DU was the reason that back in 2003 I actually got up off my butt, out of my shyness and isolation

[DebJ]

and actually did something to make a difference in elections between 2003 and 2010.
It was the constant flow of threads with information on issues, people's positions, who was running where,
etc. Great quotes and votes references on McCain, et al, that helped me to change voters minds.

I got so involved that eventually I was asked to introduce Ted Kennedy on CNN when he came to York Pa,
something I NEVER thought I'd do, stand up in front of so many people and on TV yet.

That's all because of DU.

Can we PLEASE get back to that now? I think everyone has had ample opportunity to post their opinions
on this issue. I can understand both sides... or, maybe three sides: a)bad for future elections to be name-calling and nastily disrespectful instead of issue-focused 2) sometimes people just need to vent their frustrations at politicians and 3) have some empathy for someone who is in fear for his spouse's life...if you haven't been there yet, just hope you never will be!

At this point, I doubt that anyone's perspectives will be much changed...nothing is being accomplished except generating
negativity.

Can we please, please just get back to work making a better world now?

On Edit, maybe everyone needs to just put this on constant Replay for awhile!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018591989

[Gman]

1. It's an election year this year and negativity is the chic meme here

2010 was the worst yet while people here whined about teaching Dems a lesson over the single payer option. In 2012 the whiners got shouted down as well they should have. But there's less interest and more to whine about now, so it starts again.

[liberal N proud]

2. Same here in early 04

I got involved in the Democratic Party, joined a local group and worked the campaign.

[myrna minx]

3. Thank you for being so thoughful. We need voices like yours here.

[In_The_Wind]

4. The DU meet-up hosted by WilliamPitt in Boston helped me to stop isolating.

After becoming disabled years before, I became a shut in because (at that time) my appearance scared children.
It's been a long hard trip. Thanks to DU, my life has been fuller than I thought possible.
I miss the old DU1. I wasn't around for most of DU2 (off working without computer access). I take regular breaks from DU3 to avoid running my blood pressure up too high. [img][/img] <<< isn't always funny.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

5. Sooner or later we're going to have to go back to having moderators.

I just can't see anything else cleaning up the vitriol that's taken over this place.

[livetohike]

6. Same here, but not until March 2004. Got involved with the local Democratic Club, even became the

Treasurer and worked on the 2004 campaign to unseat Issa (lived in his CD). I would not have been so motivated if it wasn't for Democratic Underground.

[Dawgs]

7. DU was a better site back in 2003.

DU3 was made for cheerleaders. I'm not sure it will ever be like it was back in the mid-2000's.

[LiberalFighter]

8. Good for you.

There is too much negativity and unfortunately that is the nature of some people. It is one of the barriers we have to fight.