Most Democrats In Congress Seem To Have Undergone "Tongue-Ectomies"!

[ChiciB1]

Do the Democrats have ANY voice anymore?? Do they even have ANY ideas or backbone?? I've been sorely unhappy about so many of them for so long, but have hoped BEYOND hope that they would certainly one day band together to stop the MADNESS of this administration.

To date, I have seen almost NOTHING of ANY COHESIVENESS on any ONE issue that any of them have supported. I could be wrong, but my perception prevails.

We have had a few "highs" with issues that the likes of John Conyers, Barbara Boxer, Maxine Waters, Bernie Sanders and other like-minded leaders have tried to bring front and center. But on the whole NOTHING is happening!

The Congressional Black Caucus seems to be the ONLY dissenting voice who speak for the common man these days!

Please help me understand why we should continue to HOPE that the Democratic leaders are going to "have our back"? I'm not trying to be so cynical, but I feel so lost and adrift in a lonely small boat in a sea that is overwhelming me. I just don't know where to turn anymore. We The People DID come together on 9/24/2005 and tried to give voice to our frustrations, but have the Democratic leaders even heard us??

Do "We The People" really have anyone to follow these days? And now it seems that even Howard Dean is getting on the Hillary bandwagon! Shall I simply fade into the woodwork and continue feeling more and more apathy? I know I sound like a defeated dog, but in all sincerity... that's exactly how I'm feeling. I'm in DIRE need of some serious help!!!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. What you're in dire need of is an education in politics.

Nothing is happening because we have no fucking power.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4961740

Please read that read - you need it.

[sendero]

2. And we have no power..

.... because we don't speak up.

It's a conundrum.

[MrBenchley]

4. It's only a conundrum to those

who think Tim Russert and NBC have no control over who appears on Meet the Press, for example.

[sendero]

7. Well...

... in case my point was too subtle, I disagree entirely and completely with the idea that our limited "power" is the reason so few in our party will speak out against the Repugs.

[MrBenchley]

10. That's so cute!

[sendero]

13. And you're just a sweet..

.... puddin' head!

[MrBenchley]

14. Try again when you've learned how the world works....

[sendero]

21. According to ..

.... deludinoids? No thanks.

[MrBenchley]

3. It's really pathetic, isn't it?

How many posts mindlessly attacking Democrats went up yesterday?

[ChiciB1]

6. Read It.... Don't Feel Any Better....

I've been a political activist since I was around 12 years old... a long time ago! I campaigned for McGovern if that tells you anything!

Having said that, I still maintain that I've seen much more backbone in the past. I'm NOT saying that the Constitution shouldn't be upheld. Nor am I even advocating IMPEACHMENT! I don't think I even mentioned that word! I DOUBT that it will even be given ANY consideration with the Congress we have! Is milquetoast toast too strong a word???

My problem is with those that I voted for, those that I felt were going to fight for issues I felt were important! I had been a John Kerry supporter from way way back and ALWAYS wanted him to run for President. I supported him PASSIONATELY. I still have immense respect for John Edwards and feel he is fighting the good fight. But is ANYONE taking him seriously???

As a Liberal, it would seem odd that I could support him so fervently. He is undoubtedly more conservative than I. But he is out there giving it his all for those less fortunate! Is his message resonating?? On occasion, but it soon fades.

You simply refer to the Constitution, which should be upheld by all means, but I'm talking more about a sense that we have lost a certain "morality" if I may be so presumptuous! The word "morality" as a buzz word for EVERYTHING has begun to have TOO MANY DEFINITIONS!!

Is it too much to ask that those we have voted for and supported in the past to take a stand and follow through with those issues that they campaigned on???

Sure, this Regime will pass and things may change, but my Angst is with those who said that getting elected would be helpful to what I believed in. Even if they don't have the votes to over-ride ANY vote in the end with the Repukes CONTROLLING everything... they could at the VERY least give voice to some dissension!

Do you understand what I'm saying now??? I listen to C-Span's Washington's Journal ALMOST every morning and I have have begun to hear "MY" message from ordinary Democrats more and more every day!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. I understand your message. You don't understand how it works though.

Perhaps you're still stuck in the days when we at least had SOME power left in the government. We have NONE. Maybe you don't understand, but moral victories mean nothing in politics. And if you're truly the "base", you would do well to understand that not every Democrat is able to say the things you want them to say.

I'll throw three names out there for you - Howard Dean, Dennis Kucinich, and Al Sharpton. There are three guys who do pretty much what you say they should do. Let me ask you something - how did ANY of them do in 2004? Even beyond the primary, can you show me any kind of poll where they stood ANY chance against Bush? Any chance at all?

