Let's Roll!

[H2O Man]

When the great Oglala Lakota leaders Crazy Horse ("Tha-Sunke Witko"; literally "His-Horse-Is-Crazy") died on 9-5-1877, his last words were spoken to his father. He asked his father to deliver a message to his people: "Father, tell them that it is no use to depend on me anymore. I am dying." On the eve of the 132nd anniversary of his death, I find myself thinking of them.

I remember that when Robert Kennedy was killed, Vine DeLoria, Jr., the Standing Rock Lakota lawyer, wrote that his people viewed the late Attorney General/Senator as a hero, and a warrior of the rarest kind – a white Crazy Horse. And then I think of Ted Kennedy, and his long struggle in Washington, DC, to bring about social justice. Poverty, as Gandhi pointed out, is the worst form of violence. Surely Senator Ted Kennedy realized this, and fought for families and individuals dealing with the dual horrors of poverty and illness.

The media paid some meaningful attention to Ted Kennedy’s passing. However, more offensive than the frequent focus on Kennedy’s human weaknesses, was their attempt to convince the public that it was "uncertain" if he could have helped pass meaningful health care reform this year, were he healthy and alive. The lie that they are trying to slip in is that pushing for meaningful reform is bound to end in failure. And they attempt to cement that lie with slime about the "far left" creating a dangerous atmosphere for those in Washington, who would prefer to "pass" utterly meaningless "reform," and maintain the support of those very people they betray.

Do not believe their lies.

There is a school of thought in psychology, which has a significant relationship to a wider study in sociology, that applies here. It was first examined in an organized way by Julian B. Rotter in 1954. In 1966, Rotter took his theory further (he also published more in ’75 and ’90), and it is influential in the field of "health psychology" – which, of course, is really no coincidence.

The basic theory has to do with how individuals view their ability to shape and exert some degree of control over events in their lives. Their view in this context is referred to their "locus of control." Of course, no individual has complete power over the events in their life. But, in a general sense, some people have an "internal locus of control." They believe that they have some control over the events and circumstances in their life. Other people have an "external locus of control." They believe that they are powerless, and victims of circumstance. The internal-external factor is a continuum, and the vast majority of people fall somewhere in between the two extremes.

There are a number of factors that influence the way people identify their ability to influence the circumstances in their lives. Certainly, sex, age, and ethnicity can be factors. Family and cultural systems play roles. When we consider those people who Crazy Horse was speaking to, we can easily understand why they, as both individuals and a group, looked to him for leadership. More, his death would create feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Those who killed him realized that, just as surely as those who killed RFK and MLK did, a century later.

Two related theories include the concepts of self-efficacy, and attributional style. Self-efficacy is similar to locus of control, but distinct. It is also related, at times, to self-esteem. It has to do more with how an individual views their ability to perform in an individual circumstance. Some of the studies on self-efficacy relate to individuals who have survived traumatic experiences in their lives, and continue to experience the phenomenon of disassociation in their lives.

Also related is attribution theory, which is an interest part of social psychology. In the 1970s, Bernard Weiner combined some of the important parts of locus of control, and attribution theories, in a way that proves useful in examining the way some individuals will continue to work in a disciplined manner in their approach to problems, even when they have not been successful in attempting to resolve that problem in the past.

I remember back in the 1970s, when Onondaga Faithkeeper Oren Lyons told an audience of area university students that in time, they would come to recognize that the power structure in the United States did not care for or about them, any more than it cared for or about Indian people. The current events regarding health care reform should prove that beyond any doubt to anyone who may have still questioned it at this late date.

Our political-economic-social-cultural enemies are counting on us to feel helpless and hopeless. They want us to sit, hateful and bitter, as these emotions drain any energy that could be better invested in meaningful action. They are convinced that democrats and associates on the left lack the organizational ability of the mindless republican robots at the grass roots level. Or, that if we lack a Crazy Horse-type of leader, that we will wilt.

We need to organize, starting as individuals with the capacity to exercise self-discipline, and to recognize that the ability to make meaningful change is something that we can influence. If we sit and stew, and spend all of our time and energy being upset by the snakes in Washington behaving in the manner they do, our energy is wasted. Our potential to influence public policy is invested in defeat. But if we let those people in Washington know that we do not view them as "leaders," but rather as "representatives," and that we will no longer support anyone who betrays us on this issue, they’ll get the message. It’s the only way it will happen.

If you’ve been working on this, thank you. Please double your efforts. Then triple them. People always feel better when they work in a disciplined way, with others, to obtain a goal.

If you haven’t been doing much, now is the perfect time to start. We need you.

Thanks,
H2O Man

[Octafish]

1. All Our Horses Are Crazy

TIME Magazine provides an excellent example of what you describe:

Nothing about the real meaning of the Kennedy Brothers -- Peace and Justice:

Joe Klein: How Ted Kennedy Found Himself

Establishing a new Big Lie, TIME magazine made out that Ted Kennedy was the brother who mattered most. I take the view each of them mattered infinitely to make ours a better world, because I hold that can be true for every human being:

The Brother Who Mattered Most.

Here's something missing from the Kennedy story: What the right -- from Gen. Curtis LeMay to DCI Allen Dulles -- repeatedly proposed to JFK and RFK -- WAR.

Did the U.S. Military Plan a Nuclear First Strike for 1963?

Recently declassified information shows that the military presented President Kennedy with a plan for a surprise nuclear attack on the Soviet Union in the early 1960s.

Those are facts that more Americans need to know. EMK's passing illustrated just who benefits most from its unmentioning.

Thank you, H20 Man. You know the Truth and you value it for the power it holds and the treasures it can bring, as well as the hurt it represents and the pain it brings. We the People could use a few hundred million like you.

