Reply #11: I understand your point

[feelthebreeze]

and yes, I agree whole heartedly with you about election reform being the penultimate action for us to achieve. Yes, we must focus on this issue and bring about real reform, before it is too late. However, the problem you are seeing on this forum is actually the solution for our stated goal. I feel it is premature to demand this hard focus just yet.
We are now seeking to identify and create a common grassroots language and voice. This is what DU has and does give us. It also enables us to find and focus our sights on current and future champions who will help further our cause of reformation. Yes, SOS confirmations, votes in the Senate against Rice, John Kerry's viability as a leader for our voice are not causes that deal immediatly with the most important one of election reform. But first, before we undertake this step of reclaiming our country, we must begin to build a power base and let that base know that we will support them in other endeavours that seek to challenge the current administration.
Aside from a mass revolt, where we the people storm down the Capital's walls, our stated goal of election reform will only happen from working within the current power structure that is in place. We as a group are building this, now. It is a harrowing and surprisingly fortifying process we are involved with and there will be confusion. I believe it is a necessary evil at this stage. This forum reflects that necessity.
What you are seeing and getting impatient with is the small baby steps of a National movement that is going to be spoken about in history books. Who are the players? What is the plan? Who are the allies and oppositional forces at play to make our goal of reformation emerge? Building a base for our champions, backed by we the people is just beginning. We cannot compartmentalize an attack so vast and mighty as the realization of stolen election(s) just yet. It is not as easy as shouting "Here is what we want... so do it now!" It is a complex, multi-leveled and interconnected approach that is necessary now. If we are to gain our goal of election reform, this is how our movement must begin.
With the help of this forum, as confused and unfocused as it appears to be, we have used information from it and made huge differences that will lead to our final goal. Boxer stood alone, on Jan. 6th, yet stood because of our raised voices of demand and support. Thanks, in part, to the information gleaned from this babble of a forum. She was joined by Kerry as a united voice of dissention against Rice, at her confirmation hearing, because of our voice of support. A voice of over 75,000 that found it's way to her, in part, because of this unfocused forum. The speeches by Democratic Senators today with their promise of a nay vote for tommorow, comes not from a focussed cry of election reform, but from all of us seeking to be merely heard first. This was afforded us by this unfocussed forum. Without the fluid interchange on this forum, the added side bars and extraneous information, I fear we will become mired into discussion with a myopic approach and not have the tools to act.
Today, we have heard the "L" word levied at one of the most powerful positions in our government as well as the leaders themselves that seek this appointment, from Senators that want reform as well. If we first paint them as thieves and liars, the next step of accusation of immoral election theft will come easily into this Nation's zeitgeist. I am afraid that if this forum becomes too rarefied, the information necessary for this forward momentum won't be available for the here and now, but rather lost on some deeply covered disconneced thread.
I am seeing the ground work being laid today, gaining strength and unity from our cries of outrage. For this plan of election reform to be established we must show the opposition our strength and force of will through our elected officials. Not just on one issue, but on a plethora of levels, that stack to a pinnacle of strength and defiance. When our representitives, backed by all of us, have the confidence to make that startling leap into the ultimate statement of "Liars and monsters, you have stolen this country's finest tool of democracy and we as a nation will never allow it to happen again... here is our demand for election reform." It will be a demand from a Nation led in common voice by our chosen champions. Then they will listen, because they must.
I understand your desire to attain focus on this forum about election reform. I also fear it will be forgotten if we do not stay focused. I do want it, I want it now, I have never been more serious and concerned about any other issue that has affected my Country's dream and ideal in my life. But, I also call for a modicum of patience and restraint from all of us, as we all rebuild a stumbling Democracy. Let the babble continue for a bit as we push towards focus and strength. We are seeking our voice and this issue is at the heart of everything we are doing. To limit it's scope is premature. It will not be forgotten nor replaced. I believe it is gaining ground daily. We will have election reform in this country, but there are still steps to be taken before the end of this journey. Allow this confusion for a bit longer as we gain our strength.

The winds of change are blowing...do you feel the breeze?