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H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 01:20 AM Mar 2014

Rage Against the Republican Machine


"Share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, cover him ....
Then shall your light break through like the dawn
and your healing shall spring up speedily."
-- Isaiah, 58: 7-8

The 2014 mid-term elections are rapidly approaching, and 2016 will be here before you know it. The questions at the national level are: which party will control the House and Senate during President Obama's final two years in office, and who will take the Oval Office after Obama?

The answers to those questions should be the most obvious -- that it will be determined by how many people get out to vote, and who they vote for. Yet, as the 2000 presidential election showed, that isn't always true. More, for all the republican party's claims about voter fraud, the truth is that they are playing point in the effort to disenfranchise specific groups of potential voters.

Thus, other dynamics come into play. An important example can be found in the tea party movement. While it hasn't reached its full potential to damage the seams of the republican party, it has -- specifically in primaries -- removed some of the dehydrated fecal matter from the bowels of the republican machine. Luckily, it has produced candidates who are proud to explain that, "I am NOT a witch."

A structurally similar dynamic has, over the years, impacted the Democratic Party. This is because the Democratic Party can only access full power when it has the support of the Democratic Left, which includes people who may not be registered democrats. Although a segment of registered democrats are part of the Democratic Left, it also includes other liberals and progressives; they might be independents, Greens, socialists, or identify themselves in different ways.

At the grass roots level, the actual activists are found at a higher percentage among the Democratic Left, than in the Democratic Party itself. Those activists are the men and women who go door-to-door, who run the phone banks, who hand out fliers on street corners, and other things that help to get out the vote.

Traditionally, republicans can be depended upon to do whatever they are instructed to do: contribute dollars to campaigns, and vote for all (and only) republican candidates. Indeed, the average republican is a mere cog in a machine that produces results that frequently are not in the cogs' best interests. So long as the party's leadership serves up hatred and fear, it can count on the cog vote.

Individuals from both the Democratic Party and Democratic Left are much more likelt to think for themselves, and to have positive values; the resulting synergy can lead to their not always voting the way that the Democratic Party's leadership tells them to. Hence, the democratic candidates cannot be assured of a large turn-out from potential supporters.

This can lead to the type of tensions that we see here, on the Democratic Underground, during campaign season. Both the Democratic Party and the Democratic Left have found their fullest strength when working together. The party is frequently limited in the scope of candidates it can win general elections in, without the left. And the left has rather limited power in the current political context. While both the party and left do have options for increasing their strength alone, it seems obvious that their combined efforts hold the greatest promise.

This, of course, raises some obvious questions. What forces prevent greater coordination between the party and the left? And what steps might remove such roadblocks?

I am a registered democrat; I have been since reaching voting age. In those same years, I have been a member of the Democratic Left. Like many others on this forum, I've had experience, as a candidate and as a campaign worker/ manager, in town, county, and state contests. I've been an active volunteer in presidential elections. I've taken a fair share of political science courses in college; read hundreds of informative books on campaigns; and have had the pleasure of learning from some outstanding grass roots activists over the decades.

Thus, I'm certainly not coming from any high places, but rather, am speaking from my grass roots experiences. My opinions on the relationship between the Party and the Left are just that -- my opinions. Others view things differently, and I respect that. There are relatively few black-and-white issues in political science.

Current trends in Washington, DC, should concern all of us. The outlook for the mid-term elections for the House and Senate should be unacceptable. The republican party offers no solutions, except for tax cuts to enrich the 1%. The necroconservatives are itching for a war (to be fought by other people's sons and daughters). Their lust for wealth would further destroy the environment.

The Democratic Party should be burying the republicans, both in congressional races and at various state levels. The fact that they are not is evidence that something is wrong. Very wrong. I say that, as someone who thinks that the vast majority of elected democrats in DC are doing a shameful job of representing our interests and values. That doesn't change the fact that the republicans are far worse, and have betrayed our nation.

There was a report on MSNBC last night, that listed many of the candidates for office being related to past officials, such as Rand Paul. This isn't limited to the republicans. Having political dynasties is damaging to our system, as it confirms that certain families are fronting for the elites. If there is a Bush vs Clinton contest in 2016, one can at very least accept that much of the Democratic Left will view it as diagnostic of the failure of the current two-party system. You can respect Hillary Clinton, and despise Jeb Bush, and still believe this type of thing could happen only because our system is sick.

