Are Democrats being played?

[rebelskypirate]

After the exceptionally close election of 2000, a hot burning core of anger was left among many Democrats about the election. With such a small margin in Florida, recounts showing different results, and VP Gore’s overall popular vote, this is most certainly understandable. But has this anger hurt the Democratic Party? Overall, I think yes, it has, and I will explain why.

Self-blame is always a HARD thing, in our daily lives and in politics. So we tend to always blame others for our failures, cause its much easier than looking in the mirror. This is certainly no secret to anyone, but could it be that the enemies of the Democratic Party are actually fanning these flames to keep focus off of the truth? I think so.

Lets look at facts: Since Bill Clinton’s 1992 election, there has been a steady erosion of Democratic power at every level of government. Considering the peace and prosperity of the Clinton years, and the 1998 elections that cost Republicans some seats, 2000 should never have been close, but it was, all too close, and I think many people just saw RED (no pun intended) and can not longer see any other color….they are “ON TILT”

Any poker players out there? One of the keys to winning the game is to make your opponent SO angry that they no longer see the cards, the odds, or the bets, but only YOU(like President Bush, Karl Rove, etc). Once this happens, all YOUR chips start working towards THEIR side of the table. Sadly, I feel the Republicans found the TILT button in 2000 with one word: FRAUD

Armed with the lightning speed of the Internet, theories can fly round the world far faster than news of old, and truth never need be established(look at several threads here already proven false or misleading). They can be spread completely anonymously, without any knowledge of who the sender is or their goals. Emotions are stirred up, and above all else, the belief that “it was stolen” makes people SO angry that they are prevented from seeing WHY all the chips that were once on the Democratic side of the table are now on the Republican side. This rage at the Republicans also makes people feel so much better, but it keeps them from ever learning from mistakes....thereby keeping them angry, but out of power, and the anger drives away those less committed who otherwise agree. When consumed with anger, ones focus becomes SO narrow that building broad colitions becomes very tough...since anyone who doesnt belive that "it was stolen" is instantly the enemy, a Repuke, etc....it becomes a crusade.....nuff said there, we all read all the personal attacks here, you know what I mean....however

There is NO question that election reform is needed, as discussed in this post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=108&topic_id=117986&mesg_id=117986

But I feel this election is LOST.....my opinion due to a failure to learn from mistakes made in the past. President Bush was most certainly beatable, as the smallest reelection margin in history shows....but he also got 61,000,000+ votes, and that shows his message carried better than John Kerry's, even if everyone here feels 180% out from it!

On the other hand, if MASSIVE fraud that would affect the outcome of this election is found, and PROVEN, of course it should be pursued,and those responsible locked up. But no matter what, Democrats must not be swept away in a tidal wave of anger, stay on TILT, clinging to every single accusation, getting madder….and then in the next election the enemy has more and more chips....Democrats scream FRAUD… madder…more power lost...and so on. Passion can blind one to the truth....and must be tempered with reason....otherwise this wave of anger will leave nothing behind but the ashes of a once great party of the people.

There is no question in my mind that there ARE Republicans on this board whose sole intention is to fan the flames, keep Democrats angry, and above all, keep them from ever learning from our mistakes. Everyone must be careful to avoid such poison pills, and keep the focus on the WINNING issues that made this party so strong in the past, and stay positive, even in these dark times for Democrats.


Thanks for all the great posts here, and best wishes to all!