Where do we go from here?

[Mortos]

I have spent the last several days thinking about what happens now. How do we change the seemingly unchangeable? How do you motivate Americans to vote in any election if you cannot engage them in this one? If people will not make a stand against the worst failure of an administration and president in the history of our country, will they ever?

I honestly don't know. I have a very good friend who has given up. Burned his voter card and vowed never to vote again. It is hard not to give up when faced with such an apparently stunning defeat. Some have advocated leaving the country. I thought about it. But my country is worth fighting for. I think the ideals I stand for are the same as the majority of Americans, we just failed to get our message out. We allowed the other side to define us and degrade us and lie.

I will fight ever day between now and the next election to change that. Give up? Not fucking likely.

Several ideas are rolling around in my head right now. I will post them as I work them out and can present them in a clear and definitive way. Here are some of the things we can do right now to enact change:

1. Donate money to Blackboxvoting.org They are one of the best organized and prepared to take on the obvious irregularities that are now coming out about this flawed election. They have filed the largest Freedom of Information request ever to get down to the bottom of the error, mistakes, fraud and theft that happened in hundreds if not thousands of precincts across this country.

Donate here: Blackboxvoting.org You can donate by credit card, paypal or even send them a check or cash via snail mail (Randi Rhodes asked every one of her 4 million listeners to send in a buck). Anything will help if you want to send a check or cash send it to:

330 sw 43rd St. Suite K
PMB 547
Renton, WA 98055

One of the things we can do which will affect conservatives and benefit our own mental health is STOP READING WATCHING AND LISTENING TO THEIR LIES. If there is one thing they do better than us, and I have to give it up to them, it is lie and lie and lie some more. Through there control of the media (radio, television, newspapers, websites and books). It serves absolutely no purpose. Their lies are intended to defeat and demoralize us and paint us in the most unflattering light possible. Our presence and engagement of them gives them the power to re-define what we say, take us out of context and lie to their audiences about us. We also give them power by providing them an audience which in turn gives them money from advertisers. Do you want to know what the most boring conversation in the world is? Two or more conservatives who agree with each other. Even they can't stand that level of monotony and intellectual absence.

I know firsthand that not posting on their websites, not calling into their radio programs dries them up. People tune in or turn on to witness the train wreck of conflict. There is no audience without excitement. There is no excitement without conflict and there is no conflict without us.

If your paper is conservative, cancel it. If you have cable, cancel it. If you post on a conservative website, stop. If you get your news online, do it only from non-mainstream media (there is no liberal mainstream media-another conservative lie). Get your news from liberal websites and direct feeds, then research the story more. Be like a good investigative reporter, get two or more sources before you believe anything. If you listen to a conservative radio show, don't do it anymore. We are powerful and they know it. They are nothing without us. Let's reduce them to the squawking, hateful morons they are by not allowing them to engage us.

If you can't bear to be without cable (there are still good shows out there-The Daily Show-Bill Maher-Keith Olberman) don't watch any of the "news" channels. They have all failed us miserably and we should not support them in any way shape or form. Call your cable company and ask if you can have Fox, the most biased propogandist network ever, taken off your lineup.

I know the temptation is great to engage these lying, hateful, cowards who say incredibly horrible things about us, but don't.

We need to build up our own media networks. Air America Radio is off to a great start despite the incredibly wrong predictions by the right wing liars. If you can afford it, subscribe to satellite radio and tell them you are getting it specifically for the left wing shows.

AAR is going to grow as satellite radio decimates traditional radio over the next decade. We also need to push our local radio stations to carry progressive shows. We need to get people who can afford it to buy radio stations in conservative areas and put out our message out there.

Conservatives made a concerted effort several decades ago to dominate the media and thereby control the thinking of Americans. They have succeeded. We have come a long way in a short period of time and I know we can beat them but we need to focus our attention, money and power to succeed.

I believe we can. I know we must.