Many thoughtful democratic loyalist recognize that we face very real problems, and that the usual democratic candidates are corporate lap dogs. Too many democrats attempt to use shallow scare tactics: if you don't vote for so-n-so, you are responsible for George W. Bush or others like him. It's not good to limit your own thinking, or to try to limit the mental options of others.

It's important that we not limit our thinking. I had long respected Ralph Nader, but by 2000, thought he had become bitter. I definitely supported Al Gore, 100%. Now, there are good people who mistakenly believe Nader cost Gore the election. Baloney. The US Supreme Court participated in a plot to steal the presidency. We must understand the full implications of that fact, in order to defend ourselves today and in the future. If we are to defend ourselves, we have to be able to identify exactly who our enemy is. And we need to understand the nature of that enemy.

When we identify that enemy, we'll find that many other groups have that in common with us. We face a common enemy. It's far better that the Democratic Party and the Democratic Left find common ground. It goes beyond that common enemy. We share values, and interests.

When we have that much in common, we should be working together. It doesn't mean that we will always agree. And there isn't a "one size fits all" way to deal with those areas of disagreement. But, in general, we should be able to agree to all support the strongest candidates we can. While most at the congressional level will be from the Democratic Party, there should be a growing number of candidates from the Democratic Left.

If we expect the Democratic Left to not only vote for Democratic Party candidates, but to invest their time and money in the campaigns, there has to be the same type of consideration for their candidates. This doesn't mean splitting the vote and thus allowing a republican victory. It simply means supporting the best candidate. In doing so, we reduce the obnoxious, paternal "you have no other choice but us" attitude that far too many establishment democrats take. That attitude is toxic, and can only increase resentments.

In my opinion, it's not too late to pull off a significant number of election victories in 2014. But in order to do so, the Democratic Party has to get back to its traditional values. Attempts to out-republican the republicans will cause humiliating defeats. Let's get the party back to where it once belonged.

Peace,
H2O Man
28 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Rage Against the Republican Machine (Original Post) H2O Man Mar 2014 OP
A late night R&K for a late night post. longship Mar 2014 #1
Thanks. H2O Man Mar 2014 #2
Great Post! You won't here any arguments coming from this latitude. K&R. nt adirondacker Mar 2014 #3
Thank you. H2O Man Mar 2014 #13
Excellent and important post. K&R. Thanks, H2O Man. Scuba Mar 2014 #4
Thank you. H2O Man Mar 2014 #21
H20 Man's most excellent adventure, er, I mean post. DU Must Read. cali Mar 2014 #5
Thank you, my Wonderful Sister! H2O Man Mar 2014 #22
Great job. wandy Mar 2014 #6
Thanks! H2O Man Mar 2014 #25
K&R G_j Mar 2014 #7
Thank you! H2O Man Mar 2014 #26
Read this. You'll rec it once you do. cali Mar 2014 #8
Excellent post. In so many ways. Bluenorthwest Mar 2014 #9
Thanks! H2O Man Mar 2014 #27
Recommend.... KoKo Mar 2014 #10
Thank you. H2O Man Mar 2014 #28
Recommended and bookmarking it too. Autumn Mar 2014 #11
Do we need to form some sort of coalition? hootinholler Mar 2014 #12
This is an interesting idea, especially because there seems to be... polichick Mar 2014 #23
Mainly because it's difficult to create wealth by doing good things for the long term hootinholler Mar 2014 #24
This is a mixed bag. gulliver Mar 2014 #14
silly H2O Man Mar 2014 #16
Why so Condescending? fascisthunter Mar 2014 #18
"I have no need for sermons" - you say, while sermonizing. lol polichick Mar 2014 #20
K&R n/t bobthedrummer Mar 2014 #15
My Fear is That with the Third Way in the Way... fascisthunter Mar 2014 #17
Well done, I don't think this can be said any better than this. Zorra Mar 2014 #19

longship

(40,416 posts)
1. A late night R&K for a late night post.
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 01:53 AM
Mar 2014

Yup! I am an EST bigot. But I hope this OP gets the exposure it deserves.