[H2O Man]

6. I have noticed

quite a few reports on Teddy's death that attempt to present his political influence as somehow in competition with his two older brothers who were in office. As the corporate media's reporting so often is, this is so off the mark that it has to be intentional. The Kennedy brothers (and sisters) competed against each other in touch football. They cooperated in politics. Always. Hence, their careers can only be viewed properly as within the larger, cooperative family context.

[ooglymoogly]

40. Dr. Strange Love . nt

[the blues]

2. Fantastic post, H2O Man

Your writing is always crisp, clear, passionate, and persuasive: a pleasure to read.

I like your title, too. In its allusion to Flight 93, it recalls another circumstance where people stood up, instead of sitting, when forces tried to thrust them into a state of helplessness and hopelessness.

[H2O Man]

7. Thank you.

I don't expect that the media will report if the democratic left makes a large, firm, and rational statement to the representatives that we helped elect in large numbers in 2006 and '08. At least not accurately. It's diagnostic, really, that they "report" on the "threat" we pose to democrats in Congress, yet deny us a chance to discuss our views on their shows. But they will allow a jackass from the republican right-wing, who shows up to a presidential appearance wearing a gun and holding a sign with a quote that Timothy McVeigh wore on his sirt the day he became newsworthy, to appear on their shows to spout off in the most irrational way.

The media is dangerous. They pose a risk to the health of individuals in our country, and to our Constitutional democracy.

[cilla4progress]

22. I totally agree, H20 Man..

I try to avoid "blaming" the "media" because it sounds like an excuse. In the 1960s I avoided blaming them for violence at home over the VietNam War, because we needed to see the violence over there; whitewashing would not do. In the 1970s I criticized Repubs for blaming the media for Nixon's downfall - making a mountain out of a molehill (it now seems, in retrospect?) - over the Watergate breakin. I avoided blaming them in the 1980s for trivializing a very good man and President, as evidenced by his post-Presidential works, Jimmy Carter. And in the 1990s, for sucking all the oxygen out of Bill Clinton's presidency, on account of his petty pecadillos.

But reading your words, you, who I respect so much, I see I can let go of that self-imposed neutrality and call it what it is: traiterous. In a completely different vein, but on the same note -- just glancing at the headline that media choppers ruined Michael Jackson's funeral with their loud interruption...what is to be done to rein these monsters in?

[H2O Man]

31. Right.

Well said. I am not a frequent contributor to the threads that attack individual journalists. Part of the reason is because I have enough first-hand experience to know that even in the past, when a majority of reporters considered themselves to be "liberal," there were only conservative editors. And those conservative editors did what their corporate masters demanded.

There are individual journalists today, who attempt to give a voice to liberal democrats. But the progressive left gets no opportunity to express their values and beliefs, though the media constantly dismisses and purposely misrepresents them. Thus, the value of the internet should not be overlooked. It has proven effective, though the true potential is yet to be realized.

Again, your response is stated very well. I appreciate it, and am sure that others do, as well.

[Me.]

23. It Has Been Pointed Out

as recently as last night by Lawrence O'D that the desire for a public option isn't the product solely of the loony, radical left who just like children having a tantrum want what they want. Depending on the poll you choose, 55-70% of Americans, across the board, want it. Yet they, both the admin and media keep framing it as the desire of the fringe on the left and then equivocating the progressives with the rwers who are mired in hate and fear. Rahm, who is a conservative, has a long history of slinging mud at progressives. I still haven't forgotten his behavior as head of the DCCC in '05 where he openly knocked progressives out of the way to make room for the very blue dogs in the house who are creating problems. One particularly egregious example was when he recruited a Fla. Con to run as a dem, and knocked a good progressive out by lack of funding. The con/dem won and then went on to say he doesn't owe any allegiance to the dems. We are still being strangled by triangulation.

[Enthusiast]

62. Thanks H2O Man. Great OP.

Our media is dangerous. As we discuss this they are lending credence to a tiny group of right wing extremists that don't even want the duly elected President to speak to their children. The media did exactly the same thing with tea baggers and birthers.

[H2O Man]

64. Think about that.

Schools are supposed to teach students about civics, as well as critical thought. These people aren't complaining about "history lessons" from past administrations being taught. But they are up in arms about students listening to the President of the United States. They are just too transparent.

[leveymg]

66. Corporations are not people protected by the Constitution, They have no right to "free speech".

Yes, I am aware of the line of cases that have held to the contrary that extends from Santa Clara v. Southern Pacific Railroad (1886) through Buckley v. Valeo (1977)that have given them everything from sustantive due process to a right to buy and trade politicians. That will be tested again this session in the potential landmark case, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

But, really, corporations aren't people, and the biggest ones aren't even US residents anymore.

So, why do we continue to allow them to assault us with lies and psychological warfare and to subvert our political process? If they make war on us, are we not at war with them? It is my opinion that the U.S. people have the right to defend themselves, and if the government has been so corrupted and colonized that it will not act -- and, because we have lost our leaders, dead, wounded, and missing in action -- we have a duty to lead, to carry on, to defend this country from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

If the system again fails us, we take command of the battlefield.

[H2O Man]

67. Well said.

The media is, in a very real way, a subversive force that undermines our democracy. The federal courts aren't going to place restrictions on those run by the most powerful corporations (and intel agencies). At this time, I think that our options include watching/reading less of their product, and learning more about media manipulation. There are tactics -- all legal -- that can be used. No doubt, the media will ignore most of them. But we can have an impact at times.

[leveymg]

68. You too, my friend. But, you know, when we lose our leaders we must lead.

When a tribe -unit- gets all shot up, and the chiefs -officers- are all casualties, command continually devolves until you are in charge.

That is the situation we are nearing. We will know soon whether command has come to us.

