An Ominous Complacency

[DemBones DemBones]

by Ernest Partridge, The Crisis Papers, August 28, 2007

Partidge begins by stating that the Democratic Party has a commanding lead over the GOP in polls, and describes the public's dissatisfactions with the war, the lies that got us into the war, the economic situation - - 40 million Americans without healthcare insurance, millions more just one serious illness away from financial ruin, and personal bankrutcy no long an escape for those crushed by huge medical bills -- the public's growing realization that the last two presidential elections were stolen, etc. And then he says:


"And so, among the Democrats and their supporters, and even in the media, there is less talk of “if” the Democrats win the next election, and more talk of “when” they win. Confidence is breaking out among the progressives, followed by its bastard child, complacency, as a Democratic sweep in 2008 appears to be inevitable. "

"And it would be, if the usual twentieth century rules applied: honest and verifiable elections, a diverse and vigilant media, constitutional guarantees intact, and each contending party willing and prepared to concede defeat in the national election. Under those conditions, my rough and intuitive guess would be that the Democrats would have a 90% chance of retaking the White House and gaining formidable majorities in both houses of Congress."

"But twentieth century conditions do not apply. Because they don’t, and because the Democrats refuse to recognize and adapt to this fact, choosing instead to play by the old, non-operative rules, the next President will likely be a Republican. If the Democrats persist in their folly, I’d set the odds of another Republican in the White House at about four-to-one. As for the Congress, it could go either way, but whichever party wins, the majorities will be close. And, as the current Democratic Congress is making all too clear today, if the Democrats maintain control of Congress, this should be of little consequence to the succeeding GOP “unitary executive.” Acts of Congress deemed inconvenient to the President will either be vetoed, or, failing that, nullified by “signing statements,” and laws that the President cannot persuade the Congress to pass will be issued as Executive Orders. Just as they are today."

"For if the Democratic Congress refuses now to act to reclaim its Constitutionally separate powers, what reason is there to believe that it will do so if the next President is a Republican? "


He goes on to explain what Democrats must do. A key factor is to realize that both parties have moved to the right of the voters. Eric Alterman wrote “the majority of Americans have actually moved slightly leftward – leaving the center of gravity of the political system well to the right of the public on issue after issue.”

Partridge goes on to say that Democrats should run as progressives -- not liberals because the right has so tarnished that word -- but progressives. He makes good points. If Dems want to win, they can't be complacent and they can't take the same positions the Republicans do. They also must fight back against any attacks this time, and they should fire all the consultants who've helped them lose in the past, saying that if Bob Shrum is a senior campaign adviser again, it might be a good idea to check out property in Belize.


more. . .

http://www.crisispapers.org/essays7p/complacency.htm

[DemBones DemBones]

1. Kick for the morning/afternoon crew; it's a good read, guys.

:kick:

Thanks to those who recommended this thread.

[tom_paine]

2. How can so many people see so much of what is going on and STILL

cannot deflect the course of the Trek to Totalitarianism more than a few millimeters.

I have come near to the sad decision that Victor Klemperer did in Germany in 1937, that Hitler was on some level the embodiment of the German Soul.

http://consortiumnews.com/2007/090507.html

So, it is true for Bushler and the Imperial Subjects of Amerika, I am beginning to think. We as a people can no longer be held guiltless for the actions of those who pretend to rule in our name.

[txaslftist]

3. Totally agree with your post, TP.n/t

[DemBones DemBones]

7. I just re-read the book "Authoritarianism" that your sig links to.

I think he's added to it since I last read it or maybe I'd just forgotten some things. I know he added "the late" in front of Jerry Falwell's name and a couple of other updates.

Stayed up all night reading it and trying to figure out how to connect with the high RWA followers, how to show them that 1) they have been lied to and used by the high RWA leaders and that 2) progressives are not the evil people that they have been led to believe we are.

It was interesting that high RWAs become less prejudiced against gays if they know someone who is gay. Maybe they just need to know someone who is progressive? I know a number of high RWAs and some don't seem to listen to anything anyone says that goes against their opinions in the slightest -- they literally just talk louder, all but sticking their fingers in their ears and going "LALALALALA I can't hear you!" -- but maybe knowing those of us who are progressive is having some effect. It's hard to tell. I just want to look for land in Belize about now. . .

Every progressive ought to read that book. Maybe it's time for a thread about it???
If you can fit it in between the clutter in GD and GDP, that is.

[Senator]

4. He Also Says "Impeachment" -- We Must Say It Too...

...every time we open a mouth -- in every post -- on every forum -- in every chat room -- on every blog -- to every cab driver -- to every clerk/cashier -- to every waiter -- to every relative (just duck) -- in every conversation -- make up a reason -- nothing's more important -- no, not even "the war" -- talk is the cure for impeachophobia -- impeachment is the panacea -- it will end the war -- it will provide universal healthcare -- it will reverse male pattern baldness -- you just have to repeat the word enough -- just say it, now again -- keep saying it out loud -- say it in public -- say it to no one in particular -- say it in the confessional -- say it over the phone -- say it to telemarketers -- say it to donation solicitors -- say it in writing -- write it on walls -- write it on bills -- write it on magazines in waiting rooms -- write it on our currency -- write it on envelopes -- write it in letters to the editors -- write it in emails -- write it on faxes -- write it on your clothes -- write it on your cars -- write it on you briefcases -- write it into your will -- write it LARGER -- SAY IT LOUDER -- angrily refuse to hear or discuss anything else at all.

Every instance is step to getting it said where it needs to be said.

Only Impeachment ... says anything worth saying.

---

[DemBones DemBones]

5. It's going to be tough getting this Congress to impeach.

They know they have cause to do so but they don't have the courage to do so.

[Senator]

6. They need to be told over and over

...that there is nothing else they CAN do and that there is nothing else they ARE doing. And that if they believe anyting else, they're just kidding themselves.

The message is beginning to get through. It will be tough but not impossible.

---

[DemBones DemBones]

8. Republicans need to be told, too.

But you know what? I'm afraid to tell my GOP rep and senators (thank you Diebold) that they should impeach their heroes.

[Senator]

9. Ah, that's just a matter of "style"

You write to them and say you are a wavering supporter, who can no longer accept the extreme claims and actions of the regime.

You remind them that this unchecked power could soon be in the hands of a Queen Hillary or Emperor Obama and that the only way to stop that is to repudiate this rogue crowd that's dragging the Grand Old Party into permanent minority status.

You might also remind them that, as a gov't official, their refusal to act to stop the ongoing torture makes them a war criminal themself -- and that we don't get to "make the rules" on war crimes for the rest of the world.

---

[DemBones DemBones]

True. I've never said I was a supporter but

I have asked how they could expect my support when they did X.

[DemBones DemBones]

10. True. I've never said I was a supporter but

I have asked how they could expect my support when they did X.