Reply #15: Crawl, Walk, Run, Fly

[KharmaTrain]

Some may recall that in the wake of the '04 elections there were predictions that the Democrats were on the verge of extinction. They were on the edge of having veto proof Repugnican majorities in both houses (shudder at that thought for a moment). For most of the past 7 years, we've had a rubber stamp Congress run by a mafia that turned Congress into a literal plantation. Democrats were lucky to get a meeting room in the basement...microphones were regularly shut off. Many of the Democrats serving today were lucky to get bathroom privilidges yet show much leadership.

The '06 elections were to stop the runaway train the Repugnicans had become. It wasn't a mandate as it was a shift in the balance...the mandate comes in the elections ahead. Many people voted against the corruption and lies of the Repugnicans as much, or more, than they did FOR Democrats. The deal has to be sold this election for real change to begin.

The House and Senate have been on long learning curves and short leashes. They face obstructionist Repugnicans who have shown time and again how little concern they have for the American people and continue to enable the booosh regime. Control doesn't mean domination...Majorities of 250 or more in the House and 55 seats or more in the Senate enables that...and we're not there yet.

There's a lot of work to do and this next election should be one of continued progress, not the do-all, end-all, but a stage in creating a long-term Democratic majority led by progressive and liberal agendas. Leadership and the party will come along...sometimes kicking and screaming.

I'm not angry, just frustrated.