[omega minimo]

3. Native, indigenous cultures, including American

recognize interconnectedness with the Earth and Universe we live in and on. Traditions of dream cultivation, seasonal festivals and thanking the animal or plant before taking it for sustenance, all recognize the exchange and responsibility of the participant.

People in modern cultures who have been fooled into feeling powerless are also raised with all the slogans about making a difference.

" Family and cultural systems play roles. When we consider those people who Crazy Horse was speaking to, we can easily understand why they, as both individuals and a group, looked to him for leadership. More, his death would create feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Those who killed him realized that, just as surely as those who killed RFK and MLK did, a century later."

The message still comes through:

If you ain't part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

[H2O Man]

8. "Think for yourself,

act for others." -- Onondaga Chief Paul Waterman, on the most important lesson to teach a community's children and youth.

[omega minimo]

43. That is so beautiful

and spot on. And fits perfectly with all those various versions of the Golden Rule.

:toast:

[bleever]

4. The cons want to impose learned helplessness on us.

To make us think that it doesn't matter what we do, really, because they'll beat us if we try A, or they'll beat us if we try not-A.

It's a perverse and functionally evil view of the American people and of government of, by, and for the people.


Superb post, H2O Man.

:thumbsup:

[H2O Man]

9. Exactly.

It's no coincidence that they serve the interests of the cooperations that own them. And, to give those devils their due, they could convince anyone who mistakenly believes they report the news objectively that they should carry umbrellas on sunny days, and go without one when it's raining.

[Ladyhawk]

72. I'm beginning to think it really doesn't matter what we do.

I feel like a beaten pet left in the rain.

[windoe]

5. I think you've nailed it.

They are representatives and not leaders. In the periphery of my awareness I have wondered what enabled government to become so top heavy, and I think that on a meaningful level people gave them that power. I have called it the cult of personality, and people's perception of their sphere of influence over events in their lives. It is the ultimate psyche out, to buy the message that we are powerless. It started to happen in the 80s for me, when Reagan got elected, the psyche out was, "We've got it handled, go back to your movies, discos and shopping..." They made movies about supernatural forces controlling the world, myths to go with those times of power-over, women became more passive and compliant and helpless, men more controlling, macho and dominating. And because of this perception that was sold to us on every level, our perception of our sphere of influence got infinitely smaller. Look what happened to the power structure since then, the country got harder, and the idea of democracy, of compassion, of cooperation was a quaint memory of the past. Individualism became more of a fashion statement than an exercise in philosophy or creativity. Our culture and schools were dumbed down then.

So much has happened since then, companies became colossal, the world became so complex, technology took off. Many people were left behind this fast changing country, so their sense of influence over the world, became very small. This sense of fear and bewilderment naturally led to an exponential growth in cults and religious extremism, as a way to deal with their sense of insignificance.

And yet the RW media has propagated this cult of personality, made media personalities sources of vital information used to make life and death decisions, either people are worshiped or they are demonized, the only thing that matters is the messenger, are they with us or against us? So the message gets lost entirely, it becomes moot to reason with people that so quickly dismiss someone because of race, religion or media channel.

I have made the same mistake myself, lamenting the powers that be and all the money and influence they have, but they are only human. And now, a small group of rabid fearful people are loose in the countryside, and we empower them by allowing them to distract us from our work. Yet the power shift we have inadvertently agreed with has manifested in a harsh world. The lesson is clear, but not easy, in order to change this world, we must change our perception of our place within it.

It is hard to find balance within in a world full of such imbalances of power, delusions of grandeur on one side and utter powerlessness on the other, predator and prey. We put the craziness in the center ring of the circus when we pay attention to it, instead of putting it where it belongs, in the side show.

I think we on the left have to get our bearings, set our internal compass and not be driven off course by so many manipulations designed to do so. This is why it is important to have visionaries, they help the collective dream a good dream, everything that manifests is first a dream. This is why all the most powerful visionaries on the left had to be killed, they were that powerful. They worked to EMPOWER the INDIVIDUAL.

I am in the process of doing so as I write this, and am comforted by posts such as this. Thank you.

[H2O Man]

10. Thank you

for this response. You are right on target.

Gandhi said that it is beneath human dignity to become a mere cog in a machine. Yet that is exactly what the corporations and media demand -- that we willingly give up that dignity that goes hand-in-hand with being truly human, and become a consuming cog that lacks free will. No, thank you. At times such as these, our humanity is our most valuable asset. Hence, in order to continue to impose an inhuman system, which denies human beings adequate, affordable health care, that machine identifies those of us who advocate for humanity as a threat to stability. They are more concerned with the order of the digits in their bank accounts, than with providing health care to a pregnant woman.

[agent46]

25. this is a post appreciation post

...and this is a toast: :toast:

A good retrospective on what's happened to our national ethos.

[JDPriestly]

30. Well said, Windoe

[KoKo]

41. + 1........and we see

even on this board and elsewhere where open minded people would congregate for fellowship and discussion, it becomes...predator and prey...glorification of distraction..circus..side show..

Quote from you:

We put the craziness in the center ring of the circus when we pay attention to it, instead of putting it where it belongs, in the side show.

[JonLP24]

11. Great OP

I really hate how the corporate media operates. Whenever the "far right" or republicans is upset about something the corporate media gives them a platform but issues like us upset about the direction to go to war is reacted very negative about us. And we're right all along. Garafolo was mocked when she said the main reason for why the teabaggers(btw, a very tacky name to call themselves) were protesting was because of racism. She was mocked by the other stations but the other stations wouldn't show the signs they were holding that Maddow showed on her program was very proof of it.

