I've just about had it and it's breaking my heart

[Rose Siding]

Democrats, according to Congressional Quarterly, in an attempt to gain "leverage — namely Republican allies in Congress — in fights to come with Bush’s over domestic spending" are set to approve "more money than Bush requested", for -and I can hardly believe I'm writing this- abstinence only education funding.

This proven failure, this anti-science, anti-academia, anti-healthcare, anti-man/woman/child dogmatic boondoggle is an Assault On Reason.

IF there are still Democrats left who are NAIVE enough to believe that a Republican pledge of allegiance is worth more than the spittle drying on their lips, then hey, have at it with the back room deals. Pragmatism stings! I know that. But please, this could not possibly have been least worst option. Hell, promise a little more in Hallibuton's envelope next month! GIVE Crybaby Stevens his goddamn bridge. But you can not tell me that the ONLY way to govern in America is to barter away the lives of our youth.

Our money -money we don't even have- will be spent on something which no longer even has any veneer of truthiness. BY DEMOCRATS. Apparently, Democrats will have the ignominious distinction of providing the FIRST funding that abstinence only programs have received in three years.( Source )

And what's the real-time crumb in trade? :

Ralph Regula, R-Ohio, a former chairman of the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee, said Obey “balanced that out with an equal amount to Planned Parenthood.”

Yes, dear hapless, hopeful Democrats, the Republicans do believe their debt is already paid in full, with money (my read: Payola) for Planned Parenthood, aka The Incumbency Protection Society. Remember PP's endorsement of Rape Gurney Lieberman over the women's rights candidate? (Joe didn't think that sexual assault vics unfortunate enough to land at Catholic hospitals should have access to emergency birth control because they could take a "short ride" to another hospital. He took no position that I'm aware of on who should be tasked to clean up the blood or other bodily fluids they leak on the way. It should be noted that the local PP leadership, as well as NOW endorsed Lamont)

My friends, this has really knocked the wind out of me. If you've seen me around the board, you might have noticed how reluctant I've been to get down on Democrats, preferring to focus on those instances when they do appear to be working to deliver for us. But I haven't posted much lately, being under a creeping malaise after the war funding bill.

That's when I began showing up at the small regular protests in my area. On Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings a group shows up at a busy intersection to hold signs. I don't believe that will change US policy. That's not why I do it. I do it because it's changing me. And that's all we really have any control over, isn't it? In an effort not to embarrass myself or my teen we only stay until I can no longer hold back the tears. Funny thing: I discovered that the overwhelming sense of unity I get from each honk/peace sign/thumbs up/wave as car after car goes by just slays me.

So I mostly kept my own counsel around here after that vote but this is hitting me like a neon sign. Just how long is the minimum wage hike supposed to sustain liberals? THAT was supported by 90% -virtually the entire country!

We've seen some victories, sure -Just last week Pelosi squashed that ridiculous bill -more madness from dems- that would have weakened the ability of states to impose ambitious environmental legislation. But kee-rist on a cracker, they're still considering, still just threatening subpoenas! And now they've sold out a fundamental obligation to provide our children with every tool available to help them be healthy. I'm agog.

The only mention I found about this on DU was babylonsister's post a couple of days ago - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1057524 - with so little discussion that I was left wondering if we're all feeling too beat down to muster any more outrage.

These deep and muddy political waters seem to close over top of us all at various times, and right now they've got a good hold on me. Help? -and if you can do it without leaving bruises, that would be greatly appreciated.

*Miss Tina says it better- (especially the part about how I do appreciate you being 'round)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWjfzg0NUi8&mode=related&search=

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. It's the only way we can fight the veto and fund every other Labor/HHS/Ed program

It sucks, but while Bush is in office, these are the things we have to do. I'd rather have a completely ineffective program funded than not fund hundreds of others.

[Rose Siding]

2. Do you believe there was no other "completely ineffective program"

that could have been funded that might not have had such a crushing effect? These are kids that won't learn about stds or choice or condoms. It even defeats the common goal of preventing unwanted pregnancy.

