Party Unity
Submitted by earthwater on Thu, 02/22/2007 - 8:50am
I've been reading *Crashing the Gate*, and it really drives home the point that because of divisiveness over every splinter group's special interests, the Democratic Party hasn't accomplished a whole lot since the 70s, the Republican right has torn down much of what we did accomplish, and we have the worst president ever. They give an example of one good progressive Democrat who was defeated because he happened to be anti-abortion, while his far right Republican opponent was pro-choice. If NARAL had put its special interest aside to get this seat, they would have been in no danger of an anti-abortion vote, but the party would have been stronger for it.
That's the trouble we're in because of our narrow special interests, and we only have to look to the Republicans to see how we should be shelving those interests and focusing on gaining effective political power. Power first; special interests will have something done about their specific issues later.
So in that vein, I understand why Robert commented on my Medicare for Acupuncture bit by talking about Health Care for All. He's right — but keep your eye out for my issue when it comes up again! — we need to be focused on the issues of the moment.
Health Care for All is timely for us now, and we should be all over it. But let's not forget that the greatest priority is finding a presidential candidate who can WIN before the Republican right completely stacks the judicial benches and entrenches their agenda for the next 20-40 years. We also need to increase our legislative majority from the local level on up to the Congress. These priorities need to be on the front burner, and let's all realize that's the only way our individual pet issues are going to make progress in the long term.
Everyone should read *Crashing the Gate* if you haven't already. It's a very empowering set of ideas for Democrats. We need to again be the unified party of power for the people. Otherwise we look like the other side of the same coin, and corporate globalism will crush us all under the weight of repression and control, not to mention the weight of Greenland's meltwater.
You make a point...
and last night watching the news I saw where a DEMOCRATIC NYC City Councilman was proposing that non-citizens be allowed to vote in all elections including city, state, & national.
Maybe his proposal will die a timely death and maybe not...but JUST THE SIMPLE FACT THAT HE MADE SUCH AN INANE PROPOSAL AND THAT HE WAS PROMINENTLY IDENTIFIED AS A DEMOCRAT makes our party look like a bunch of boobs...IMHO.
Stan Bozarth
Or ensuring felons get to vote
like Hillary wanted to do. Granted, most felons who have done their time can vote in most states, but fighting for the voting rights of felons isn't necessarily the best platform.
Perhaps we should send a copy of "Crashing The Gates"
to all the dems on Capital Hill, along with a note that their jobs are in as much jeopardy as the Republics in the next election unless they get off their A**es and start doing something. I am soooooo tired of this game of chance they and the shrub are taking with American lives. They need to be reminded that this is not a virtual GAME, it is real lives, with blood and guts and those left behind!
(Can you tell I'm feeling better today?)
No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.
Progressive Discussions My Blog
Firedoglake delivered each of them a copy last year
There is even video of it and most were excited to get their copy.
Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.
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Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.
They probably handed the book to someone on their staff
and asked for a three sentence summary. It is incomprehensible that these people, supposedly with an IQ somewhat higher than that of a dog biscuit, can't find their own ass with both hands.
Stan Bozarth
Power Plus
I would agree in principle, however, at the Federal level, "Power first" didn't produce as much change for Republicans as expected and, at the State level, "Power first" hasn't really produced stellar results.
I'd reframe it as Power Plus.