You're right and I should start doing more. I've written letters in the past to Hayworth(former rep), McCain, and Kyl and a McCain staff person was the only one to respond but said war was the only necessary option. I'll write the two asshats McCain and Kyl even though I already know how they feel. Since 2006 we've had Harry Mitchell(current rep) and he's been a strong advocate for heath care. He helped pass a bill to expand health insurance coverage for low-income children which greatly increased coverage for thousands of children under the SCHIP program. I also know he supports health reform but considering the amount of press the republicans protesting health reform on the local news(They are being especially loud in the Phoenix-Metro area) I will write him and urge him not to cave!!!

:kick:


:

[H2O Man]

15. Right.

Although I will run the risk of sounding like Glen Beck -- I did enjoy Keith O making fun of him on Countdown -- many years ago, when I worked with families with "at risk" youth, one of the things we did was talk to the young people about the way that advertisements try to lure them to use their products -- primarily tobacco. And the "mainstream" media is nothing, if not an advertisement for the industries that mold and produce it.

When I was a kid, I remember there being a hub-bub about subliminal advertising. I wasn't worried about the impact of a split-second flash of an image. But the cable news flashes lies 24/7. I prefer books.

[JonLP24]

12. Double Post

[spanone]

13. k&r....

[Spazito]

14. Great OP! n/t

[H2O Man]

55. Thank you! n/t

[SalmonChantedEvening]

16. K&R for my friend n/t

[H2O Man]

56. Thank you, my Friend!

I like that flag! Good message.

[Gman2]

17. Ive been using that phrase on all my calls to action, even if it isnt a true

one from 93. I have also been foisting these concepts, just not using three dollar words. Good read. And also, the right is using the Aliunsky rules on us. The one where you constantly harangue those that make declarations. Like the left thinks itself cerebral and contemplative, for instance. So, you harrass any leftie that makes a statemement about needing action soon. They say, I thought you were not supposed to be kneejerk. They are crafting a free speech cage for us. A virtual one. To mimic the ones they installed at all their meetings. Now, we suffer our stockholm syndrome en masse. So, we yell at each other, cuq those right fucks cant hear us. Witness all the infighting here.

[H2O Man]

34. Great point.

It seems strange to me that so many progressive/liberal democrats (and our best friends on the left) do not know much of anything about Saul Alinsky. That's a shame -- or, as Malcolm used to say, a double shame. It prevents the left from accessing the power of his message, in terms of organizing; and it handcuffs our ability to respond to the right-wing's hijacking his tactics.

A year ago, I bought a toxic book, "The Obama Nation," by that snake Jerome Corsi. He is, of course, the co-author of the Swift Boat Liar's book attacking Senator Kerry's war record from Vietnam. I had people ask me why I would read such trash? The answer, as any student of Alinsky would recognize, is that it is importantto know your enemy. No matter the size of the November election, nor the mandate the citizens gave to Obama and Congress, we knew these snakes would be going on the offensive. We knew that, as they do not have any sense of decency or morality, that they would resort to the most offensive of tactics.

We have the ability to not only confront them, but to deliver a crushing defeat. It simply takes an organized effort. Failure to organize and deliver would be a tragic mistake.

[Time for change]

18. I think you hit the nail on the head

We will be betrayed by many of our elected representatives if they think they can do so without paying a price for it. I'm very glad that there is a progressive block in the House that is threatening to vote against any bill without a public option. I hope they hold to that.

It just burns me up how our media so blithely talks about the "character" failures of Ted Kennedy. Whatever character failures he may have are nothing compared to most of them. And to hear Joe Scarborough of all people talk about how the media is unfair to Republicans!

[H2O Man]

57. We are all human.

We all have strengths and weaknesses. And, if we were all strong in the same way, and likewise weak, humanity would surely have degenerated and become extinct, long ago. For this reason, it is best to not get carried away in praising the strong (and certainly an error to attack weakness).

Yet, Ted Kennedy stands as a wonderful example of a person, who in his journey here on earth, both suffered and caused suffering, but who came through stronger. That is a beautiful lesson. It certainly is distinct from specimens such as Joe Scarborough.

[TygrBright]

19. Where the Power Comes From

I only recommended once because that's all the software allows. But I WOULD recommend H2O Man's post many times if I could.

Exactly.

They WANT us to feel helpless, hopeless, discouraged, angry and futile. They know that until we feel the power within ourselves, and begin to ACT upon it, we will be weak and disorganized and impotent.

Just this week, I spent some time with a person who exemplifies "internal locus of control" and who taps the power within as naturally as breathing, and she is awe-inspiring. This is a woman who, when her son was the victim of a traumatic brain injury, traveled halfway across the world to Australia at a moment's notice to be at his side. She's not rich, she's not well-connected, and this happened during an era when visa stamps were required and took days or weeks to arrange. She simply sought out the Australian ambassador and told him what she needed.

He said he couldn't do it.

She said of course he could. Because she needed him to.

He did it.

And when she got there, she was told that her son was still in a coma and would never walk again, probably never talk, maybe never even respond to other people, possibly never breathe on his own. And she sat beside him every day and KNEW that if she poured strength into him and did not give up, and kept the doctors and nurses from giving up, that her son would open his eyes, respond to her, and eventually talk and walk again.

The medical establishment wanted to vegetize him-- cut his tendons and put him in a long-term care regimen that would keep him 'comfortable' until he died.

She didn't let them.

He woke up. He responded to her. She started therapy, although she wasn't a therapist. She just set her mind to figuring out how people learn to talk, and devised ways to help him re-learn speech. He learned to talk. He started to move, enough to feed himself, with help. He recovered sensation, although all his muscles had atrophied.

The hospital had to discharge him; they sent him to an underfunded, overworked rehab center where she was again told that he would never walk again. Cut his tendons, find a long-term care center.

She told them no. She made them discharge him to her care. They agreed.