The answer is a resounding NO, because they didn't! Dean came the closest, and I think he was still a good 20 points off. Now, if those polls were to happen today, Dean definitely would stand a much better chance, but the point I'm trying to raise is that you're completely ignoring the political circumstances surrounding us. We have no power. We have a media that is completely complicit with the right wing. We don't have any form of a "bully pulpit", where we can get our message across unvarnished. Fire and brimstone alone is NOT GOING TO CHANGE THAT. People, I think you included, have completely forgotten what the political situation was like even 2 years ago. Have you forgotten the times when you couldn't whisper a word of dissent without being hung as a terrorist? It wasn't that long ago. Hell, a war veteran who lost three fucking limbs for our country was put on the same footing as Osama Bin Laden, and people bought that. Have you forgotten that?

We need our political activists and we need our rank and file to raise the fire and brimstone. They need US to do it, because they can't. We need to create the circumstances where they CAN say the things you want them to say. But we're not there yet. And if you're as loyal to the progressive movement as you claim you are, this is YOUR job to get it done, and even more so, it's your job to make the effort to understand that they are doing the best they can. I for one have met John Kerry personally. I know for a flat out fact that he'd love to be more fire and brimstone than he is, but it's complete and total political suicide for him to do so. People praise Kucinich, Boxer, and Conyers for being bold, but none of them have a goddamn thing to worry about when it comes to re-election. You want other Dems to be like them? GIVE THEM NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO WINNING ELECTIONS!

[MrBenchley]

11. Great post!!

[ChiciB1]

34. My Query Is... Do I Want The SAME Democrats To Represent Me Again!

OF COURSE, times have changed and everything is moving faster and faster, but does that mean that only "We The People" have to carry the water or do the dirty work???

Will there EVER be ANY change if the Democrats are selling out to corporations JUST LIKE the Repukes??? And sadly, to put it very simply, MONEY is the ONLY thing that drives politics today!

As with Cindy Sheehan and how her movement grew, could you envision the Democratic "base" actually wanting a leader to stand up and say ENOUGH!! She was only one woman, and she stood her ground, and we cheered her and still are. Have any Democrats been out there with her??

You say they stay "mum" because they need to get re-elected and I say WHY? If they are unwilling to do the "hard work" now, when many gates have been opened up for them, what makes you think they will do the "hard work" if re-elected??

I went to the Kerry rally the Sunday before the election, looked into his eyes as I shook his hand and left with the feeling that he was truly a compassionate, caring and wonderful person. I THOUGHT I saw an earnest desire to fight for those less fortunate. To this day I still believe he WON, but how hard did he fight back?? In my mind we have actually been victims of TWO fraudulent elections, yet still I wait for the Phoenix to rise!

We The People... still need a LEADER! I'll be the first to "report for duty", but someone isn't getting MY message!

[CrispyQ]

5. I share your pessimism &

it is a daily fight for me, to not give in to hopelessness & despair.

Thom Hartmann says the neocons are infiltrating the Dem party via the DLC. Many of the same corporations that back Bushco contribute to the DLC. As long as the DLC has such influence over the Dem party they will not represent WE THE PEOPLE. These guys are more loyal to their bank accounts than they are to honest democracy. They will not risk losing their corporate sponsorship to stand up for WE THE PEOPLE. They are happy (& making lots of money) with the status quo.

He also states that whichever of the two parties a third party most closely resembles, that is the party a third party will hurt. But he also says that alternative parties have an important place in American politics as "incubators of ideas & nexus points for activism" & he points out how many groups in the past have become powerful influencers on both the current parties.

Personally, I will vote Green before I vote for another DLC dem/repub-lite. I have changed my affiliation from Dem to non-affiliated. And I'm considering writing to every DLC dem & telling them this, although my past letter campaigns have gotten little to no response.

I recommend this book, a great reminder of what our founding fathers had in mind when constructing the Constitution & also some of the very serious trials & tribulations our country has faced in the past & overcome.

"We the People: A Call to Take Back America" by Thom Hartmann

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1882109384/qid=1128431582/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-5792740-7358366?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Thom is a little more optimistic than I am, but it's a good read & worth it! It's written in comic book fashion & is a quick read. Also if you have children, it is an excellent book for them, as well.

Hang in there ChiciB1! The corporate state is counting on the despair & hopelessness of dissenting voices & they have the resources to wait us out until each & everyone of us finally gives up. Let's not let that happen. We are better than they are, stronger than they are & we are right!

[ChiciB1]

33. Hey, So Sorry For Getting Back To This Discussion So Late... HOWEVER

this AM as I was responding to you, all of a sudden my Internet connection went POOF! How's that for paranoia?? Seems Comcast had some MAJOR malfunction and I'm JUST NOW able to connect again.

A REAL bummer!

As I started to mention this morning I have actually made an effort to check the Greens out in my area... all 20 or so of them. And while they are vociferously and adamantly against the policies of this Regime, the numbers here are pathetic! I live in a heavily Repuke county, represented by none other than Creulla herself, Katherine Harris.

I agree with everything you say, but I take exception to just one thing! There are two things I try to avoid, one is EVER letting Bush or the thugs on my TV, and the other is trying not to use the word RIGHT! I have begun to replace it with the word "correct!" Just my attempt at a little humor here.

