DU Guide to Outrage [View All]

[AllentownJake]

Just so everyone is prepared something strange is going to be happening to DU over the next year. The political party we all generally support is going from opposition to governance. So now instead of just being angry over just about every decision are government makes we might be generally happier...sometimes.

With that in mind I thought I'd post a quick outline on how things may go on here from time to time. With the understanding like with anything else in life I'm a massive hypocrite and subject to my own emotional outburst.

If you believe Barack Obama is above critism or shouldn't be criticised because it will hurt the party, his agenda, your feelings you better grow some tougher skin. Senator Obama knew very well when he ran if he won that being President Obama would mean for himself and you should to. Will Rogers said "I don't belong to an organized political party I'm a democrat" and that is a very true statement at time. From organizing locally I've learned at times this is like herding cats.

1) Democrats generally agree on most issues. However the thing I've found out since becoming active in the party is democrats have a great difficulty in ageeing on what issue is the most important. This goes from everything to what do we fight for first from healthcare to civil rights to should we emphasize canvassing or a parade on a particular weekend to do we need to recruit local candidates better or better expose our opponents so that we can encourage local candidates.

2) If someone supports a particular issue stronger than you do it might be because they have a particular life experience on why they feel strongly. For some on here these aren't esoteric arguments they are personal. Its their or their children's health insurance, ability to marry or adopt, ability to work, job which was outsourced, water is unclean, child that was killed or maimed in a needless war. These aren't issues...these are their lives. A little empathy goes a long way and can win you friends.

3) If you don't support a particular issue that strongly and you don't think it is that big deal when the administration compromises or doesn't make it a priority better keep those thoughts to your self or get your flamesuit. You may not see the big deal but see number 2 some of these issues are personal. If you feel like fighting for the administration position by all means have at it but doen't be surprised when people you are friendly with suddenly don't like you very much.

4) People aren't evil if they don't see things your way. Just because someone doesn't feel as strongly about civil rights, the enviroment, healthcare, details of economic stimulus, etc...doesn't mean the person is a bad democrat or bad person. They just don't have the same personal experience that you do that makes you upset about that particular issue Try keeping insults to a minimum. I know its hard because some people just don't get it.

5) Because people are angry over a particular issue doesn't mean they are about to leave the party, start a third party, organize a primary against President Obama in 2012 etc. I remember alot of people in the heat of the primary battle swearing total undying allegiance to one candidate or the other. On November 4, 2008 we managed to come together. A common enemy in 2012 will be amazing to do that again so relax. It will be 2009 in a few days. 2012 is alot of battles away.