. How many are part of the international super-rich who AnotherMcIntosh Jul 2013 #128

I had no idea that they were doing this! tallahasseedem Jul 2013 #140

Republicans controlling (and destroying) 'blue' states. Industrial states. Avalux Jul 2013 #7

PA is controlled by republicans and is being trashed now. AlinPA Jul 2013 #10

Yes I know and it breaks my heart. Avalux Jul 2013 #12

Corbett belongs in prison with his pal Jerry Sandusky Freddie Jul 2013 #29

I'm only stunned it has taken some of these states over two years to pursue these laws. LonePirate Jul 2013 #8

They always do it slowly zeemike Jul 2013 #73

This message was self-deleted by its author LumosMaxima Jul 2013 #9

I think they want to get a case to go before SCOTUS while they still have a right wing majority... cascadiance Jul 2013 #154

I think you are right here. Getting in under the LuckyLib Jul 2013 #157

Nope. There are no consequences for being corrupt. Corruption Inc Jul 2013 #11

Welcome to DU, Corruption Inc and also LumosMaxima! calimary Jul 2013 #82

Here in Minnesota we've managed to beat back the GOP. The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2013 #13

And, besides having Mark Dayton as governor, what saved us was redistricting (strangely enough) dflprincess Jul 2013 #35

In 2008, we managed to beat back the GOP - nationwide. AnotherMcIntosh Jul 2013 #37

That's not really fair. Blanks Jul 2013 #96

Obama immediately appointed high-level Repubs to his Administration and continued Repub policies. AnotherMcIntosh Jul 2013 #107

Appointing republicans was something a lot of people... Blanks Jul 2013 #113

"If a mandate was a solution, we could... solve homlessness by mandating that everyone buy a house." AnotherMcIntosh Jul 2013 #116

So you like Repubican policies. When Obama manages to cut SS, you'll be able to cheer him on as AnotherMcIntosh Jul 2013 #117

You should work on reading comprehension. Blanks Jul 2013 #118

Your words are clear enough. Your "keep your enemies closer" meme is a nonsensical one. n/t AnotherMcIntosh Jul 2013 #120

I don't believe it is non-sensical. Blanks Jul 2013 #124

There are 17 States like MN, Democratic Gov and both houses of legislature. Bluenorthwest Jul 2013 #52

Good! The more "outposts" the better! The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2013 #54

Absolutely. And there are more than much of the rhetoric here would suggest... Bluenorthwest Jul 2013 #58

Still, some of the stuff going on in some states, The Velveteen Ocelot Jul 2013 #66

I'm disappointed by Obama, profoundly, and that is irrelevant Nevernose Jul 2013 #14

You have the right idea. Focus on local, county and state races. That is the path to success. bluestate10 Jul 2013 #19

We are left to fend for ourselves in this illusion of Democracy. L0oniX Jul 2013 #36

its simple friendlyFRIEND Jul 2013 #15

Not at all. The republicans understand that if you support your voters, they will keep Egalitarian Thug Jul 2013 #17

What is it you think the republicans are doing to 'support the voters'? eom Blanks Jul 2013 #97

They cater to them. They work toward banning abortions, they make multiple, useless, doomed to fail Egalitarian Thug Jul 2013 #111

Go on strike ... Stop cooking! Eddie Haskell Jul 2013 #18

I would but my wife would starve and she's not the problem. 1-Old-Man Jul 2013 #22

A little civil disobedience then. Eddie Haskell Jul 2013 #67

Johnny Mathis isn't the problem either awoke_in_2003 Jul 2013 #126

How long can it continue? Cirque du So-What Jul 2013 #21

In agreement I am only consoled in knowing that what has been done can be undone. 1-Old-Man Jul 2013 #24

in the mean time they will steal us blind, starve the poor, starve the schools and the cities rurallib Jul 2013 #26

This a great article, it is going to take the sanity of the Democrats to get this nation back on Thinkingabout Jul 2013 #23

Yes, and please add my state (PA) to your list. Actually, if we had been watching, enough Jul 2013 #25

I'm sad. Just Saying Jul 2013 #30

NC is trying to fight back.... marions ghost Jul 2013 #31

Suffering in Florida under Sick Scott... L0oniX Jul 2013 #34

Did you mean "Sick Rott"? lastlib Jul 2013 #42

Hasn't been good since Bob Graham left for the senate. L0oniX Jul 2013 #77

Damn! He looks like the "Bat Boy" from Weekly World News. longship Jul 2013 #49

Thank you! No mention of Scott should be without that World News picture! SunSeeker Jul 2013 #83