I am an avid reader and I WILL get the book and read it, if only to see if I can glean a little more optimism. I thank you for the suggestion. I also thank you for understanding what I'm trying to say.

Now I see that a small ruckus has erupted here and I would like to jump in there too with a few comments.

[Binklyjay]

9. Take back the party

I wouldn't waste anymore time waiting for Democratic party to find its tongue or its backbone. Ain't gonna happen. The Democratic party has become the left wing of the Republican party. I think Ralph Nader would be justified in giving everyone on the left a big I Told You So. Before we can hope to get back our country, we have to get back our party.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

12. Let me go out on a limb and guess that you're not a Democrat at all?

I'm guessing you're either green or socialist, aren't you?

[PassingFair]

16. Let me go out on a limb and guess:

War profiteering, dot-com theiving, wolves in sheeps clothing are just peachy-keen with you, as long as they come with a (D) behind their name.

It may surprise you to know that many democrats want dramatic change in the corporate controlled structure of OUR OWN PARTY.

Maybe you and Mr. Benchley have tallied 'oer long on the cocktail circuit. What?What?
Time to put down the martinis and wipe the sneers off of your faces.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

17. Oh yes, you got me! I LOVE war profiteering.

:sarcasm:

You want to change corporate controlled politics? Fight to change the SYSTEM. The party itself can't do shit about it because the system forces them to be beholden to it. You can't win an election without money, and you can't get money without befriending people that have money.

Perhaps you should put down your self-righteousness for a minute and actually learn the way the system works. Maybe then instead of fighting blindly you can start fighting against the REAL enemy.

[PassingFair]

19. We ARE fighting to change the system.

And apparently we will have to fight through people like you.

Maybe between slurps of your cocktail, you can find time to read up (reader's digest version), I'm sure you're a very busy creature, on how much of an effect the populace CAN have on the SYSTEM.

We CAN raise money AND shoeleather from our OWN pockets.

http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/rcah/html/ah_070500_populism.htm

Or, we can just let the demicans and republicrats continue to murder and pillage in OUR NAMES.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

22. So let me get this straight

You're not a Democrat and you're on DU to bash Democrats. Do I have that correct?

[PassingFair]

23. Wrong.

I am a democrat, I am an equal opportunity basher. You have nothing correct.

Is it OK to bash Zell Miller?
Get back to me after the "Joementum" meeting.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[PassingFair]

27. Oh...off to tip a few with Mr. Benchley?

I will enjoy being ignored by you.

Enjoy your "party" whilst the hoi polloi such as myself reform it from the bottom up.

[MrBenchley]

28. He'd be better company than some

"the hoi polloi such as myself reform it from the bottom up"
You're off to a helluva start (snicker)....

[PassingFair]

29. Indeed I am.

and indeed WE are.

"TeeHeeHee

*snort*snicker..."

You need a tissue or something?

[MrBenchley]

30. Yeah, it shows. (snicker)

[MrBenchley]

24. Isn't that special?

Can't wait until he raises shoe leather....

[ChiciB1]

35. That Was A Very Simplistic Comment...

So you're NOT a Democrat if someone disagrees with you??

I'm getting the impression that your actually more upset than I am.

[MrBenchley]

15. Fuck Ralph Nader and the horse he rode in on

[European Socialist]

18. good post

The Democrats have proved Nader right over the past 5 years-and I wish it wasn't so-but it is.

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. For somre reason, the votes tend to send people like this to Washington

Would anyone care to speculate why?

[win_in_06]

26. I hope we remember how steadfast the CBC has been, as you pointed out

...and demand that they be fairly represented in the next Democratic administration.

[OzarkDem]

31. Lobbyists are in control

Elected Dems in DC have been brainwashed into thinking they can stand by silently while Bush implodes and retake power, all while doing the bidding of their corporate masters.

Lobbyists have invested a great deal of money in incumbent Dems in Congress and doubtless have promised a great deal more, especially now that Junior and the Hammer Boys in Congress are in so much hot water.

The strategy apparently is to allow teams to change, but keep the corporate culture in Washington DC the same.

[CrispyQ]

32. You hit the nail on the head with this comment:

"The strategy apparently is to allow teams to change, but keep the corporate culture in Washington DC the same."

Regardless of which team is 'in power', both teams are rakin' in the dough with the status quo, while WE THE PEOPLE are being sold down the river by our 'representatives.'

Until we get corporations out of the political process I see little chance of change. As for how to do that, it's going to have to start at the bottom & work up. Local governments are going to have to implement laws & regulations that reign in corporate dominance & regulate their behavior. Unfortunately, for that to happen, WE THE PEOPLE must start paying attention to what our city councils & state legislators are doing in our name & with our tax dollars.

Arghh!!! I don't have much faith in people paying attention as long as they are comfortable.

[ChiciB1]

36. Once Again... I Whole-Heartedly Agree

And I see that today even MORE DU'ers are beginning to see the light!!!