Reply #42: 2000 vs. 2004 elections

[KE_04]

This is my first post, so forgive me if I'm breaking any rules or stepping on toes here. I admit it, I have been lurking here for about 2 weeks, and am being more enlightened and informed every day by the posts here. If any are interested, here is my take on how we start winning elections, other than how THEY have been winning them.
First, we need to put distance between ourselves and the most radical elements of the environmental groups. Most people think those groups are wacko and "out in left field". EXAMPLE: When someone chains themselves to a tree because someone else wants to cut that tree down, the chained person is viewed as someone "with problems". They need to calm down, start using the legal system to their advantage.
Second, unions. The labor movement has done ALOT of good for the average worker in the last hundred or so years, but their ranks are shrinking, and what is left is seen as a bunch of angry, unhappy people. EXAMPLE: Here in PA, the toll collectors on the PA Turnpike walked out on strike a few weeks ago. I had no idea these people were even unionized! They make, on AVERAGE, $21 an hour, FOR MAKING CHANGE. They have an excellent health care plan, generous vacations and personal time off. This job should be an entry level job or a job for high schoolers trying to learn how the world works. I'm sorry, but $21 an hour for handing someone a quarter as change is a bit over the top.
In my opinion, outrageous things like this are ONE reason gas, for example, is $2 a gallon.
Third, abortion. Our collective support for a woman's right to choose may need a re-think. Granted, there are pro-life Democrats, (Lieberman?) and there are pro-choice rethugs, (Specter?). The MAJORITY of Dems are pro-choice. This is the major reason the Evangelicals went for Bush. That and the anti-Gay amendments on so many state ballots. (ALL of which went down in smoking defeat, even in Oregon)
Fourth, unity. In this past election, how many Democratic candidate were in the primaries? Twelve, thirteen? How do we expect to get ONE message out when all of the candidates of the same party are bashing each other? Two or three candidates on the trail would be more effective. Better advisor's would help too. You can't go windsurfing, wear a ridiculous bunny suit at NASA, and have your wife walking around calling people "stupid" and expect to win.
Don't get the wrong idea from this post. I wanted JK to win this thing as badly as everyone else here, but some of the things I mentioned did us in. The average American voter may not be the most informed voter in the world, but they know what they DON'T want. EXAMPLE: The Dean SCREAM. When the MSM played that, and re-played that, his run was OVER. He wasn't "acting" Presidential. Again, don't take it wrong, our current president doesn't always look Presidential either. The best example of that was the photos of him with his zipper open I saw posted here the other day somewhere.
To wrap this up, yes we need to continue the fight in Ohio and elsewhere, but CAN'T take it "over the top" or we will be seen as sore losers. We should fight for election reform. I'm not so sure paper receipts are the way to go, though. With all of the software available today, someone with minimal skills could start a whole new industry, editing your ballot for a fee. Keep pressure on your Senators and Representatives.
Because John Kerry cares about this country, he will fight alongside us, publicly or behind the scenes, like I believe he is doing right now. He doesn't need the added distraction of the media hounding him. For one thing, he is probably tired of that after the campaign.
I am SO glad I found the DU!!