Is "Facism lite" acceptable? Changing the paradigm...

[podnoi]

I listened to Ed Schultz before most people had heard of him, when his airplay was much more limited, when his was one of the only non-"right" voice on my airwaves. In that time he has changed from a moderate liberal stance, to a mouthpiece of an existing power, the DLC. He has become the voice of the view that "Republic Light" is OK and necessary. That is not what I am hearing from on the ground. Even many Republicans I talk to want serious change, they just don't quite know what that means. I am convinced that the stronger the progressive cause is championed, the more we will win over the middle.

In this climate he will surely make a following, and has. He will win over a segment of the population. But he will keep that segment in the same "mindset", ready to be snatched away once the Republicans moderate their tune. Ed Shultz just makes the way for a more moderate Republican Party and a continuing of the one party state. A "Kinder, gentler" new world order where wage slavery feels just a little less uncomfortable and the minimum wage moves up just a tad more than under the current mindset, while we continue to be eaten alive by all the other inequity.

Sorry, but this former listener is not impressed. If we go along with his compromising posture the underlying powers of the fascist state do not change, they just put on a calmer face, and just like 10 years ago, we may well get a reprieve, but it will be temporary. The powers that be will keep the populace close enough to strike again, and once they have quietly gained more power than ever, they *WILL* strike again.

Can we really survive an even stronger Fascism in the future? I am not so sure. We need to break it's back while we have the chance. And to do that successfully we need to allow the people really take back power, not simply allow what appears to be a kinder face of the existing paradigm to assume power.

I am convince we have an opportunity, unlike when I first started to listen to Ed Schultz. But if we blow it we may not have another chance in our lifetimes. If the world survives... that is!

Please don't be seduced. Don't give up your chance for *real* change. We need to break the bonds of the servant state once and for all. The Republicans, and even many of the Democratic power elite, have exposed themselves so thoroughly they left even many of their devoted questioning.

And don't be fooled!

It has been the hard hitting *Progressive left* that has poured out the light that has those "moderates" rethinking! Democracy will not be restored by allowing a "kinder, gentler" version of the same power that has destroyed lives and almost destroyed the constitution we hold so dear.

If you are still unsure... maybe this will help you to believe.... I was one of those "moderates". I attended the evangelical Church for many years. I was *NOT* won over by the DLC!

[AllyCat]

1. Did you hear him go nuts today on the caller from WI who said

America might not be ready for a woman president? He waxed rhapsodic for about 5 minutes about the virtues of Hilary Clinton. I sat in the car screaming, "What about Barbara Boxer???". I was nearly sick with this rant about how great Hilary is. Ugh....

No DLC for me. I want REAL change.

[podnoi]

5. I like Barbara Boxer

Although I am not sure she will make a viable candidate next race. I guess when there was nothing better I enjoyed Ed since at least someone was saying something different than the right. But now I feel we can actually change the direction of the country and I have come to believe that pandering to the "middle right" does nothing but strengthen the powers that be over the long run.

[Mythsaje]

2. I'm with you...

I too have gone from a "moderate" view to a progressive view and find Ed too much a status quo apologist for my taste.

[podnoi]

6. At first it was a nice "change of pace"

[Erika]

3. My trust is with Dr. Dean & also my contributions

[podnoi]

4. just once more.. kick