Seems like I have some fences to mend [sorry, long!]

There were some unfortunate things that happened on DU last night, and I had a lot to do with them.

I'm sorry.

I realize that I throw a sharp elbow every once in a while: I believe that this was picked up during my childhood in a slightly-rough section of New York City. It was a useful behavior at the time as it put bullies on notice that I wouldn't go down easily. But now I'm among friends, and it's become no more than a bad habit, creating furor where calm would be best.

Look: In the end, all of us Democrats want the same thing, both the moderates and the moonbats. We all want peace and prosperity. We all want a little security for ourselves, and a brighter future for our children. I understand this in my bones. Please realize that my bull-in-a-china-shop routine comes from a good place, from my overwhelming desire to build an America where we all have these things.

We all agree on what we want, but how is the sticking point amongst some of us. And we can quibble over methods, but in the end it's results that we seek. Results, not theory. Especially not Marxist theory!

So let us review together the proven results of moderate Democratic policies.

For almost 21 years, we moderate Democrats (notice I didn't use the inflammatory "sensible") have guided our grand old party forward. And the evidence is unequivocal. America has experienced a renaissance the likes of which have not been seen since Europe from 1348-1350.

Year after year, our bankers have had record harvests. Even in the darkest days of 2008, our financial institutions were pulled back from the brink of suspending ginormous banker bonuses - this is a proud testament to the powerful and nimble government institutions we moderates have pioneered. Our big banks have grown mightily since then, now almost 30% larger than they were during that dark time. Now they're really, really too big to fail. No, honest. (Stop laughing, you sound like a @#$%ing hyena, it's embarrassing.)

And the little people have not been left out, not this time! Trillions of dollars in twitchy derivatives owned by the wealthy are now backed by their bank accounts and the FDIC, so if another financial calamity occurs, everyone will be totally @#$%ed, not just the wealthy. Well, at least we'll have more of the little people's money to give the wealthy. In any case, somehow we're all in this together now. It's complex, most of you wouldn't understand anyway.

Entrepreneurism is building daily. Many millions have decided to leave the rat race for good, and are adventuring into the hustle and bustle of small business, often conducted from the funky cars and cardboard boxes they call home.

True, some groups have unfairly benefited from circumstances - namely the poor, the aged, and the sick. But we moderate Democrats, along with our partners on the other side of the aisle, are ready for the challenge of taking on these well-financed pressure groups with their slick lobbyists. More than ready. A Grand Bargain will be made, and fairness will be restored

After so many years of unrelenting success, our track record is clear, and it's time for each of us on DU to look into our hearts and ask some simple questions:

1. Are you better off than before our great crusade began in 1993? (Wait! Before you answer, remember that you have the Internet and self-adhesive postal stamps now, aren't those really great?)
2. Shouldn't moderate Democrats be given the chance to complete the job?

No need to respond directly to this post with your answers. Just mention them in an email or phone call to any third party whenever convenient, and they will be logged and stored permanently in a "#2 mayonnaise jar" on "Funk and Wagnall's porch" in Utah, until we need a favor from you. Such is the fantastic technology that our Way has wrought!

Results! Results! The evidence doesn't lie!

Yours in Brotherly Love,

Third-WayModerate-Democrat Manny

What if a US President drove one of these:

Sorry, I've had it with you crazies.

So tonight I was again told that the NSA is a "non-issue" that I'm "fixated" on.

Holy #%^*.

Let's set aside for a moment that the accusation was out of the blue, apropos of nothing in that thread, nor anything I recall writing about in the past week (so who's obsessed?). You folks who claim that secretly spying on everyone, secret laws enforced by secret courts, and secret extrajudicial kill lists are non-issues are just crazy.

Or utterly ignorant.

Wake up! Your deluded beliefs are helping to destroy our country. Our Founders created a country of laws, not of kings. A transparent legal system that applies to all Americans is the foundation of our country. As it dies, we die.

4.4 million children saved. Each year. 12,000 each day.

Lizzie Warren had an axe,

And gave Republicans forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done
She gave the Third Way forty-one.

Thanks Liz! Bye Larry!



Regards,

First-Way Manny

First they *ignored* us (for about 15 years)

Then they laughed at us (right fellow Firebaggers?)

Now they're fighting us - but we're starting to win. (Two big ones in the past week. Kind of our Concord and Bunker Hill.)

Gandhi was right about how this stuff flows.

We'll still lose a bunch, but we'll win even more. History, decency and stability are on our side.

Have at it!

Regards,

First-Way Manny

NY Times: Summers even less popular than bombing Syria

There are few times I've been so thrilled to be wrong.

The Third Way is officially back on their heels... opportunity awaits. Danger, too.

But we can win this!

Regards,

First Way Manny

After Summers is in place at the Fed's helm, I think

that the President should reach across the ailse and tap Michael "heck of a job " Brown(ie) to become Secretary of the Treasury. And name a drunk weasel to head his Council of Economic Advisers.

Then Larry can be Larry.