I feel insignificant, too, Congressman Stark.

[leftupnorth]

I'm 30 and a life long Democrat, you would call me a member of "the base" or "core" Democrats. I used to donate to the DNC, DSCC, and DCCC. I write letters, make phone calls, got to anti-war marches, etc. I don't post here much, but I do read a LOT. I fought, wrote, and gave until it hurt for Democrats in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, and I was all geared up for 2008, now I'm not so sure. I and many others helped gain both houses back in 2006, but now, because of the feeble and largely insignificant efforts made to end the Iraq occupation, I find myself wondering exactly what it was I was fighting for all this time.

Yes, I realize we have slim majorities in both houses, and that the GOP is being obstructionist to make us look bad.

Yes, I realize if I and many other activists stay home and stop being activists, 2008 may belong to the GOP.

Yes, I realize that we need to elect MORE "good" Democrats, like Pete Stark, or DK, or RF.

Despite all this, I still find myself wondering...

Do the people we elect REALLY listen to us? If so, when?

Is the insurgency to take over the Democratic Party by people like me doomed to fail under the heavy fire of the cowardly Blue Dog/Triangualtion/GOP infiltrators that have a death grip on our party?

How can 3/4 of the country be FOR something and nothing of significance is done to carry out their will?

Has America really hit her "rock bottom" with her love of authoritarian abusers, or is this just a temporary "Lindsey rehab recovery" before another relapse?

Is it going to take the American village being burnt in order to save it?

Two years ago I would have answered adamantly "no!" to that last question, now I'm not sure, but regretfully leaning strongly toward yes.

I don't hate the Democratic Party, or want the GOP to win, or wish destruction upon America. It doesn't give me pleasure to say any of this, but it's the truth. I feel heartbroken, disappointed, and insignificant, just like Pete Stark.

[Hydra]

1. Can you hear us up there on Mount Olympus, Congress?

I didn't think so. New soundproof buildings? Who paid for that?

[The Count]

2. Me, I feel betrayed (by the censuring sheep, not by Stark)

[leftupnorth]

3. Yes, betrayed is a good word.

[SparkyMac]

10. I wonder what they threatened him with ?

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. I'm of the opinion that the two party system in the United States is smoke

and mirrors. It doesn't exist.

[zeemike]

5. Perhaps this is all by design

Pelosi and Reid doing and saying things that make them look weak and ineffective, and Stark being forced to recant and the censure of Move On.
All of that to make us discouraged so we will just shut up and go home and get drunk and say WTF does it matter.
that would make it so much easier for them.
Then they could bring out the brown shirts and say Mission Accomplished the neo fascist now rule.

[leftupnorth]

7. I've often considered similar scenarios.

Maybe they realize they don't really want to clean up the mess Bushco has made, who would? I mean besides people that care about their country...

[Zodiak]

6. A lot of us feel that way

But I refuse to curl up and go away because we are not wanted.

Not while we still have a Constitution left.

When that is gone, all bets are off.

[leftupnorth]

9. I'm not curling up and going away forever, but my money has, and so has my optimism

about changing things for the good in the near future.

[lonestarnot]

8. disappointed, and insignificant maybe, but not heartbroken! Just damn mad!

:grr: