Okay, So what now?

[drm604]

We've proved what we're capable of. We've proved we can raise hell and change minds (or at least change votes, which is what counts in the end). Yes, we lost, but I don't think that anybody would have believed we could have gotten as far as we did. What if we had started several weeks or months earlier? Who knows what might have happened.

So we do have some power, and we can achieve things. We need to harness that. We can't simply walk away in disappointment.

We still have our telephones, our fax machines, even our email. And we probably have other things that no one has even considered yet. What do we do with it? Where do we turn it? How can we stir up this kind of intensity and dedication on a regular basis?

Do we turn it on the media? Do we continue to point it at Congress? Do we go after the corporations (either in general or one specific company or industry)? Or maybe we turn it on _fill in the blank_.

What do we try to change with it? What is our next goal?

Maybe we should start by experimenting a little with this newfound power of ours. Maybe we can find some small wrong that needs to be righted and raise a ruckus about it in order to bring it to the public's attention and correct it. Just to see if we can, and to achieve some small amount of good. And perhaps to get some positive media attention (for a change). Then we can work our way up from there.

So, any thoughts or ideas? Am I making sense or just rambling?

[emlev]

1. Making sense EOM

[drm604]

2. Thank you.

I just wish this thread was getting more attention.

[usregimechange]

3. There is always tomorrow...

[bryant69]

4. We keep on keepin' on.

That's my thoughts

Such as they are.

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

[drm604]

5. Check out joemurphy's thread.

He and I seem to be on the same wavelength.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x276552

[Cocoa]

6. budget bill vote in the House Wednesday

it's a brutal bill, and the vote is going to be close. :bounce:

[drm604]

7. Wow, less than 2 days.

Can we do it? It sure would be fun trying, wouldn't it. We need to get some kicks and recommendations for this thread and joemurphy's. Also we need to start a thread on Du'ing this bill. Would you like to do that? Where should it go?

We should try to get Skinner involved. Maybe he can start a GD subforum for it.

I think a lot of people are still revved up so we may be able to hit the ground running. My problem personally is that have to work the next two days so I can only be fully involved in the evenings (I might be able to read and post during spare moments during the day).

Do you have all of the facts on the bill? What are some good talking points? Is there a way to find out who's for and against it and who's wavering?

[Cocoa]

9. I think almost all dems are against it

it was a very close vote in December, something like 212-210.

The republicans are the ones to go after, as I see it.

edit with an article...

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/013106/news4.html

<snip>

Republicans from marginal districts know that lean funding can hurt them come election time, and the only Democrat to vote for a budget or spending reconciliation bill during Blunt’s tenure as whip, Rep. Ralph Hall of Texas, is now a Republican.

Blunt scored a victory by six votes — 212-206 — when the House passed a nearly identical package of spending cuts last month. But his coalition is showing signs of erosion.

Rep. Rob Simmons (R-Conn.), perennially one of the GOP’s most vulnerable incumbents, has declared he will switch his vote to no. Rep. John Sweeney (R-N.Y.) is wavering. Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.), another supporter of the cuts in December, is not commenting on his upcoming vote, according to a spokesman.

None of the three has declared his support in the three-way race for majority leader, but Sweeney is an outspoken advocate of holding a full slate of leadership elections.

Blunt faces John Boehner (R-Ohio) and John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) in Thursday’s election of a new majority leader, a job Blunt has handled since Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) was forced to step down because of an indictment.

more...


edit #2, here's the roll call from Dec. 19, ALL dems were against it.

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll670.xml

[drm604]

11. Okay, you seem to know a lot about it.

Start a thread about it. Give people the goal (are we trying to stop the bill or just modify it), the facts, some talking points, and the name, phone and fax info for the individuals we need to sway. Say that we need to attack this with the same ferocity we attacked the Alito nomination with. Say that this is one we may actually win. Explain that it is a VERY important bill that deserves our attention, and explain why. Tell them that this time we should also hammer the media to present the correct facts to the public.

[Cocoa]

13. very informative thread here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2411549

[Democracy deth watch]

8. It's morning in America

Consider that Wednesday morning you may have thousands of new allies: people who agree with Democrats on everything EXCEPT abortion. They've won one battle, and now, maybe, they're ready to fight for the rest of what they believe in. Perhaps now they're on your side against the war, against destroying social security, for health care, against the death penalty.

Consider that perhaps the Republicans have lost the most powerful issue they've ever had for separating a constituency that would otherwise stand united against them.

We can always dream, I guess.

[budkin]

10. Never give up...

Otherwise there is no point to any of it. All you can do is fight to replace those so called Dems that vote in lockstep with these Nazis.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

12. Focus On Getting As Many Dems Elected In The Senate. First And Foremost.

That is our ultimate goal, period.

Course, ensuring the best we can in the short time we have left that as many voting systems are as fair as possible needs attention too, but we will only be able to accomplish so much on that front before the elections are here.

Organize, communicate, get out the vote, register people, stay united. Win back congress in 06.

[patrioticliberal]

14. We pick our butts and scratch our balls