The used car salesman strikes again

[love_katz]

640. Given the nature of many of the comments posted here...

I feel quite a bit of trepidation about posting.

I find the tone of many people, that we can't criticize any democratic politicians, to be really off-putting. Doesn't anyone see the terrible irony in that? How is it a democracy if we can't say anything critical?

It was articles written by Will Pitt, (on a web site called Common Dreams?) that first brought me over to DU (via a link to an article by the Rude Pundit). I hate to think how worked up some of you would get, if you read what the Rude One has to say.

I want to thank Mr. Pitt, and the Rude Pundit for first directing me to DU, and also for being so outspoken when they don't like what is being done.

If we democrats have to think alike, speak alike, walk in lock-step, and blindly support what our government does in order to win elections, than what we win will not be democracy.

And, before the usual antagonists start telling me that honest discussion will keep people from voting for democratic candidates, I would suggest that you think again. Our current president was elected because he ran a campaign which promised hope and change. If the Democratic party will finally step up to the plate, and start real work on real change (as opposed to business as usual), then they will win elections by a LANDSLIDE! I have never, ever voted for repukes, or any of their ilk. Neither have I ever skipped voting in the entire time that's passed since I became eligible to vote. This idea that anyone who criticizes the president or any democratic politician will for sure cost us the elections in 2016 seems like a concept that is over the top, and off-kilter. No single individual, not even Will Pitt, can claim that kind of power and influence.

People may not like the words he used to criticize the President's reply to Putin, but it has certainly stirred up discussion amongst us. For those of you who are so incensed by Will's remarks, why not look at this as an opportunity to engage in discussion with those you see as being disaffected enough with the current official agenda, and try to find out why we might feel that way? After all, your real goal would hopefully be to find ways to get more people to join together under the Democratic banner, so that elections can be won. Ignoring those of us on the Left, who have been some of the stanchest supporters of the Democrats, is not going to help you achieve your goal.

And, if we can't handle some strong criticism from one of our own, how are we going to stand up to the unmerciful onslaught of the fundy fanatics and wrong wing nut jobs?

I guess, since I also frequently read the Rude Pundit, I am somewhat inoculated against strong language. I may not always agree with his opinions, but he often gives me something to chuckle about, and so did Molly Ivins, and Jim Hightower, etc.

Being expected to goose-step to the party line is not democratic, IMHO. Criticizing democratic politicians does not equal not voting for them. The repukes, and their horrid allies absolutely do NOT appeal.

Good luck to you, Will. Somehow this whole thread reminds me of the fried chicken flamefest.