She had no place to take him, so she went and found an apartment. She had no way to transport him, so she called a taxi. She got the taxi driver to help her get her son in the car.

At the other end, she walked up to strangers on the street, and asked them to help her bring her son into the apartment.

Eventually, she had over four hundred volunteers from the community helping her care for her son, begin his rehab, find the resources they needed to survive while they were in Australia-- volunteers scrounged stuff to sell at the neighborhood flea market weekly. Volunteers helped with her laundry. Volunteers helped her get the publicity she needed to make the bureaucrats fear kicking them out of the country when their visas expired.

She just kept figuring out what needed to happen, and MAKING IT HAPPEN. Without money. Without power. Without family connections.

People are always calling her "extraordinary" and she shakes her head and says no, she's ordinary, she hasn't done anything that other people can't do. Maybe the difference is that she's just DONE it, but we can all do these things. Just try! You'll find yourself doing amazing things.

And she's right. And H2O Man is right.

WE CAN DO THIS.

But not if we allow the media and the money and the powerful bureaucrats to convince us that it's hopeless and we're helpless.

The Bible tells the story of the unjust judge-- a man known for his corruption and taking bribes and rendering unfair judgments. And the poor widow who petitioned him for justice. She had no money for bribes. He turned her down. She asked again. He turned her down. She camped on his doorstep. He wouldn't see her. Whenever he went out, she followed him around, asking and asking and asking. And finally, he gave her justice, just to get quit of her.

Whether you are Christian or not, whether you believe in God or not, this is a wise little illumination of human nature that we all can learn from.

We have the power.

IF we want it enough. IF we use the power.

We must camp on their doorsteps, we must follow them around, asking and asking and asking. We must not be distracted by quarreling over details and nuances. We know what we want:

HEALTH CARE FOR ALL. AFFORDABLE. ACCESSIBLE. PERIOD.

So we just keep asking until we get it. We keep using our power. We keep petitioning and we keep making noise and we DO NOT GIVE UP. We outlast the opposition. We dig in our heels. We grab everything they give us and keep asking for more until we have it all:

HEALTH CARE FOR ALL. AFFORDABLE. ACCESSIBLE. PERIOD.

I do not care HOW this is delivered, because I know that the ONLY way to ensure health care for all, affordable, accessible, period, will ultimately require the government to take charge and either become the single payer or to regulate the payment system (including insurance companies) to the point where they have to deliver health care for all, affordable, accessible.

Whatever works. Dance around it, squirm, compromise, offer half loaves, try the bait and switch, attempt to convince me that half-assed is good enough, I don't care. Until we have HEALTH CARE FOR ALL. AFFORDABLE. ACCESSIBLE. PERIOD. I will keep asking. I will keep following you around, Jeff Bingaman. I will keep following you around, Tom Udall. I will keep following you around, Chuck Grassley. I will keep following you around, President Obama. Asking. Politely. But firmly.

HEALTH CARE FOR ALL. AFFORDABLE. ACCESSIBLE. PERIOD.

This is only the beginning.

I will have my justice.

WE will have: HEALTH CARE FOR ALL. AFFORDABLE. ACCESSIBLE. PERIOD.

determinedly,
Bright

[Demeter]

35. Amen, Bright. Amen, H2O Man

All it takes is tenacity and time. Since almost no one will be gainfully employed for the foreseeable future, we have both.

[H2O Man]

59. Exactly.

I really appreciate your post. Great example. Ordinary people can do extraordinary things. And, as my friend Rubin says, "Miracles do happen. They just take a dog-gone lot of work."

[the blues]

83. Thanks for the story, Bright...

Wonderful reminder of our immense untapped potential.

[Me.]

20. Well Now You've Gone & Gone It

Posted yet another thought provoking piece! Have you read the article by David Sirota on Common Dreams how the progressives have confused a movement with a party?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6470961

[Me.]

39. Ahem

Gone & Done It

[H2O Man]

54. Or

"went & done it"?

[Me.]

71. Done Did It

[me b zola]

21. K&R

:thumbsup:

[H2O Man]

60. Thank you! n/t

[democrank]

24. Excellent as usual, H2O Man.

Thank you for this excellent piece.

After careful consideration and much soul-searching,I`ve reached the end...the spot where the road divides. From this day forward I will not support any politician who does not stand for (in both words and deeds) basic progressive principles of fairness, economic and social justice, equal rights and equal treatment.

I`m done with the endless wars, the corporatization of both major parties, the feckless media, the lily-livered "representatives" and the nearly non-existent Washington leadership.

Stand for something or don`t ask me for one thin dime or one minute of volunteerism at campaign headquarters. I`m done.

[cilla4progress]

27. Sadly, I agree

This old poli sci major who has been so inspired by the Obama movement...if he caves on this, I'm throwing in the hat. I think he's a good man, and could be a great President. But, honestly, I think he's intimidated as a Black president by the forces against him. What I mean is, I think he's afraid (maybe cognizant, is a better word) as our first AA president of being seen as too radical, too much of a change agent, of somehow "ruining it" for those who will come after him. You know, if he goes too far, will America ever elect another non-white Pres.? I think he has to damn the politics and follow his gut and conscience. And forget about Rahm.

[zeemike]

28. Oh if we had a Tha-Sunke Witko

Perhaps then they would listen....I would settle for a Geronimo.
But these OPs make you a valuable asset to DU....Keep at it Mr Waterman.

[H2O Man]

65. We have all of us.

And, if we put our minds and energy into making meaningful change, it will happen.

And thank you for your response. I appreciate it.

[RedCloud]

26. Give 'em hell

From Chief Joseph, Nez Perces'

"If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian, he can live in peace.....Treat all men alike. Give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. The Earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.......Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade....where I choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to think and talk and act for myself, and I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty."

