The real problem with progressives...

[KJMagic]

-To be progressive means to want to move foward.
-To move foward one must work togther.
-To work togther everyone must put aside their diffrences and work togther
-To work togther we must stop blaming people

The last bullet is the one we must work on. PLEASE, for the love of progressivism stop shifting blame. That means stop complaing about Kerry. He lost, big frickin' deal!

He is doing the best he can after the election. And let me tell you, some help is better then none.

The point? Stop blaming our own and band togther... the conseritives have done that and look where it got them!

peace,
-KJ

[MontecitoDem]

1. Thanks for this!

I've been so close to shutting down my DU link for awhile - seems like every other thread is about people bashing other Dems, Kerry, re-registering green, complaining about who is or isn't "progressive" enough, or threatening to leave the party if their candidate doesn't become DNC guy. YIKES! It's like a bunch of hyper, angry kids.

Hopefully everyone will get it out of their systems soon, start concentrating on the core issues we all share as progressives and democrats, and think about how we start building again from the ground up with an inclusive, winning strategy!

[Warpy]

2. Uh, Kerry ran a decent campaign, and if you've been

following the data on exit polls, he won.

However, he got Gored by a corrupt press and cheated out of victory by massive election fraud.

He might have had a big enough margin had he fired all those DLC handlers/part time lobbyists, but that's doubtful. All machines that rely on electronics are too prone to being hacked. And they were.

That, my friend, IS a big frickin' deal.

And we will not get over it.

[Dehumanizer]

3. Agreed. The entire left seems to only accept..

those whose ideology is EXACTLY like theirs. This is such a dangerous mindset. The reason the right is winning all over the place is that they look at things strategically, the way in which benefits them in the optimal way, while we are more and more becoming elitists. Of course we have to question and doubt our own as well, but in recent years we have failed to look at the bigger picture.

[Still_Loves_John]

7. Exactly!

There's so much infighting here. It's like anyone who doesn't agree with you is either bush lite or a commuist. They either have no sense of idealism or they have no sense of common sense. We have to understand that the more conservative democrats are more conservative because thats what they believe in, and that the more liberal democrats aren't the way they are because they haven't been exposed to the real world yet.

[moggie12]

12. Very well put

There is no such thing as perfect in politics. There's two old bromides everybody keeps forgetting: "Politics is the art of the possible," and "Half a loaf is better than none". We have to think in incremental steps, with the big picture in mind. Some want it all now but it just doesn't work that way. The Dems seem to have developed a bit of strategic thinking lately: I'm happy with that. Something is better than nothing.

[LittleClarkie]

25. There seems to be a mentality of purity

Perhaps it is a mistrust of authority. And wealth. Sadly, those in power have both. And some tend to see that as bad. But they are the voice. Pressure, but don't bash, that's what I say.

[DaveinMD]

4. right on

Post of the Year.

[mhr]

5. You Must Be Kidding!

eom

[DaveinMD]

8. I'm not kidding

there is so much bashing of Dems here its sickening. This was a great post about moving us forward.

[mhr]

19. Well Some Of Us Have Worked In The Trenches Long Enough

We have seen what works what doesn't.

When we see the same old behavior from the Democratic party at large, criticism is in order.

[LittleClarkie]

26. Criticism yes, bash no

That's the difference.

This is like trying to have a discussion with a Congressional Republican on January 6th. No, it's not about the outcome. It's about the process.

Stop trying to reframe. It's not about the criticism, it's about the bash. There is a difference.

[kerrygoddess]

6. YES!

Progress: moving forward!

If we don't pull it together we will keep being on the losing end. It does not help anyone this bashing.

[KJMagic]

9. I would also like to say...

that it would be nice if we could talk about what unites us... not what divides us... what divides us can be addressed by taking those issues and finding common ground... i know that is not a solution, but its a start... and its better then reading "fuck Kerry" "fuck him" "fuck her" every 3 seconds.

PLEASE:
-Find common ground.
-Stop fighting
-Stop insisting we are diffrent
-And work togther

I am not joking... if we dont start now, the next 4 years will be hell and the Republicans WILL WIN again.

Remember, "be the change you want"

-KJ

[trezic]

10. Bravo

Now we just have to prioritize :P

[leesa]

11. When will he declare the war wrong, illegal and immoral?

[moggie12]

13. Wonderful post

I've stopped replying to all the divisive, defeatist posts: I realized I'm just driving the count higher (which make people look at it) and kicking it to the top of the pile where it gets even more attention. Instead, I focus all my time on DU on replying to positive posts, especially ones that ask for action of some kind (responding to media polls, writing letters on behanlf of Boxer, etc).

[DaveinMD]

14. go visit my thread

about the 527 being started.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1506373

[moggie12]

17. sent you a message in response to thread

[FubarFly]

15. To move forward, sometime you have to figure out

what you're doing wrong, search your soul, and correct it.

To move forward, sometimes you have to have unpleasant conversations with people you love.

I understand your point, but before you can overcome your mistakes, you have to admit where and how you made one.

