Democrats - What are you going to DO NOW?

[jmatthan]

I just read that the Democratic party has sent out a fund raising letter to its members.

I have seen much discussion about the spineless voting record of Democratic Senators and Congressmen, even after the election.

My question is how many of you are going to make your dollars count where it can count?

Are any you going to get a commitment from your representative before you part with your money - or are you going to allow them to play you like a fiddle to get what they want without any commitment from their side?

My take would be that if I was in a position to support any Democrats, I would contribute the money to Congressmen and Senators who are willing to act in my interests rather than their interests. So, money would go, for instance, to Boxer but not to Biden!! Absolutely no money to Kerry. Or Money for the 31 Congressmen who voted up for the Ohio objection.

Jacob Matthan
Oulu, Finland

[Kitka]

1. My money does not go to the democratic party.

No one in the democratic party. Yes, I vote democrat, but what little extra money I have goes to organizations that are helping those in poverty directly, not those that usually just talk about doing so but are unwilling to expend political capital to get it done.

[JDPriestly]

2. Californians are organizing under the Dean umbrella.

We'll see whether the Democratic Party joins us and then decide.

[ObaMania]

3. Raise your hand if you wasted $$ on Kerry n/t

[bryant69]

4. I gave Kerry money

But I don't consider it wasted.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Midlodemocrat]

6. I also gave Kerry money

and I also don't consider it wasted.

[classof56]

9. I hesitate to call it wasted.

I gave money to Kerry's campaign and to Democrats, including a local candidate who unfortunately lost his election, because I was very passionate about the horrors that awaited us if Bush and other Republicans were elected. Turns out Bush wasn't elected, IMHO, but "won" anyway, and the future looks bleak indeed. But at least I can say I gave it my best shot--both financially and on the campaign trail. That's all we can really do in this life--put your money and actions where your mouth is and hope that your efforts are rewarded. We can but try. Must say, though, that I recently declined an opportunity to donate to Democrats, opting out until, as I told the nice young man who called, the Dems stiffen their spines and show me they're committed to standing fast in the battles ahead. I hold the hope that will happen.

Tired Old Cynic

[Jensen]

5. I just replied to Terry MCAliffe chair to DNC...

that for right now I will only personally contribute to the individual Dem Congressman or Senator that is willing to stand up and be counted such as Boxer, Kerry, Conyers, Kennedy, etc.

Wrote to Sen. Nelson who is my Senator and advised him of this....In other words don't count on my money if you are unwilling to stand up and be counted!

Give me Liberty or give me death!

[ObaMania]

10. I'm in Virginia and going forward my $$ and vote will go to any ..

independent who's views are more in line with mine. That's my policy for all candidates running for any office except President.

Boxer and Kerry stood up against Condi, but most other times they vote with the flow.

It's time to show them that our votes, money and support can easily disappear if they don't work for us.

Tossing a vote to an independent in '06 might be a wake up call to any of our reps and senators that we aren't gonna take this shit any more. Time for them to start working for us instead of folding the DEMs into some one party system. Daschele got booted for being GOP-lite, and the rest of the idiots can too!

[classof56]

11. Way to go! And welcome to DU. n/t

[Jensen]

17. Classof 56

Thank you for the welcome and thanks to DU for being there with all the info on what is really happening!

Information is a very powerfull tool and "Our" reps better wake up to the knowledge that we are standing STRONG !

[MadHound]

7. My money is going for long term good in politics

And that is to the Greens. The Dems have proven over the past twenty years that they bow to the same corporate masters that the 'Pugs do, and therefore are as deserving of my support as the 'Pugs, which is zip, zero, nada. Yes, there are a few good Dems still left in the party, but they're not getting the party's support, and are hence ineffective. Me, I going to work on the long term solution, the Greens, who take no corporate cash.

I also donate to many non-political causes, for they too get things done better than the Dems who simply mouth pious platitudes while stuffing their own wallet.

[ObaMania]

12. Hey...

>>'Pugs do, and therefore are as deserving of my support as the 'Pugs, which is zip, zero, nada.<<


My 'Pugs resent your associating them with re :puke: s!

[MadHound]

14. Aww, they're too cute! I apologize for smearing the good name of Pugs

I'll have to change my epiteths now. Pukes sound good! Will that get me another picture of your two cuties?

