We're All Democrats, Right? Right?? Right???

[Mr. Ected]

Sometimes when I read the criticism of our party on DU, I have to pause and ask myself that question. Of course, the answer is clear: we wouldn't be posting on DU if we weren't Democrats. And the best place to air out our frustrations with our own party is right here, on a discussion board for people of like minds; people who believe in the Democratic Party; people who long for a return to the ideals and policies once proudly trumpeted and adhered to by our duly elected Congressmen and women.

And yet, there is a sense of despair afloat. When our Democratic leaders in Congress seem to be distancing themselves further and further from our ideals, keeping their powder dry, taking impeachment off the table when that table had yet to have even been built...we look for alternatives. Yes, yes, yes. Dennis Kucinich is an endearing figure. So is Chris Dodd, Joe Biden even. But egads...the field we're running for 2008 is frightening. Flame me, Hillary lovers, Obama lovers, Edwards lovers. But my sentiment is far from isolated. And you know that, too.

What do you do when the two party system fails you? I remember hearing the Republicans chastising each other before the 2006 elections...how much the Republican Congress had shot themselves in the foot, and how poorly they had worn the mantle of their decrepid party. And I also remember hearing many of them saying: "Still, I'd vote for an ineffective, lying Republican over a Democrat any day".

Are we down to that? Are the Congressmen and women who have let us down in the most egregious way since January still the representatives of choice? The answer has to be yes. But that makes us all accomplices in the crime of unaccountability.