I hope you understand that some of the people who are "blaming", are actually looking for ways we could do things better. Because in case you missed it, the results of this election was anything but progressive. And unless we figure out what we have to do different, 2006 and 2008 will look a lot like 2002 and 2004.

I hope you also realize that most of the criticism you are seeing didn't happen until AFTER the election. Before the election most people on this board did put their criticisms aside and did work together. Kerry did receive more votes than any Democrat in any election ever.

[DaveinMD]

16. there is some of that

but there is also alot of threats to leave and alot of unreasonable expectations and misunderstanding of political tactics.

[FubarFly]

18. I agree.

And some of that is people naturally expressing frustration. I don't really take a lot of those posts very seriously. Most of those people could be swayed back if they realize that they have something constructive and progressive to do within the Party. I know some people just want some official acknowledgement that their sacrifices were appreciated and not in vain. They want to see the same effort from their pols that they themselves put in.

As far as political tactics go- what we're doing is obviously not working. Personally I am open to any well reasoned suggestion.

[DaveinMD]

20. I think the Dems have a more aggressive strategy now

Reid is more of a fighter than Daschle is. There is a lot of activism doing productive things. Some are starting think tanks. Some are starting tv organizations. Some are starting 527s. I reacted to the loss by getting right back to work. Others should do the same IMO.

[FubarFly]

21. I agree again.

Although I have serious doubts about Reid, I have warmed up to him recently. I'm certainly willing to give him a chance.

As far as activism goes, the best thing you can to to a disaffected Dem, is to show them where and how their efforts will be appreciated. Some people are going Green because they believe the Democratic Party has abandoned them. IMHO, that is a damn shame. But unfortunately, there is more than a sliver of truth in that assessment.

[Pastiche423]

22. Hey, KJMagic

How long have you been in the trenches? How many decades have you worked your ass off for the Dem Party?

How many elections have you participated in? Hell, how many elections have you voted in?

Ya know, it starts to get old after about the 30th year - especially when many of the Dem politicians keep repeating the same mistakes, over and over again.

I absolutely refuse to work for, support or vote for any Dem that keeps playing nice to the repugs, while sliding further right.

[scarletwoman]

23. Hear! Hear!

Personally, I refuse to vote for any more candidates from the Ruling Class unless they've proven beyond lame excuses and beyond a doubt that they actually GET IT.

sw

[TankLV]

24. Well said. I've run out of other cheeks to turn.

I held my nose and supported Kerry.

He wasn't even my 3rd or 4th choice.

But once he was "it" - I supported him FERVENTLY!

The election's over. I will not sit by any longer and see the party I've been a member of and an active supporter of for over 34 adult and 18 non-adult years continue to ignore and even ridicule the concerns and beliefs I hold dear any longer.

If the Democratic Party wants to continue to count on my vote - they will have to EARN it from now on. I am tired of being told to shut up and sit down for the good of the party. It's time YOU all shut up and sat down while US - the BASE - you know - the DEMOCRATIC WING of the party - had control for awhile. Maybe then we'd actually win BIG. Sure can't be any worse than the last 3 election cycles!

I am sick of continually being asked to move right!

Ignore us at your peril.

[Peak_Oil]

27. Here's the secret. This will win the next election.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x97165\

This is the one that will turn the tide for the Democratic party. Make a fresh cup of coffee and get ready to read something that will blow your mind. This is the essay that will turn everything around for us.

Get ready to win the trifecta.

Presidency. HR. Senate.

This one idea is that good. Don't forget!

[TankLV]

31. I got all excited and instead I was presented with another orgy of

gun-nut propaganda.

I don't think I'll drink that koolaid, thankyouverymuch.

The NRA & supporters of this drivel don't support ANY resonable controls on weapons that NOBODY needs and has no use but killing in a war.

I'm all for 2nd ammendment rights, too - but I'm for common sense.

And this nonsense that we need or have a right to own AK-47's is just insane. I mean, reall - semi-automatic guns for hunting deer?!?!

Do you agree that we all should be able to own a bazooka, SAM or a small nuclear device, too?

But, then again, maybe I'm too hasty - with this bunch of nazi's in control of our government now, maybe unfettered ownership of ANY weapon is more of a necessity now!

In any case, I'm more concerned about other issues, and would err on the side of caution before outlawing any firearms, etc. anyhow.

[Dr Fate]

29. Yup- one more...

...who has crystalized my thoughts to a tee.

[Dr Fate]

28. My sentiments- thank you. Been a DEM volunteer for several years.

No where near 30- but I wont be back either until I see some fighting.

This is somthing the excuse makers dont seem to get-if we dont see some fighting we WONT be back- I suppose moderates & swing voters can do the campaign work.

[Dr Fate]

30. The real problem has nothing to do with "progressives"...

And it has nothing to do with moving right or moving left.

The problem is for some damn reason, the DEMS are afraid to listen to their base and take on Bush/media. When that changes, we will win.

For that to happen, it will take more than us blindly cheerleading for them-they will have to LISTEN to us for a change.

[GreenPartyVoter]

32. Welcome to DU

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