The American Way

[H2O Man]

As we approach the 2012 election season, there is a distinct possibility that we shall see more angry and divisive arguments of the General Discussion forum of the Democratic Underground. The differences of opinion, which reflect very real beliefs and values among our community's members, are real, and not the result of republican infiltrators or democratic traitors. For example, the person who strongly supports President Obama, and the person who feels betrayed by him, both represent valid Democratic Party points of view.

There are a few concepts that I think most of us would agree upon. The Congress of the United States is broken. This is perhaps more true in terms of the House of Representatives, than the Senate; yet that Senate is, at very best, dysfunctional in terms of representing the best interests of the lower- and middle class citizens of our nation. And the U.S. Supreme Court has proved to be an advocate for corporate interests, rather than for the Constitution. To say that what we know as the “American way” is endangered is a gross understatement.

More, we should be able to agree that the synergy of amoral corporations, immoral political hacks, the self-righteous religious right, and the acrimonious Tea Party, makes the very survival of that “American way” unlikely. For as horrible as they are – and they are indeed far worse than horrible – we have to give these devils their due: they are organized and active in their assault on the American way.

Frequently, we read people say that the Democratic Party needs something similar to the Tea Party. I sometimes think that we actually have some options that already exist. It may be that individuals need to be more organized and active participants in their programs, in order to make one or more a higher profile alternative to the insanity of the Tea Party. One that I have a great deal of respect for is “People For the American Way.”

This organization came into being in the early days of the Reagan administration. Over the decades, they have done some extremely important work to oppose the rabid right. For example:

In 1984, they helped defeat a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution which would have mandated prayer in public schools.

In 1987, they helped defeat Robert Bork's nomination to the Supreme Court. Bork is representative of the rabid right's opposition to Civil Rights and Human Rights.

In 1995, they were successful in defeating the “Christian Coalition's” efforts to end all federal funding for the arts, humanities, and public broadcasting.

In 2000, the began their public education program, still ongoing, to teach the public about the relationship between the Supreme Court and the rights people may take for granted in their daily lives.

In 2004, they released a ground-breaking report on the Bush-Cheney administration's attack on the U.S. Constitution, focusing on detention policies and domestic spying.

In 2006, they mobilized literally thousands of poll workers in an attempt to insure that every person's vote counted.

In 2008, they began an intensive program to educate the voters in key states on the impact their vote would have on determining the make-up of the Supreme Court.

In 2009, lobbied for the confirmation of Justice Sotomayor; helped to pass “hate crimes” legislation; and helped expose the money trail in the radical right's attacks on health care reform.

In 2010, began a campaign to push for a constitutional amendment to correct the terrible “Citizens United v FEC” ruling; helped coordinate the “Drop Fox” boycott of Fox News sponsors; and petitioned against the adoption of “flat earth” Texas text books in public schools.

There are other high-quality groups and organizations, such as the Southern Poverty Law Center, that are on the front lines in our cultural civil war.

As we enter the 2012 election season, it is not my goal to try to convince anyone of who they should campaign or vote for. I trust that everyone here is as capable of deciding for themselves, as I am for myself. But I will suggest that there may be a benefit to viewing the election contests in part in the context of being a supporter/member of these organizations, as well as Democrats.

Peace,
H2O Man

[sabrina 1]

1. It is true that there are good organizations already in place.

Color of Change, is another one. They too have contributed to boycotts against Glenn Beck eg and I think their work was what caused O'Keefe et al to go after Van Jones.

Thanks for the information on PFAW, I get their emails and I agree, they are a great activist organization.

[Me.]

2. God, Remember How We All Felt Election Night 2008?

People here in the city were yelling out their windows....Sigh

[stevedeshazer]

3. Your timeline is excellent.

Thanks, my friend.

[mrdmk]

4. The up-coming election is not going to be just angry, but very angry

Here in California, ninety-nine percent of the wealth is controlled by one percent of the population. Also, since the Bush Jr. Administration raped California with the help of Pete Wilson with a supposed electric energy crisis, the state's economy went from being the fifth largest in the world to the eight largest. California has got and is getting screwed daily and a lot people are not happy about it. Our current unemployment rate is at or above twelve percent with a Democrat as Governor. Not pretty here at all!

btw: In the year 2002, Sixteen Billion dollars went from the California Treasury straight to Texas Power companies (corporations).

[mmonk]

5. Both the People for the American Way and the Southern Poverty Law

Center are excellent (just recently received another Intelligence Report from the SPLC). Maybe these days, The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare might be something people could join. One I think is worth supporting is the Center for Constitutional Rights. There are many approaches to be involved. And for better communities join http://wishadoo.com/">Wishadoo!.