H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
21. Thank you.
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 06:34 PM
Mar 2014

I really appreciate the responses from you and the vast majority of people here. I think it is an important OP - not because I wrote it, but because it needs to be said.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
5. H20 Man's most excellent adventure, er, I mean post. DU Must Read.
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 07:02 AM
Mar 2014

Beautifully written with a great tone.

H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
22. Thank you, my Wonderful Sister!
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 06:39 PM
Mar 2014

A close friend visited me last night, and we talked about a couple of "local" issues for several hours. When she left, I had the urge to talk some more. I guess it is an excellent adventure! (grin)

A lot of the stuff that I write these days, including here on DU, is fluff. Every so often, I try to say something important. And I think the OP fits in that group. The one response from the Elvis impersonator confirms that. But I much prefer the kind words from you & others!

H2O Man

(73,333 posts)
26. Thank you!
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 10:09 PM
Mar 2014

Hey -- I've been gathering rocks and wood .....ceremony this coming weekend. I wish that you could stop over.

KoKo

(84,711 posts)
10. Recommend....
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 09:51 AM
Mar 2014

Last edited Sun Mar 23, 2014, 10:56 AM - Edit history (1)

but realize how complicated it is. So much work to do.

hootinholler

(26,449 posts)
12. Do we need to form some sort of coalition?
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 11:43 AM
Mar 2014

It seems to me if there was a discernible liberal bloc willing to support the best candidate towards their agenda, or traditionally a platform, then what could be accomplished to move the pendulum back towards the people would be stunning.


polichick

(37,152 posts)
23. This is an interesting idea, especially because there seems to be...
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 06:40 PM
Mar 2014

fewer and fewer values shared between the liberal and corporate wings of the party. The agendas don't always match up well.

hootinholler

(26,449 posts)
24. Mainly because it's difficult to create wealth by doing good things for the long term
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 06:47 PM
Mar 2014

It's almost like we have to tie the ability to create wealth to helping humanity. If there was a currency that was created by helping others, there would be a race to help people by the greedy and many problems would be solved.

gulliver

(13,142 posts)
14. This is a mixed bag.
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 02:10 PM
Mar 2014

On the one hand it correctly identifies that there are core shared values. But then it uses the Elvis pictures it saw in this morning's toast to artificially categorize and divide the people who hold those values. Then it comes right back and says Elvis was a good singer. And then it says he got his guitar style when he was visited by Apollo in a dream.

So it is damned difficult with this OP to separate the Raisenets from the rabbit poop or even gauge which ingredient belongs on the top of the Nutrition Information label. But here goes.

The OP is missing a major ingredient required of all genuine, honest analysis. It speaks of "shared values," and "common ground," and "disagreement," and "resentments," and "interests," but it never offers a single specific. The reader, given no evidence, is then left to decide whether they are looking at food or just bait. This is mainly bait.

The writer couldn't resist the temptation to value nodding heads over authentic good. I credit the writer with knowing the difference, and look forward to the next attempt. A cleaner argument is much harder, but it is of more value. We don't need to hear about lap dogs or the various divisions the writer claims to see unless they are at least tempered with a sense of proportion and a respect for supplying facts.

By all means, we should Rage against the Republican Machine. That is the value in this OP. And we should work to understand that our fellow liberals and progressives are all on the same team. If we ignore the OP's urges to isolation and anger as well as its departures from evidence-based levels of rhetoric, there is something of value in the OP.

I for one point myself toward Roosevelt-era policies, Keynesian economics, full employment, and human-centered society. I have no need for sermons. They go nowhere.

 

fascisthunter

(29,381 posts)
18. Why so Condescending?
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 03:50 PM
Mar 2014

That's a very emotional response to the OP, and nothing you claim to take issue with really warrants such a response.

 

fascisthunter

(29,381 posts)
17. My Fear is That with the Third Way in the Way...
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 03:39 PM
Mar 2014

It's hard to get back to core values when the most influential part of the party actively works against those who try to do so.

Great post!

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