[Bluenorthwest]

29. Great post

[Hekate]

32. KnR for a fantastic post. Must read it all later today...

Thanks all.

Hekate

[JDPriestly]

33. Thanks for the post, H2O Man

I have a comment/question about this paragraph:

We need to organize, starting as individuals with the capacity to exercise self-discipline, and to recognize that the ability to make meaningful change is something that we can influence. If we sit and stew, and spend all of our time and energy being upset by the snakes in Washington behaving in the manner they do, our energy is wasted. Our potential to influence public policy is invested in defeat. But if we let those people in Washington know that we do not view them as "leaders," but rather as "representatives," and that we will no longer support anyone who betrays us on this issue, they’ll get the message. It’s the only way it will happen.

This sounds good, but is not such a simple matter. I, for one, absolutely have the discipline. I can talk to anybody one on one, and when I do I am persuasive. That is because I know how to listen and ask the right questions. But I am not a leader. I do not have a charismatic appearance or personality. I do not "light up the room" when I walk in.

I can be depended upon to walk my precinct, to approach my neighbors on behalf of a candidate or about an issue. And I am really good at tabling -- standing in a public space, handing out information and talking to people about issues. I have done all these things with great success.

But I have two problems. I am bookish and therefore awkward in social situations in which I have to make small talk and remember everybody's first name. In other words, I am not a politician.

I suspect that a lot of people who post frequently on DU have personalities like mine. We don't lack discipline. We just don't have the kind of personality that leads.

So we rely on leaders. But, over and over, our leaders let us down.

We blame the Mainstream-Media for its bias and unwillingness to report the truth. The fact is that our leaders, those charismatic types who put themselves out in front and for whom we volunteer endless hours, let us down over and over on issue after issue.

Health care reform is just one example. Obama is throwing money into the Bush's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and pinching pennies when it comes to saving American's lives.

Obama was not my first choice. But I got on the bandwagon once he was nominated and worked very hard for his election. I realize that he inherited a horrible economy. But the fact is that he worsened the situation himself by choosing horrible economic advisers.

I feel completely let down. First of all, my candidate lost. Now I realize that Obama simply does not have the maturity, experience or judgment to do the job well. I have worked with discipline to organize on my local level in various ways and with various organizations for years. But I am not optimistic about the future, not optimistic at all.

It is wonderful to talk about the wisdom of leaders of the American Indian movement, but the fact is that native Americans did not get very far by listening to those wise leaders. More and more, at least in the eyes of most ordinary Americans, Indian culture equals gambling casinos, not spiritual values.

My problem is not a lack of discipline or willingness to organize. It is utter disillusionment with Obama's lack of direction and values. All his idealistic talk seemed to vaporize as soon as he was contacted by the National Security Administration leaders.

I really do not see the point in organizing or disciplining myself in order to support the continuation of the very immoral, foolish policies that I thought that I and others who organized and disciplined themselves with me in recent years were accomplishing. It isn't that I am unable to be persistent and to have courage. It is that I feel utterly betrayed.

Again and again, I work to support

[H2O Man]

36. You raise a number

of interesting and very important points. I'm skipping ahead a bit on this thread, to try to respond to a couple of them.

I'll start by addressing the issue of "leadership." There are three general types of leadership: First is traditional, which is what we think of when we consider the Native American cultures from the past (and a few today). Leadership is based largely upon an individual's ability to provide for people, in the context of their culture. Traditional communities do things that reflects "the way we have always done them." And traditional leadership is associated with tribal groups, and is often crushed by contact with an empire.

Second is "systems" authority, which is that found within empires and industrial states. It can be overt authority ("Do this/ Don't do this, or you will be punished"), or anonymous authority ("Wouldn't you like to do this, and be just like everyone else?"). Systems authority translates to bureaucratic authority, and we experience one notable downside when we visit the Department of Motor Vehicles. Yet, it allows a system to deliver services -- in theory -- to the greatest number of people.

Charismatic authority is, of course, found in individuals who are recognized by groups as having a special, dynamic ability to lead. Crazy Horse combined charismatic and traditional authority; JFK, RFK, and MLK combined charismatic and systems authority. No charismatic leader gets far without the help of assistants talented in systems. Likewise, as Thomas Merton pointed out, no charismatic leader who rises with the help of systems assistants will die of old age.

With Obama, I believe that we have a charismatic leader, with relatively little ability in systems. He was promoted not only by the eager masses at the grass roots, but by systems workers who are intent on using his image to promote a continuation of staus quo policies. Hence, I believe that the grass roots has to organize and knee-cap the "moderate/conservative" systems people who are controlling the policy decisions in Washington, DC. Easier said than done, of course, but the alternative is far more difficult.

It will take a combination of the three forms of authority and power to obtain our goals. And, making it more complicated, many of our problems cannot be "solved," only dealt with on an on-going basis. Another problem we face is that people have been lied to for so long, that they often acept those lies as truth. For example, in your post, I get a sense that you diminish your own unique talents and abilities. Please don't. Our side needs -- demands! -- your unique talents, abilities, and insights. That is what team work and true community is based upon. There is no substitute.

At this point, I suspect that Obama is finding out what President Kennedy discovered -- that being President does not allow one to do what they know/knew needed to be done to make progress. For Obama, it can be no surprise: his experience as a community organizer was important, but he was not particularly successful. And, in truth, he can't organize the liberal/progressive left. Only we can, using our combined talents, abilities, and insights. It's up to us. And it may be that, when we do, President Obama will make the correct decisions. At least part of the time. And when he doesn't, we will have to use our power to push in the correct direction.

Constant struggle. Is there any other way?

[JDPriestly]

49. Actually, I worked for a non-profit in community organizing so to speak

so I understand the limitations on that kind of effort: the necessity for fund-raising from wealthy individuals and interests.

