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Chathamization

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92. Join the DFA? They can usually point you in the direction of good progressives to support even if

Sat Oct 11, 2014, 03:34 PM

Oct 2014

your local party is terrible. I'm somewhat lucky - we've finally had some good successes lately, and it looks like this election will actually get us 2 - 3 more good progressives in our city council, one particularly bad council member will be gone (because, eh, she'll become mayor, but can't win 'em all) which paves the way for possibly another progressive next year, and we'll most likely end marijuana prohibition. There's still a ton of work to do, but we've been fighting (others much more than I), and now it looks like we'll have some victories.

But yeah, if I were in some areas I imagine it'd be pretty depressing. My suggestion would be to keep voting for good people in the primaries, encourage others to do so, and if it looks like volunteering locally won't make any difference, join some group like the DFA that can direct you to other candidates you can volunteer for that have a good chance to win (and in return, they can help out local politicians you think are worth it).

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Just opened my ballot. Will vote straight D. But I am not excited, not eager. [View all] madfloridian Oct 2014 OP

Third Way took over, and that was all she wrote for the REAL Democrats. Now all we get are Corporate blkmusclmachine Oct 2014 #1

Yes, I think so. madfloridian Oct 2014 #2

When we vote for the lesser of 2 evils, we STILL get EVIL... blkmusclmachine Oct 2014 #4

And when we don't vote ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #5

Imagine President McCain and Sister Sarah running the nation. bravenak Oct 2014 #7

Thank got posting on the internet is relatively easy ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #26

Well, Barack IS a magic Negro.... bravenak Oct 2014 #29

On a bright note ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #37

Yeah, but.... bravenak Oct 2014 #39

Any suggestions on what to do, then? BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #8

why not get involved in primaries ? just the fact that primaries outside of Pres elections JI7 Oct 2014 #16

Eh BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #23

well, why would you support such a party if you feel that way ? because i sure wouldn't JI7 Oct 2014 #25

Instead vote for....? BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #30

i would try to get support for a third party or look to build up something else JI7 Oct 2014 #34

Then we are "splitters" BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #38

but why does that matter ? if you feel that strongly about it that sure shouldn't matter JI7 Oct 2014 #42

Well, it does BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #44

not in a runoff system like the chicago mayors race JI7 Oct 2014 #45

And it is for literally everything else, esp the highest levels of government? BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #46

you can try to change the system to the same thing, but my point is JI7 Oct 2014 #48

yes BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #49

still doesn't address lack of involvement in runoff system JI7 Oct 2014 #50

It kind of does? BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #52

things take time , and hard work JI7 Oct 2014 #53

Ok, granted. BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #54

there are no third parties i support, but if i felt about the democratic party JI7 Oct 2014 #55

Do what you have been doing every day of your life ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #31

ok? BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #40

Step 1: Draft people that don't adhere to Austrian school of economics ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #56

Fair enough BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #57

I'll offer two ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #58

Hm, alright BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #59

I do too ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #60

Hm BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #61

Maybe because the right wing ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #63

when the results spin questionseverything Oct 2014 #93

You rebuild the progressive base from the state and local levels... elzenmahn Oct 2014 #64

Maybe BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #66

There is no hope for change pscot Oct 2014 #13

Ahhh ... 1StrongBlackMan Oct 2014 #33

oh, come on now, there is no way you feel this way JI7 Oct 2014 #11

We need more guys like this guy ... Scuba Oct 2014 #3

New York gets the choice of a Republican endorsed governor or a total crackpot. adirondacker Oct 2014 #6

Which is one reason the 'enthusiasm gap' is overhyped. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Oct 2014 #9

Yes, but wouldn't be a nice thing to be excited about it? madfloridian Oct 2014 #14

No! If you don't vote "enthusiastically" your ballot doesn't count gratuitous Oct 2014 #18

............. madfloridian Oct 2014 #20

i think people who feel the need to be excited about voting are usually non political types JI7 Oct 2014 #10

I'm very political BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #21

i'm not excited either, i'm talking about people who feel the need to be excited JI7 Oct 2014 #24

Probably because third parties are doomed here BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #28

well, Chicago Mayors race was runoff election which Rahm Emanuel ended up winning JI7 Oct 2014 #32

Uh... BlindTiresias Oct 2014 #36

i thought it was about electing more progressives to office JI7 Oct 2014 #41

Join the DFA? They can usually point you in the direction of good progressives to support even if Chathamization Oct 2014 #92

I remember that this moving right stage was done deliberately, done to leave out the majority madfloridian Oct 2014 #12

I was just thinking today it's been a while since someone regurgitated the formulaic ant-DLC post. wyldwolf Oct 2014 #15

Did I just make your day happy? madfloridian Oct 2014 #17

happy isn't the word. I think nostalgic is a better one wyldwolf Oct 2014 #19

In your heart you know what I say is true. madfloridian Oct 2014 #22

I do know you like saying it wyldwolf Oct 2014 #27

wouldn't it be wonderful to vote for something instead of only against something? Douglas Carpenter Oct 2014 #35

you'll never convince them Skittles Oct 2014 #51

Those 2 articles have needed to be repeated through the years. madfloridian Oct 2014 #94

keep spreading that unexcited and eagerlessness around. LawDeeDah Oct 2014 #43

The poster has a point, though... elzenmahn Oct 2014 #68

You can't force excitement. But I will vote. madfloridian Oct 2014 #80

Good thing your voting straight Dem. bahrbearian Oct 2014 #47

.... madfloridian Oct 2014 #62

I'm so sorry for all of us that we have such a crappy system. We desperatly need a candidate that liberal_at_heart Oct 2014 #65

An unenthusiastic vote Proud Liberal Dem Oct 2014 #67

only someone pro-tabby would admit to being this discouraged! MisterP Oct 2014 #69

As a Florida resident Iamthetruth Oct 2014 #70

Are you voting for the libertarian or for Scott? madfloridian Oct 2014 #71

Really a purity test? bahrbearian Oct 2014 #73

Not a purity test. Just common sense right now. madfloridian Oct 2014 #74

None of the above Iamthetruth Oct 2014 #90

Same here Mister Nightowl Oct 2014 #72

And it shouldn't be that way madfloridian Oct 2014 #82

Instead of thinking about the Ds you are eager to vote for, think about what happens if you don't! DrewFlorida Oct 2014 #75

..... madfloridian Oct 2014 #81

as will I. But so many of the 70 million voters from 2008 have been turned off Doctor_J Oct 2014 #76

"running away from the liberals, then blames them for not voting." madfloridian Oct 2014 #77

So you punish the Democrats for being unprincipled...by not voting YoungDemCA Oct 2014 #78

I am sorry that the CA education has not taught you to read Doctor_J Oct 2014 #83

Similar, but slightly different for me davidpdx Oct 2014 #79

K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations! Enthusiast Oct 2014 #84

Don't be silly. madfloridian Oct 2014 #86

Does an eager, excited vote count for more than a not eager, not excited vote?...nt SidDithers Oct 2014 #85

Votes are votes are votes... elzenmahn Nov 2014 #95

Great post, as usual, madflo! K&R! Kermitt Gribble Oct 2014 #87

IMO the main reason voters will turn out in FL is Amendment 2 madfloridian Oct 2014 #88

How can a country keep its identity with that trade deal clause in effect? It can't. madfloridian Oct 2014 #89

The opportunity to vote out pRick Scott, Yes for Medical Cannabis, & Yes on Amendment 1 NightWatcher Oct 2014 #91