[NMDemDist2]

1. we also need to support and cite liberal think tanks in LTTE and

when speaking to our friends and blogging

read this article about how think tanks have been cited recently

http://www.fair.org/extra/0307/thinktanks2002.html

Here is a list I found googling... any additions anyone?

LIBERAL LINKS
RESEARCH CENTERS

AARP Public Policy Institute *
Covers a wide variety of issues related to aging through original research, surveys, and the tracking of long-term demographic and social trends.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace *
Nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States.

Center for American Progress
Non-partisan research and educational institute that works to find progressive and pragmatic solutions to significant domestic and international problems and develop policy proposals that foster a government that is "of all the people, by all the people, and for all the people.

Center for Arts and Culture *
Independent think tank that aims to broaden and deepen the national conversation on culture and cultural policies.

Center for Economic Policy Analysis (CEPA) *
CEPA's goal is to build an active forum for debates on macroeconomic policy, wage inequality, and globalization. The Center is the research arm of the Department of Economics at the New School University.

Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) *
Established to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues affecting people's lives.

Center for Full Employment and Price Stability *
Non-partisan, non-profit policy institute at the University of Missouri - Kansas City dedicated to promoting research and public discussion of issues related to macroeconomic policy.

Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) *
Public interest law and policy organization which promotes policies to improve the economic security of low-income families and to secure access to our civil justice system for all low-income persons.

Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) *
Non-partisan nonprofit organization working to strengthen the capacity of state legislators to lead and achieve progressive changes.

Center for Public Policy Priorities *
Non-partisan, non-profit policy research organization committed to improving public policies and private practices that influence the economic and social prospects and conditions of individuals, families, and communities.

Center for Urban Policy Research (CUPR) *
A research center at Rutgers University, CUPR focuses on both the academic and practical applications of urban policy research, concentrating on community development, urban poverty, housing, land use, economic development and forecasting, transportation, and environmental policy.

Center for Urban and Regional Policy (CURP) *
A "think and do tank"- a place where faculty, staff, and students pool their expertise, resources, and commitment to address a wide range of issues facing cities, towns, and suburbs with particular emphasis on the Greater Boston region.

Center for the Study of Social Policy *
Established in 1979 with the goal of providing public policy analysis and technical assistance to states and localities, in a way that blended high academic standards with direct responsiveness to the needs of policymakers and practitioners.

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) *
Conducts research and analysis on a variety of government programs and policies, particularly those affecting low- and middle-income Americans.

Center on Hunger and Poverty *
Part of The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. It promotes policies that improve the lives and developmental capacities of low-income children and families in the nation.

Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI)*
Promotes higher standards of living for poor and moderate-income families through research, policy development, public education and effective advocacy.

Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) *
Research, policy, and demonstration project center dedicated to promoting "high-road" -- high-wage, low-waste, worker-friendly, and publicly-accountable economic development in Wisconsin, and to disseminating lessons from thier experience for wider application.

Community College Research Center (CCRC) *
Housed in the Institute on Education and the Economy at Teachers College, Columbia University. The center has taken a broad and comprehensive view of community colleges, examining their fundamental purpose, problems, and performances.

Demos *
Committed to a long-term effort to reframe and redesign policy and politics to meet the complex challenges of the 21st century. We seek to bring everyone into the life of American democracy and to achieve a broadly shared prosperity characterized by greater opportunity and less disparity.

Economic Policy Institute (EPI) *
Nonprofit, non-partisan think tank that seeks to broaden the public debate about strategies to achieve a prosperous and fair economy.

Financial Markets Center *
Independent nonprofit organization devoted to providing information and analysis about the Federal Reserve System and financial markets to the public and to policy makers.

Financial Policy Forum / Derivatives Study Center *
Created out of the concern that financial markets disruptions have become a barrier to improvements in living standards in the U.S. and around the world.

Global Development And Environment Institute (G-DAE) *
Research institute at Tufts University dedicated to promoting a better understanding of how societies can pursue their economic and community goals in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.

Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies *
Pursues a dual mission to conduct policy-relevant research adhering to the highest standards of social science and to train talented men and women for leadership careers in public policy.

The Independent Institute *
Non-partisan, public-policy research and educational organization that sponsors comprehensive studies of critical social, economic, legal, and environmental issues.

Institute for Policy Research *
Non-partisan public policy organization whose mission is to stimulate and support excellent social science research on significant public policy issues and to disseminate the findings widely-to students, scholars, policymakers, and the public at large.

Institute for Public Policy and Social Research
At Michigan State University, dedicated to connecting legislators, scholars, and practitioners through applied research, lively policy forums, and political leadership instruction.

Institute for the Study of Homelessness and Poverty *
Non-profit, non-partisan research and policy organization that facilitates access to accurate data and research about homelessness and poverty.

Institute for the Study of Information Technology and Society *
Generates and supports multidisciplinary programs of teaching, research and public outreach with regard to information technology policy and the social, economic, political, legal and cultural impacts of information technology.

The Institute on Education and the Economy (IEE) *
An interdisciplinary policy research center based at Teachers College, Columbia University, IEE examines the interaction between educational reform and economic change.

Interhemispheric Resource Center (IRC) *
Nonprofit policy studies center whose overarching goal is to help forge a new global affairs agenda for the U.S. government and the U.S. people--one that makes the U.S. a more responsible global leader and partner.

Interhemispheric Resource Center's Right Web *
Explores the ties that link the right-wing movement's main players, organizations, corporate supporters, educational institutions, and government representatives to each other in a new architecture of power.

John F. Kennedy, Jr. Institute for Worker Education *
Supports the higher education and career advancement of frontline workers in health, education, and human services organizations.

Joint Center for Poverty Research
Supports academic research that examines what it means to be poor and live in America.

Levy Economics Institute *
Nonprofit, non-partisan, independently funded research organization founded in 1986, the institute is devoted to public service and to developing viable, effective public policy responses to important economic problems both within the United States and abroad.

MDRC *
Nonprofit, non-partisan social policy research organization dedicated to learning what works to improve the well-being of low-income people.

Maternal and Child Health Policy Research Center *
Conducts projects addressing various aspects of the financing, delivery, and quality of health care provided to children.

National Academy on an Aging Society *
Non-partisan, policy institute that fosters critical thinking about the implications of an aging society.

National Center for Policy Research for Women and Families (CPR) *
Promotes the health and well-being of women and families, by using objective, research-based information to encourage new, more effective programs and policies.

National Priorities Project *
Offers citizens and community groups tools and resources to shape federal budget and policy priorities promoting social and economic justice.

New America Foundation *
The purpose of the foundation is to bring exceptionally promising new voices and new ideas to the fore of our nation's public discourse.

OMB Watch *
Nonprofit research, educational, and advocacy organization that focuses on budget issues, regulatory policy, nonprofit policy, nonprofit advocacy, access to government information, and activities at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Pathways Mapping Initiative
This website assembles and organizes a wealth of findings about what it takes to improve the lives of children and families living in America's tough neighborhoods.

Political Research Associates *
Independent, nonprofit research center, based on progressive values, that serves as a national resource for information on antidemocratic, authoritarian, and other oppressive movements, institutions and trends.

Policypointers.org
Policypointers is an online facility created to enable those involved in government, academe and the media to gain rapid access to the research and conclusions of think tanks around the world.

Poverty and Race Research Action Council (PRRAC) *
PRRAC's mission is to generate, gather and disseminate information regarding the relationship between race and poverty, and to promote the development and implementation of policies and practices that alleviate conditions caused by the interaction of race and poverty.

Project on Defense Alternatives (PDA) *
Seeks to adapt military policy to the circumstances and opportunities of the post-Cold War era by developing pragmatic, cost-effective defense policy options that support progress toward more cooperative means of attaining security.

Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)
UCS augments rigorous scientific analysis with innovative thinking and committed citizen advocacy to build a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world.

Social Policy Action Network *
Develops effective social policy by transforming the findings of research and the insights of front-line practitioners into concrete action agendas for policymakers.

University of Massachusetts Boston PhD Program in Public Policy *
Public Policy graduate school program.

links here http://movingideas.org/links/researchcenters.html

[SmokingJacket]

2. Thank you. Another great post.

It often feels like an impossible fight, one that will take more emotional energy than I, for one, have.

One thing that has helped me somewhat is to emotionally separate. I love(d) this country and wanted the best for it. Well, I sorta hate it now. Now... I'll shift that love to my family, my town, my region. (I live in New York.) This will be harder for people in other places.

It boggles the mind to think that the fate of democracy is in the hands of Bev Harris, but damn... it sure looks that way.

[puddycat]

5. There is always something you can do. Don't spend money with * supporters

Holding your money close to your chest is a good idea at this time. Don't give your money to people that have supported *.

[puddycat]

3. I have cancelled a house project with a * supporting contractor

believe me, it feels really good. In fact, I'm not putting any more money into this economy than I have to right now. Cutting way back.

I am also spreading the word for people NOT to join the military for any reason. I have persuaded at least two young people that dying for * is not such a great idea.

[annabanana]

4. If we don't know the poison, how can we make the antidote?

The people who half-hear and fervently believe what is the constant background noise in their lives have had their minds poisoned. If we completely disengage, how can we administer the cure?

As we re-frame the debate, the more reality-based outlets will gain strength and influence. The "faith-based" vote is paper thin. A grand unveiling of hypocrisy can shred it. And since these coddled corrupt kings of corporations think they are above the laws of man & God they should be easy to expose.

And those "thank-you sir, may I have another" businessmen have to be shown that the doors of the "Club" are forever closed to them as their customers are impoverished by the "I HAVE no country but the bottom-line" multinationals. ("Worse than the French, believe me!").

The National Debt? If you're in debt, you KNOW who's about to garnishee your wages. Who holds our "note"? Who's going to break our kneecaps? Do you know how much we're into the Chinese for? We're not a "free country"...The Saudis OWN our asses! ARE WE GOING TO STAND FOR THAT?? Hell no!!

There's hay to be made out there.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. We go back to the workshop and reconfigure the democratic party.

We have to get the Congress back, both Houses, before we can get the Whitehouse.

It can be done.

Post-1966, waves of democrats bolted from the party to the republican party because of one issue: the Civil Rights Act signed by President Johnson. The Dixiecrats, familiarly recognized as Strom Thurmond, remained a pilot light for many years and re-invented the republicans, and allowed someone like Ronald Reagan to get elected in 1980 with a new base for societal groups.

We re-examine Tuesday. We look at commonality with a certain segment of those who voted for * and also look for a wedge issue that would have them seriously consider abandoning him and more importantly, providing them with reassurance that the democrats will welcome them, protect them, and will look after their interests.

It sounds so simple: let's steal back our party.

Plus we already know the way that Karl Rove thinks and operates. Let us reveal him at every opportunity in the future. Bypass * and talk Karl Rove as the shadow co-president whom nobody voted for. We have to take him out in order to weaken *'s power.

Any other ideas?

[BillZBubb]

7. I'm not optimistic, there is no short term solution.

If an proven incompetent like Bush* can win a general election, or at least get enough real votes to steal an election, we are in BIG trouble.

The right controls the corporations, the media, most churches, and the entire government. We are marginalized.

Our only "hope" is another Republican produced disaster like the great depression. Sadly, the only way progressive policies can make a comeback is if the voters are hurt badly enough by the Republicans to make them wake up. With Bush*, that isn't such a long shot either.

[annabanana]

8. short term? two years is an eternity...........?.

what term are you exactly talking about?