The powder is so dry it is blowing away - are we finally ready to fight???

[The Straight Story]

On everything from gay rights to health care I have heard over time "Just wait until we get enough people in congress...." then when we got congress it was "Don't make it a huge issue, we still need to win the white house."

Now we have both, but I am sure some will worry about the mid terms and pissing off the middle, so keep that powder dry for the next election.

From homelessness to health care to gay rights it is time to take a stand and quit screwing around. To hell with those who don't like us and view these issues differently, to hell with them and their ideas.

We have people suffering here and they need us. My brother-in-law was able to marry his long time boyfriend in CA (a few weeks before the whole prop 8 thing went down), my best friend though here in Ohio still cannot marry his long time lover. We have people who have to choose between food and meds, between paying the mortage or going to the doctor. We have folks out on the streets freezing their asses off while our government bails out millionaires and their companies.

You want to help people? Then we need to fight for us all, not just for the few.

Obama cannot do it alone, nor can our congress - we put it all into this election and we need to let those in power know we put them there for a reason, for CHANGE.

People are hurting and they need us to keep up the fight, the future of DU to me is that we keep posting news articles, keep our elected officials' feet to the fire, and keep working for the change we mandated a few weeks ago.

OUR job has just started, and we need each other and places like DU more than ever before.

We have finally got our weapons ready to fire and fight the good fight, it's time to use that powder we kept dry.

/end rant
-TSS

[glowing]

1. Got a match? Or would you like to borrow mine?

[kstewart33]

2. Where's the evidence that we need to declare war?

Obama's 2 months away from taking office. So far, I haven't seen any signs that he's backing away from the mortgage and health care issues.

Gay rights, no I don't think that's on his top ten list. Neither would it be on mine, at least not in the opening months of his presidency.

Remember how Clinton derailed his presidency and handed Congress to the Repubs in 1994? I'm sure that Obama does. No gay rights stands - at least not yet.

There are more important things to address first. And he needs to build his own credibility with the American people. Once he's done that, then it's time to tackle gay and minority rights.

[The Straight Story]

3. He's got 4 years

Hit those issues up now and in 4 years people will hardly remember them (they have a short attention span). Get the big things done as soon as possible.

Do the right thing and let the chips fall where they may.

[progressive_realist]

13. Did you not read the post you responded to?

Two things killed Clinton's presidency and handed Congress to the Republicans: gun control and gays. I hope Obama stays far away from both of these issues for his first couple years.

Fact is, if gays can't even prevail in California, they aren't ready to go national. It may suck to hear this, but they have years of organizing at the local and state levels ahead of them before they get national recognition. Equal rights for african-americans took decades and so will equal rights for homosexuals. They just aren't ready for prime-time yet.

[cabluedem]

15. Right on! If Obama goes after guns, gunowners will spend money like mad to get even in 2010....

The same goes for the churchies and gay rights. You are 100 percent correct.

[RC]

4. How about addressing the issue of the criminals in the bu$h administration.

We cannot let them walk or they will be back stronger than ever. Most of them need to stand trial in the World Court for War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity. We need to try several dozen for Treason before we turn them over to the world court.

[MNBrewer]

7. Right

Gays to the back of the line! :sarcasm:

[backscatter712]

11. With gay rights, I'd say the best move is to dump the Prop. 8 and gay marriage issue on the courts.

That way, Obama can shrug his shoulders and wash his hands of the issue, so as not to repeat what Clinton did, but at the same time, chances are the California Supreme Court and the SCOTUS are going to rule that prohibiting gay marriage is unconstitutional - the GLBT community wins in the end, but Obama doesn't get tarred by the fundies - all they can do is rant and rave futilely about "activist judges."

[lib2DaBone]

5. The real problem and the frustration is the Bush Crime family....

...everyone is WAITING. Waiting is a hard thing to do. Bush and Cheney should be sent to War Crimes Prison... we can only hope, that in spite of a horrific economic depression that is upon us.... someone will have the initiative to hold Bush & Cheney responsible.

[midnight]

6. You are right. We have no time to screw around. There are

people dying from lack of doing anything against these outrages abuses. People in this country should not have to be homeless so bankers can have lots of our money and do whatever they want with no strings attached.

[Dragonfli]

8. Careful! You may be called "Progressive" Or "Liberal"

Both terms seem to be derogative around here lately, the price of victory I suppose.
Personally, I believe in accountability. Representation of the lower and middle classes even if it makes the corporations and rich folks angry and the pursuit of peace if it can be had. So I am a "whining joke of an ass" that is a progressive, liberal standing in the way of of bipartisanship. At least that is the gist of some of the PM's I have received.

It isn't about keeping their powder dry, it is about keeping the DLC/neo-libs and republicans on board.
Didn't you get the memo?

By the way, I admire your activism and I am proud of you.

My personal take on the posts I see around here lately is expressed here. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7908453&mesg_id=7909264

If I mixed you up with someone else I am sorry - but I think you are a favorite youtube poster of mine.
I also apologize if by association I cause you trouble.

:patriot:

[bvar22]

10. Don't let the "Centrists" grind you down.

Refresh my memory, what DOES a Centrist stand for?
Where is the line they will not cross?
What issues will a "Centrist" fight for, and how do they know when it is time to fight?

"The only thing in the Middle of the Road
are Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos!"---Jim Hightower


The easy part was winning the election.
The HARD part started 2 weeks ago....making our voices heard, and holding our elected Democrats accountable.


If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you and may posterity forget that ye were once our countrymen."
--Samuel Adams


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[Dragonfli]

14. Your right, I was perhaps unrealistically expecting a win for all of us.

I shouldn't forget why I care, why I try, and what we are up against. There are too many people counting on those with voices not to remain silent.

There are also too many well-funded interests in both parties to expect they will give up power so easily just because the people have tried to ask for change.

I think perhaps I should go back to focusing in the grass roots arena - teaching people that only through unity can those without power gain the voice of the majority they are. The corporate and military interests are strong with money and power, but not numbers (it can easily be seen if you listen as I have during canvasing about what people really need and hope for).

The hard work begins now. The bought and paid for politics can be overcome by those that fight for the interests of the whole. And it must begin somewhere. If I let them continue to get to me I am a useless advocate and a powerless and ineffective voice.



Thanks for the reminder.:pals:

[tomp]

9. fight? hell no! we're reaching across the aisle....

....president of everybody, you know....gobama...

still waiting for change.

[fla nocount]

12. Centrists...Bite Me. You won't be here in 2012 because you've...

rode my coat-tails to your last majority. I am LEGION, my vision stretches to infinity. Your vision ends at the point of your nose, your pension, your 401k. You're ignorant, you're short-sighted, you're selfish and without principles. You are doomed along with all that is unsustainable. You are the parasite that kills it's host. A line has been drawn. Never again will I trust you, believe in you, partner with you. You are on your own as am I, but I am LEGION.


That was fun.

[chalky]

16. Crap! Too late to recommend. Oh, well.

Not to late to KICK.