If President Obama can't do a lot better than he is, I just don't see the point. I think it is pretty hopeless.

[Me.]

85. I.E. The Status Quo

"to organize and knee-cap the "moderate/conservative" systems people".

Those who find it impossible to change for it never suits their purpose for things suit them just fine exactly as they are.

[windoe]

37. My definition of social movement,

starts with an internal shift of awareness. You define something that needs to change. I hope you don't mind me responding to your post, but I am inspired by it. Social movement starts or is the same as a personal movement.

This is where belief, inspiration, self empowerment is crucial, because at this point we have the opportunity to set a strong intent to contribute to this change, even if we cannot see how we are going to do it at this time. At this stage, social movements are either derailed or inspired to continue.

We are at this stage, there needs to be an internal shift within the left, a strong intent that our lives, decisions and mindset will be dedicated to the task at hand.


Everyone has a place in this world, I am also fairly geeky and introverted, but I am really good in a one on one. So this is my place. Others are writers, artists, nurturers, comedians and even those in the green movement, alternative energy and medicine are working for the future.

Because if we follow our intent, the day will come when we can see what needs to be done--AND WE WILL BE READY.

[KoKo]

38. JDP and H20 Man... "A Party, Not a Movement."

Reading your post, H20 Man and JDPriestley's reply my thoughts went back to this article by David Sirota. It seems to touch on what both of you are saying in some ways.

My experience is aligned with JD's in my experience working for John Kerry and Obama in my community. At some point we can only do so much in our local experience and need a "leader" to carry forward the ideas. It's not that we have given up, but we don't see value any longer in working for those who ignore the value of the local efforts. At this point the Democratic Party seems to not be able to find a person with the commitment to use power when they are elected to work for what are "supposed to be" Democratic Party ideals when they are on the dole from corporate interests.

I personally am moving away from "Party" to "Movement." Firedoglake has some good action activities and I'm locally trying to support the Health Reform Movement with the demonstration we had in our State Capitol last weekend. But, as far as knocking on doors or outreaching RW neighbors after what's looking like a disaster coming for the Dem Party ....well, I've had it with that. The focus has to be on building movements and maybe it has to be online with groups that will splinter off from the Dem Party to re-build. Now that there's clear evidence that re-building is necessary and we who still care will have to find other ways than we have in the past. Just my humble opinion.

"JD," & H20 Man,

if you missed the Sirota article, here's a snip and a link:

-----------------
A Party, Not a Movement

David Sirota

The difference between parties and movements is simple: Parties are loyal to their own power regardless of policy agenda; movements are loyal to their own policy agenda regardless of which party champions it. This is one of the few enduring political axioms, and it explains why the organizations purporting to lead an American progressive "movement" have yet to build a real movement, much less a successful one.

Though the 2006 and 2008 elections were billed as progressive movement successes, the story behind them highlights a longer-term failure. During those contests, most of Washington’s major labor, environmental, antiwar and anti-poverty groups spent millions of dollars on a party objective -- specifically, on electing a Democratic president and Congress. In the process, many groups subverted their own movement agendas in pursuit of electoral unity.

The effort involved a sleight of hand. These groups begged their grassroots members -- janitors, soccer moms, veterans and other "regular folks" -- to cough up small-dollar contributions in return for the promise of progressive movement pressure on both parties’ politicians. Simultaneously, these groups went to dot-com and Wall Street millionaires, asking them to chip in big checks in exchange for advocacy that did not undermine those fat cats’ Democratic Party friends (or those millionaires’ economic privilege).

This wasn’t totally dishonest.
Many groups sincerely believed that Democratic Party promotion was key to achieving progressive movement causes. Additionally, during the Bush era, pushing progressive causes and helping Democrats was often one and the same, because those causes primarily indicted Republican obstructionists.

But after the 2008 election, the strategy’s bankruptcy is undeniable.

As we now see, union dues underwrote Democratic lawmakers who today block serious labor law reform and ignore past promises to fix NAFTA. Green groups’ resources elected a government that pretends sham "cap and trade" bills represent environmental progress. Health care groups, promising to push a single-payer system, got a president not only dropping his own single-payer promises, but also backing off a "public option" to compete with private insurance. And antiwar funding delivered a Congress that refuses to stop financing the Iraq mess, and an administration preparing to escalate the Afghanistan conflict.

Of course, frustrated progressives might be able to forgive the groups who promised different results, had these post-election failures prompted course corrections.

More of the article at:
http://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_13266062

[JDPriestly]

46. Thanks!

[JDPriestly]

48. Thank you KoKo

I do not, however, see that much can be gained or at least gained quickly enough to make any difference, from movement politics. Our Constitution does not permit movements, as opposed to parties, to gain enough voice in our government to really cause change. I have lived in European countries in which a small grass-roots party or movement such as the Greens could at least make a real difference, bring down a government for instance. I understand that the Constitution does not prohibit government by movements rather than parties, but the simple fact that it does not allow a small number of representatives to bring down a government effectively eliminates the value in backing movements instead of parties.

Besides, I, for one, belong to movements, several of them. They have very little influence outside the judicial system. And since we have so many conservative judges on the bench now, even that tiny bit of influence is dwindling.

[KoKo]

61. It will take TIME...something some of us have more or less of...

And, frankly it get's so depressing that it almost comes to the point of "Passing the Torch" when one needs a rest and then picking up the torch way down the line..

But, we seem to share an experience. I like to think that our efforts meant a lot in those dark times...and that we couldn't get done what we hoped for is not due to our lack of diligence...but due to "forces beyond our control..that we were not aware of...or made aware of."

I think, though, "JD and H20 man" that we "DID GOOD!" In our "own small ways" we did "A LOT OF GOOD" that will be out there for building upon.