[ObaMania]

15. I'm just messing with ya!

Just an opportunity to gratuitously post Pugsley and Wednesday's pics! :)

[cali]

8. I don't expect my reps

to always vote as I would vote. Though at time they disappoint me, I consider myself lucky to be represented by Senators Leahy and Jeffords, and Congressman Sanders. I'll continue to support them. In most red states, my congressional delegation wouldn't stand a chance of being elected. My expectations of red state dems aren't the same as my expectations of blue state dems. Having said that, my meager contributions will continue to go to those dems who uphold liberal standards and to DFA.

[ObaMania]

13. You are lucky indeed!

>>Senators Leahy and Jeffords, and Congressman Sanders.<<

Three men with alot of integrity.

[KharmaTrain]

16. No Bucks, No Buck Rogers...Party Building Begins At Home

Local Democratic parties in many areas are in desperate need of both money and support. Those in red and purple areas face Repugnican parties that are far better funded and organized. They took the time to build the grassroots while the DNC has let the base deteriorate...a major reason the Repugnicans control the House.

We worked extremely hard to elect the first Democratic Representative of my area in ever...ousting a 30 plus year incumbent. It happened with a lot of local legwork and money...learning from losing and fighting the very difficult battle to get noticed against an entrenched incumbent in a large media market. The money...especially the early donations, were key in helping build the networking and organization that led to victory. And the work isn't done...the GOOP is gunning to win this district back (we're next door to Hastert & Henry Hyde) and the work on holding the seat could be even harder than taking it...we're already fundraising and making 2006 plans. Little time to celebrate...little recognition and help from many outside our area.

I contributed a lot of money to candidates and web sites last year and have no regrets on a single one. Knowing what I know now, would I have given as much to some of those people? No. But hindsight is 20/20.

The dissaray and selfishness I've seen in several individuals and groups since the election is definitely altering the amounts I will give this year. Many websites and political action groups won't be getting checks or smaller ones...having seen their true colors when times were bad. I suggest others to scrutinize who they send money to as well.

That said, don't spite your face...for many of us, our local parties are very removed from the national scene and needs to be the focus of Democratic party activities and soon or a Veto proof House and Senate are real realities. 2008 won't matter if we don't make big gains in 2006.

[txaslftist]

18. J Matten...what are YOU going to do now?

Besides interesting questions, where are your talents and treasures going?

[jmatthan]

22. I live in Finland

I am not an American, I am not white, I am not a European, I am not a Muslim, I am not a Jew, I am not a fundamentalist!!

However, I realise the American politics has a great effect on world politics and I would like to see some rationality come to the world of liberalism in America.

I listen to Mike Malloy, Thom Hartmann, Peter Werbe, Mike Webb, Ray Taliaferro, Randi Rhodes, Guy James and several more liberal a talk show hosts.

I do not watch any American MSM TV - I watch BBC World TV occasionally.

I get 95% of my international news directly from the internet.

I interact with many American politicians and many international correspondents pushing my liberal thoughts.

Given that, I would like to influence how the Democratic party starts to stand up and get some spine as otherwise not only is America doomed, but we will have the Armageddonists in charge of this world.

Hence, I am of the same opinion as Mike Malloy (former Democrat) and Thom Hartmann (non-Democrat liberal).

Views I get here are shared with a very large number of international correspondents who then translate it into articles for non American MSM.

Hence my question.

Hope this clears why I am on this forum and have been for a long time.

Jacob Matthan
Oulu, Finland

[liveoaktx]

19. This is the most effective use of "Not one thin dime" -hit the DEMS

where it hurts. Torture is my issue. I refuse to give one thin dime to any candidate ever again that does not stand up against this immoral issue. Same goes, secondarily, with the objectionable parts of the Patriot Act.

[radwriter0555]

20. I'm moving to Europe in 5 months, the day after my daughter finishes

school.

Think of me as one of the jews or the honorable germans who left when hitler rose to power.

[flobee1kenobi]

21. Instead of the donation

I wrote a short letter explaining why there was no money in the envelope. What was worse, the letter asking for money was signed by Carville-the same person who, in his book, is critical of the Dems not having a spine.