Where Are The Progressives?
A
BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY
by Karen
Dear BuzzFlash,
I've been reading over the rants at http://www.angrydems.com/rant.php and in the BuzzFlash mailbag at http://www.buzzflash.com/mailbag/, and a question keeps coming up in my mind. Namely, how many Americans really feel the way these ranters do? I mean, what percentage of Americans really feel this way? Does anyone know, besides a vague answer of "a lot"? Where can someone get the real, unskewed, unbiased numbers?
Do the majority of American voters really believe that this administration and a repressive, fanatical, right-wing controlled government is better for them? Or is this really a result of the media's blackout of any dissent and dissatisfaction with the current situation and widespread apathy and voter fraud, thereby giving the false appearance of widespread approval of this administration?
What's the mindset of the masses right now, the mindset of the majority? Do they really know what's going on? Do they care? Are they aware of the corruption that's being covered up on a daily basis by manipulation of the headlines by this administration?
Are the people who write in to a site like this or like your site, BuzzFlash.com, actually a minority of, albeit informed, American voters who tend to group together at these sites for the camaraderie and shared anger, or are there actually a majority of American voters who feel this way, are fed up, but just remain silent or don't know what to do about it? Sometimes, I wonder if it's really a relatively small, percentage wise, but loyal crowd who've found each other and shout out amongst the group with no one but the group listening. We seem like a large group, a majority, to ourselves, but taking a realistic and unbiased look at the facts, is this true? I would really like to know.
If we're really a relatively small minority, the more liberal of the democrats, who are disgusted with what's happening, then how do we really make a difference? I know that we must organize, that's obvious, but how do we organize in a way that will put enough pressure on the Democratic leadership, DNC and DLC to force a move back to our liberal roots and away from the "Republican Lite" attitude that the majority of Democrats in Congress have demonstrated and thus endorse? How do we purge the current leadership of Republican appeasers and bootlickers and put in place people who are courageous, true to their conscience, and not just self-serving politicians concerned mostly with their own careers, people like Senator Wellstone?
I don't think that "online petitions" are the answer. I don't believe they are taken seriously, but are mostly looked upon or at least portrayed as the ranting of a "conspiracy theory minded group of nuts". And if the media doesn't cover the story and present to the general public the level of support that these petitions generate, which they don't, then those whom the petitions are directed at don't feel any pressure to listen or show any interest. Sometimes, it seems like these just serve to get your name on a watch list as someone to harass. They expose people to potential illegal and unnecessary harassment while doing little to change the problem. They just make the corruption's job easier by presenting a ready made list of where the potential opposition to this corruption is coming from.
Money talks, but are there enough of us here to really force the Democratic leadership to listen to us if we refuse to give any more money to the party unless they quit selling us out and providing the Vaseline to the republicans? It really looks like the Democratic party has been deeply infiltrated by conservatives and is being destroyed from within. There is a lot of anger here at BuzzFlash, and a lot of good ideas being tossed around by a lot of very intelligent, thoughtful people whom I'm proud to count among my potential friends, but it seems to me that there needs to be a major effort at organization and follow through for the progressive Democratic idea to again move back into focus and inspire voters.
There has been some suggestion that liberal Democrats should form another party and abandon the Democratic party. But, honestly, isn't it true that most American voters will only vote for one of the "big two" parties and will not even consider a third party? Most people just aren't politically savvy enough or up on current events enough to make an intelligent choice for a new party if one was formed. As much as another party sounds like a great way to start fresh with good people who can be counted on, wouldn't it just siphon off Democratic votes that would, otherwise, stand to oppose right wing nonsense and corruption? Isn't that what the Green party has done?
However I look at it, it just seems to me that the best solution is to find a way to expose the republicans' true repressive, corporate-wealthy elite agenda, plus force the Democratic party back to its progressive roots, to change the party, not start a new one. But that is going to take major money and some big contributors to combat the seemingly endless republican cash flow. And it's going to take a clear-progressive liberal message and a DETAILED plan to offer the critics of how things are to be improved and corrected, widespread media exposure to get the message out, and a new progressive, more liberal leadership that will put the appeal back into the Democratic party for young and old alike and inspire both democratic and undecided voters to become active again in the party and at the polls.
Does anyone here have access to wealthy liberal democrats who are potentially large contributors to the party and who might be listened to by the party leadership? It seems that we need not only money flow from the small donor, but we also need to cultivate some deep pockets who share the same liberal views and are willing to put their money's clout behind an overhaul of the party back to its progressive, middle class roots. If campaign finance reform prevents the deep pockets from having an influence in the elections, then great, that'll hurt the republicans more than the Democrats, since the republicans couldn't win an election on merit alone anyway or without rigging the election. But if the money is permitted to come from these channels, then the Democrats need a deep well to tap also.
This will surely fall on deaf, egocentric, arrogant ears, but the current Democratic leadership needs to listen to the people they are supposed to represent. Stop shamefully acting like republican wanna-bes. Stop shamefully displaying so much admiration for the republicans and their morally bankrupt display. Do they honestly expect to be taken seriously with such behavior?
They claim that they are being unfairly blamed for what happened in the elections, and that things haven't really changed at all as far as the voter split between the parties, but no matter how they try to color it, they are to blame, because they have failed to be any force of opposition. They deserve the criticism they are getting. From where I'm standing, things could hardly be called the same as before the elections.
When they passed Shrub's tax cut for the wealthy without a peep of opposition, they sold out. When they passed the Patriot act without even reading it, they sold out. When they allowed the 2000 election to be stolen, even when the final count showed that Gore was (IS!) our elected President, they sold out. When they voted to give this administration the authority to wage a unilateral preemptive war against another nation, they sold out.
And now it looks like they are going to roll over and, as a final bird flying in the face of those they are supposed to represent, vote to give the administration his homeland security wet dream while not fully defending and protecting federal workers from unjust prosecution if they try to expose any cover-ups or corruption they might uncover. The easiest way for the corrupt people in government to prosper and hide is to silence the would-be whistle blower. Isn't it obvious that this was the intention in the first place for stripping these protections? Well, forget justice now.
The takeover of the republic is almost complete. Now, all that needs to be controlled by the administration are the federal courts. Wait!, good for them, the Democrats are now also ready to roll over and give the administration it's wish here too. Confirmation of a 100 judges like those who installed an unelected president in 2000 are now almost certainly a soon to be reality considering the unbelievable degree to which the Democratic portion of Congress is willing to appease this administration for fear of a public browbeating in front of the controlled media. Good by any sense of justice and accountability. When the Supreme Court is soon lined with the like, the takeover will be complete, total and irreversible. Then we're likely to see the arrogance of power on a scale which hasn't been seen before in our lifetimes.
The Democratic leadership has rolled over belly-up and begged their master to rub their belly. But, it seems that no matter how much the Democratic voters scream at and try to shame the leadership into acting like Democrats, the DNC-DLC leadership and representatives in Congress just ignore them and continue acting like republican appeasing wimps. It's like they used the voters to get there, and now they've been invited into an elitist rich boy's club and to hell with any sense of shame or loyalty to their constituents.
What can be done? What can be done? Surely millions of people aren't powerless to stop this! It's time for a true progressive leader to step forward before it's too late. But time is growing short. What we DON'T need is "more of the same"! We need to figure out some way to effectively take on the silenced corporate owned media, expose the right wing fanatics with their pants down, and become a force again. But we need organization, money and someone we can trust at the helm.
Joe
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