:hi:

[ooglymoogly]

42. Great post H20 man....If it is going to happen it must happen

now. Sign every petition make every call over and over and blast every congress critter that is waffling, obfuscating and downright lying.

[autorank]

44. It's a good day for balance - locus of control k*r

"Our political-economic-social-cultural enemies are counting on us to feel helpless and hopeless."

This is the essence of control in our country. Just one change - replace "enemies" with "our system"
and it's complete.

They manufacture news, elections, and entire eras of history in order to protect their gains and
avoid ridicule and prosecution.

That can be over. We have the power to ignore (not be ignorant) their trash, create alternative
communities, and engage on levels where we're not out gunned. We can prevail, in fact we're close.
I only hope it's in time.

[rucognizant]

87. Richard Bach

"Our true nature is not bound by space or time, we are expressions of the Is (see: Non-duality), we are not truly born nor truly die, and we enter this world of Seems and Appearances for fun, learning, to share experiences with those we care for, to explore—and most of all to learn how to love and love again."
Richard Bach's philosophy of life.
Laugh out loud, and often!

[SalviaBlue]

45. Wow, what a great post. Thank you. nt rec

[nolabear]

47. And if you believe the locus of control is external

then all you can do is to try to escape the pain or consequences of being powerless. This often leads to addiction, abuse of others (something you think you can control), and identification with anyone who is in power and promises to keep you safe. It's brainwashing's best friend.

[sagetea]

50. This is why I come here!

Thank You, H2O Man

Ho
sage

[GinaMaria]

51. Sign here. The video is moving

"We worked so hard for real change. President Obama, please demand a strong public health insurance option in your speech to Congress. Letting the insurance companies win would not be change we can believe in."

Can you join me in signing the petition? Just click here to sign. http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5649/t/4951/content.jsp?content_KEY=2793&tag=pod_auto-email1

Please pass it on to others who volunteered, staffed, voted for, or donated to Obama's campaign in 2008. It's important that we speak out, and we have one week do to it. Thanks so much...

P.S. Remember this? Click to listen. "We want change!" Watch the video to lift your spirit.

[truedelphi]

52. This is the very best thing I have read

On DU that refers to the spirit inside all of us. It is just awesome.

Thanks so much for putting this up for us to read.

[babsbunny]

53. I'm ready!

:hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi:

[havocmom]

58. Thank you, dear H2O Man, for the gentle reminders for us to stay in the fight

The only way we lose is if we do not engage. Thank you for reminding me. You are clear water for the soul of my own horse that is crazy. And I needed your refreshing medicine this day.

[swilton]

63. Very Inspirational

Thanks!:kick: :fistbump:

[Uncle Joe]

69. Outstanding, H2O Man and the trillion dollar conclusion.

"We need to organize, starting as individuals with the capacity to exercise self-discipline, and to recognize that the ability to make meaningful change is something that we can influence. If we sit and stew, and spend all of our time and energy being upset by the snakes in Washington behaving in the manner they do, our energy is wasted. Our potential to influence public policy is invested in defeat. But if we let those people in Washington know that we do not view them as "leaders," but rather as "representatives," and that we will no longer support anyone who betrays us on this issue, they’ll get the message. It’s the only way it will happen."

Kicked and highly recommended, thanks for the thread.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Uncle Joe]

70. P.S. Your thread looks like it was started today and yet it tells me 24 hour limit has lapsed

keeping me from recommending it?:shrug:

[fascisthunter]

76. I got the same thing

[KoKo]

80. It happens a lot around here lately. Young posts that are said to be over 24 hrs. old. Computer

Glitch, I assume.....

[lunatica]

79. I also tried to recommend and got the same message

[Joe Fields]

73. H2O Man, I feel this is your of your best posts ever!

And that is saying a lot. Thanks for those words of true wisdom. I hope that they spur others to action.

[fascisthunter]

74. Great Post!

Kick!

[GinaMaria]

75. kick, already rec'd

[myrna minx]

77. Thank you K&R n/t

[lunatica]

78. This is an excellent thread and very inspiring

We progressives must reach out like this because it's too easy to feel alone. I have never given up because I would rather lose a battle for a just cause than never fight at all. May I pass on my motto? It's simply reaffirming that anything is possible. And one person can make it happen if they have the passion. Leaders like Gandhi changed the world. Men like Jesus, whether you're religious or not or whether you think he was the son of God or just crazy his influence changed the world. Rosa Parks who simply stood her ground, Mother Teresa, Mandela, Sojourner Truth, and so many more just had the deep conviction that drove their lives. To me they were all Progressives. Every one of them stood against what was considered the rules of their times. Every one of them believed that change was possible. None of them did it for personal power.

There are two ways to make a choice, any choice. One way is for what you can get out of it personally and the other is for what's best for all. Progressives always make the latter choice.

[KoKo]

81. In a sense that odd comment made by Obama "We are the Ones We've Been Waiting For..."

is something to think more about. It was assumed at the time that Obama would be the "Leader" of the "Legions" who would right all the wrongs that the Bushies and Reagan had done.

It just might be that what he said was prophetic, but he wouldn not be part of the "We are the Ones." It would be up to "US" to be the "Ones we were Waiting For." :shrug: Perhaps he saw himself as Moses. He wouldn't make it there to the "Promised Land." It would be left to us.

[a la izquierda]

82. K & R

a pleasure to read this morning.

[suffragette]

84. Well stated

This part, in particular, resonates strongly: "But if we let those people in Washington know that we do not view them as "leaders," but rather as "representatives," and that we will no longer support anyone who betrays us on this issue, they’ll get the message. It’s the only way it will happen."

Concur and K&R.

[DemReadingDU]

86. Thank you, very inspirational

Too late to recommend, but with you. Let's roll.