What? Art_from_Ark Jul 2013 #88

But its murdering "babies" ErikJ Jul 2013 #38

Hopefully with all the crazy stuff Iliyah Jul 2013 #41

Yes. It's unbelievable Politicub Jul 2013 #44

The Last Hurrah of Rural America mckara Jul 2013 #45

Your lips to Dog's ears! truebluegreen Jul 2013 #105

A little stunned. A lot pissed. Lizzie Poppet Jul 2013 #46

My dad has been saying for awhile now... Lobo27 Jul 2013 #47

teabagger america sigmasix Jul 2013 #53

We've turned the corner in Colorado with a Democratic majority in the legislature. mountain grammy Jul 2013 #57

I know more than one set of very cool people relocating to Colorado which is a beautiful Bluenorthwest Jul 2013 #63

When I moved here in 1984 Republicans ruled.. mountain grammy Jul 2013 #72

This is only to keep us chasing our tails, one SOCIAL issue after another. Dustlawyer Jul 2013 #59

And I think you are right. zeemike Jul 2013 #80

Yeah, why did them Dems not complain of voting fraud very long after Rove's IT guy died Dustlawyer Jul 2013 #86

And why DO the Democrats ignore it? It has been proven to happen and that it is very easy for Dustlawyer Jul 2013 #158

Actually they gave me the idea. zeemike Jul 2013 #160

Reality doesn't quite agree with you 100 percent. AverageJoe90 Jul 2013 #145

Can you say Republicans running the state. Jake2413 Jul 2013 #60

I prefer to use the word horrified. SheilaT Jul 2013 #62

K & R MoreGOPoop Jul 2013 #64

ALEC model bills Triana Jul 2013 #65

Is not falling, it is stumbling. Half-Century Man Jul 2013 #68

It's very disheartening. Where are our leaders who look out for us? Where are they? nt Honeycombe8 Jul 2013 #69

They don't work for us anymore marions ghost Jul 2013 #78

I feel the stalemate in DC... awoke_in_2003 Jul 2013 #70

Its to get people to HATE the government and give up. JoePhilly Jul 2013 #95

Yep. nt awoke_in_2003 Jul 2013 #100

Your point is strong but lost in the word a(s). Billy Pilgrim Jul 2013 #71

I like to blame boo-boos like that on old arthritic fingers - its been fixed 1-Old-Man Jul 2013 #106

Abortion has ALWAYS been an issue that was hot on MY mind. hamsterjill Jul 2013 #75

This message was self-deleted by its author LumosMaxima Jul 2013 #79

This is how I feel too. Well said. Nt DeschutesRiver Jul 2013 #98

COME TO WASHINGTON STATE. AtheistCrusader Jul 2013 #81

Can You Say "Citizens United" DallasNE Jul 2013 #84

Barbarians. moondust Jul 2013 #85

you are so right G_j Jul 2013 #89

It can't, and it won't. Volaris Jul 2013 #90

+1 n/t Laelth Jul 2013 #104

GOP rule #583: Gov't infringement of personal freedoms is acceptable when done on the State level. Jamaal510 Jul 2013 #91

Nope. Not even a little bit cali Jul 2013 #94

I wrote about this last week maindawg Jul 2013 #99

Caution: Republicans at work! AAO Jul 2013 #101

disgusted and sad. tavalon Jul 2013 #108

Not surprised really. Three major factors: Demo_Chris Jul 2013 #115

IMO, they have kept up a dog and pony show... awoke_in_2003 Jul 2013 #123

No, not since the coup. nt valerief Jul 2013 #131

"All Politics... ReRe Jul 2013 #134

Not at all. They know what they want and are willing to do what it takes to get there. jtuck004 Jul 2013 #135

It's what happens when you turn a state over to the republikkkon party Hulk Jul 2013 #136

ALEC. They are taking over at state level & not just on abortion. HiPointDem Jul 2013 #137

When Repukes couldn't control the federal gov they went for the states 1 by 1. hue Jul 2013 #138

As far as abortion is concerned . . . wpelb Jul 2013 #141

What did you think the Dem hissy fit in 2010 meant? aquart Jul 2013 #142

Dems past voter apathy and now we are paying the price dem in texas Jul 2013 #143

To guarantee losses, some need to make their passion for reviving the AWB known. AnotherMcIntosh Jul 2013 #149

The repubs have been working on all this since at least 1980.. pangaia Jul 2013 #144

It's gotta be some coordinated scheme from some right wing big money donors. craigmatic Jul 2013 #151

Its ALEC, and their think tank sponsored bills. iemitsu Jul 2013 #152

It because while the national Obama voting org ceonupe Jul 2013 #153

It was a national strategy: ALEC GiaGiovanni Jul 2013 #159