Just some thoughts...

[gordontron]

Please excuse my rambling

After I cleared my head of steam and stopped agreeing with the people who called for a civil war I began to wonder what we can actually do.? There have been many constructive posts around here about supporting local candidates and opposition parties, but there has also been a lot of stone throwing. I really hope we can use all this passion constructively, but that remains to be seen...

I think there are a lot of better ideas that ripping the democratic apart and starting over. First we need to address the issue of our voice. We are obvious not represented. We need to elect officials at every level to take back our country and here is how to do it in my opinion:

First: We NEED election reform. I don't care if you don't want to hear about it anymore, because we need it. I don't just mean getting rid of diebold, but a complete overhaul. We need to institute http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proportional_representation">proportional representation for the state and federal congress and for single position offices we need http://www.instantrunoff.com/">instant run off voting. If we do this we will be able to elect minor party (think more progressive) candidates for major offices. How? With proportional representation for example, we only need to win 5% of the vote to get 5 U.S. senate seats. As for instant run off voting, it eliminates the problem of spoilers and allows people to vote their conscious rather than just checking the D box for fear of electing a republican.

Second: We NEED great people and leaders like the people around here on the DU to run for office. Even if you only run for a school board or a town council it is worth it. There are so many talented writers and thinkers around here; we just have to tap this skill. You guys are the politicians we have been waiting for.

Third: We need to continue the great grass roots activism here on the DU, but we also need http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x278330">to strengthen it.

:grouphug:

ok I'm done now, thanks for reading that

[Straight Shooter]

1. Dr. Phool has posted that he will be running against Ben Nelson.

I think there are also a lot more disgruntled DU'ers who are mulling over their options. Certainly there is a lot of separation of the wheat from the chaff going on. People are simply refusing to donate to DINOs.

Lieberman has got to go, more than anyone. He has too much influence and applies it always in the wrong direction. He is a jinx, an albatross, a ball and chain, a dead weight, a pox on our house.

[gordontron]

4. whats wrong with "an albatross"

:) they are nice birds

[Straight Shooter]

5. Heh. Reference to The Ancient Mariner.

Actually it's unfair to compare any creature to Lieberman. He's a freak.

[carolinalady]

2. I think we need to harness our money and numbers and be a

political action group.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x278330

[gordontron]

3. excellent!

I will edit my post to put in a link to that...hang on