As a Democrat (life-long, labor,union), I gotta say if we can't coalesce simply around the fact that

[silvershadow]

we must stand together and insist that the Constitution be followed, that secrecy and Second Supreme Courts (unaccountable to anyone but the Chief Justice), and recognize that the the power itself is being wrested, fingernail by fingernail, from us, the voters, then we will not survive as a party, nor as a nation.

Every single thing that has happened since the installation of GWB has been patently illegal, no matter how well-intentioned. We need to stand firm, as we did back during those years here. In other words, "Snap out of it!". We are in the eye of the storm itself, so don't get all bogged down in the minute (sp) of the details of each indivial outrage, if you will. The people suffering from outrage fatigue have been in abundance here over many months and years now.

That's what they want. To wear you down. Make you give up. They actually probably can't believe it themselves, that they have gotten away with it all for this long. We need as many Democrats to stand up and be proud, and stand up in your communities, go to meetings, meet folks, mingle with like-minded folks, help out!

The American public at large is fed up with it all, the narrative at the moment is that Republicans are on the ropes. While it's a long way off, things can change, and not sure how true that is anyway that they are on the ropes, but if they are...then now is the time to get involved. Volunteer for the party. Volunteer for a campaign. Register Voters. Canvass. Write letters to the editor. Why? Because your country needs you right now, as badly as it ever needed anyone! You are important in your community, simply because you are a part of it! The only reason our party exists is because good people before you did just that!

To just simply accept things as "that's the way it is" is not the way forward. We need to insist that in this new age of constant war, constant terror, constant threats and constant surveillance, it's not enough to just now begin discussions on new safeguards for things we don't even know are gong on.

We must insist, first, that our government be accountable to the people, and to the letter of the law...and that if that is not enough to protect us, and that all these cirque-de-soliel secret, patently unconstitutional courts are really necessary, then we need to have a fully informed national debate about it, and we need to adopt additional Amendments or even re-write the document itself to match modern times.

I am not a radical. I am a Democrat. I am an ordinary American, with nothing to hide from them, yet I don't like it. I can't explain it, but I just know they do NOT need to vacuum up every possible clue, and it appears they are doing just that. I can say, without a doubt, that there is a better way. I just know exactly what I have seen, we all have, and we are just suffering from a long period of Stockholm Syndrome, or some such mass effect as a nation, and through our politics. I don't want my government, the one I am part owner in, the one which acts in my name, to be associated with knowing every single thing about me, right down to when it is I might be taking dump, and which hand I wipe with.

I don't want it knowing that about you, either. That's not who we are as a nation. they know it, too. They just think they actually have that much control over the masses. They would be dumb-asses to think such a thing, not as long as the internet exists, not as long as free communication allows people to freely assemble and associate. Look at things like the Arab Spring, or the thing in Mexico, etc. It just happens.

It's not like there's an "organization" behind it all. It's sometimes spontaneous, it just happens. So, I'm hoping that politically, we Democrats are ready this time. I know I am. Are you? If those of us that hang out on DU are not locally engaged, we will not keep the party's feet to the fire. If our voices aren't right along with some of the establishment folks, then we will keep getting, for example, McCauliffe's. (Not picking on him, I'll hold my nose and take him if it helps us gain the seat, but I doubt he would ever challenge the security state elements of our government in any meaningful way).

They say you can't change an organization from outside, but from within. So why not get involved with the local party this cycle? Am I being a Pollyanna? Or am I reading the tea-leaves wrong? I think right now is the *perfect time to get something done, after all these years (12 now and counting). Thoughts?

[Demo_Chris]

1. rec

[silvershadow]

4. ty. nt.

[Eleanors38]

2. Recommend. Before our very eyes.

[silvershadow]

3. ty. nt. :/

[cantbeserious]

5. Agree - Democracy Is Under Assault

eom

[silvershadow]

6. Btw, the TPP trade deal will be another blow to democracy itself. I will add that, too. nt

[silvershadow]

8. Welcome to DU! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with little ol' me on your very first post!

First, about the TOS here: Ooooh, doggies. I've run afoul a few times myself, always on accident. It bruises your ego for a minute if you let it, but smack it off and don't do it again and move on (but try to learn em and be respectful as you can). Note: This is important, if you aren't a Democrat you don't belong here. (re: your blind party loyalty comment). On the other hand, you also may have pointed out to me that the real center of gravity in this whole deal at the moment is the middle of America, which includes some disaffected Republicans, my friend, in which case perhaps inertia is on our side.

More about DU, from my perspective anyway is, it being the internet and all, that we can from time to time have sharp elbows, either accidentally or on purpose. I try not to get into too much interpersonal sparring, but some here delight in it...(probably trolls and such, but we dispatch with them pretty quickly, usually).

And your last comment told the real tale of it all, anyway: the money. We have to get the money out of politics. On that, anyway, I agree.

[zeemike]

11. Welcome to DU.

I think you are the majority in the party not the minority...but the unfortunate thing is that the money flows to the minority who move to the right so they can get more of it...and that minority seems to control things pretty well leaving the majority like you scratching their head.

[Pholus]

10. Thank you -- that was well written! nt

[bluedeathray]

12. Are there any legal, non violent means

By which we can begin an action against the government?

I'm aware of immunity statutes to some degree. But how can we organize an effective fight against the dismantling of our Republic?

I'm up for ideas, and able to do lots. But I'm not into dead ends.

*edited for spelling

[bluedeathray]

14. Or this, by Frederick Douglass

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”


BTW, I took that oath 38 years ago. It still applies.

[kentuck]

15. Big Kick and R !!!

I hope everyone is listening.