I just don't believe this is one of the things "we have to do".

[Horse with no Name]

3. And that is a crime

To say I am disappointed is an understatement.
I'm not seeing much difference between "us" and "them" when the rubber meets the road.
When they talk it sounds good...but then the actual legislation is really no different.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. Not one that would get Republicans to override the veto.

We'd have to get nearly half of all House Republicans on-board to override a veto. Even WITH this program being funded, it's not a slam dunk to happen by any stretch.

Like it or not, this is what the American people voted for in 2004. Sure, I think most people would like to have that vote back right now, but they can't have it. So we're stuck with this.

The only other option is to completely sit on our hands for the next year and a half and do absolutely nothing, which would probably sit even worse with voters.

[durtee librul]

9. The damn thing should have died with the veto

and the blood on bush's hands. NO COMPROMISE should have been offered. * vetoed - there it sits. End of discussion and plenty of time to 'posture' yourself and make pr statements to your hearts content.

I challenge anyone out there in DU to tell me ONE time the military in this country has not gotten what it wanted one way or the other, with or without Congress 'approving' funds for it.

The war and all that goes with it (equipment et al) would have continued to be 'funded.'

This was just a damn dog and pony show with mighty expensive tickets imho.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

10. I'm talking about the Labor/HHS/Education bill - NOT the Supplemental. (nt)

[Rose Siding]

11. Compromising principles doesn't win elections

Ever. And we'll need to win even more next time than last.

This Democratic Congress already has a lower approval rating with Democrats than with Republicans but it's still a little soon for them to be courting the wing nuttiest Right.

I don't believe Republicans will EVER help to override a Bush veto. That explains, in part, WHY I'm a Democrat. Usually, they aren't Republican Stupid, so agreeing to fund this absurd program will probably end up being pointless.

Meanwhile, we sit and find excuses when Democrats do something indefensible, something we vigorously, and justifiably, ridiculed Republicans for doing. Who knows, maybe the heat they took for it in the public forum had something to do with why the Republican Congress abandoned it altogether for the last two years. Whatever the reason, even they didn't mess with it.

[leftchick]

16. "Compromising principles doesn't win elections"

isn't that the truth. Yet they do it over and over again. :puke:

[Solly Mack]

5. ....

sigh

[Rose Siding]

6. OK, that's it. I'm going to the garden center.

When I make my Solly Mack sigh, I've gone too far. :hug:

[Solly Mack]

7. I love gardening! I miss it too. No more yard - not even a balcony.

It always helped to sooth me.

:hug:

I detest what it is called "the game" (playing politics)....lives are at stake...no time to play at anything.

Funding a failed policy based on faery dust sorta cancels out all the good money to Planned Parenthood could be doing.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. Detesting the game doesn't make it disappear.

"The game," as you call it, is very real, and as you state, lives are at stake. There is no choice but to play the game - none whatsoever. Politics is not for the feint of heart.

[Warren DeMontague]

12. Hey, maybe we can stick a giant gold-plated Jesus on top of the Wash. Monument, while we're at it.

He can be holding a big solid-gold ribbon that says "I Support The Troops!"

:eyes:

[Warren DeMontague]

13. No, no no. It's NASA that's wasting your tax dollars.

When it comes to totally ineffective, thinkly veiled Jesus-based preaching at kids not to have sex before marriage... spare no expense!

:sarcasm:

[blm]

14. Hey Rose - I feel like that on many days lately.

And I have been battling to expose BushInc for twenty years now - and some here have been focused on the Bush bastards' criminal activities for even longer than that. NOTHING has ever made me feel like giving up completely, though. But some days it can be tempting when the corporate media is so obviously stacked in favor of the fascists.

[bonito]

15. Your not alone

If it helps, remember "take time to smell the roses" well today, spend more time there, but take time to smell the politics, then back away again.