2008 will bring a Democratic landslide... OR ... 2008 will be a smackdown

[T Wolf]

of do-nothing Democrats by the pissed-off liberal base.

Depending on which thread you happen to read, either of these predictions becomes the theme for the day. And we are still a year away from November '08. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to the next year of bullshit flying at me from the internet, television, print media, etc.

One thing I am sure about is that I am already fed up with this dysfunctional system of selecting the politicians who will rule us. Maybe that is the point of the process. After a year (or two) of rhetoric that no one can honestly believe, less than half of us will dutifully file to the polls and cast our ballot for someone we would not trust to babysit our children.

I see two paths out of this. One is revolution, though I am not too sure that Americans have the courage to take the necessary action. We are too comfortable with our electronic bread and circuses to even notice what is happening. Doing something about it is way out of reach. The population seems to be following the lead of Democratic politicians - keeping the powder dry until "someone" decides it is time to use it.

The second path lies in putting in the extremely hard work of building a movement from the bottom up. Local politics is really the only access point that regular Americans have available. And there is some inkling of life at that level. But it will take an extended, concerted effort that mirrors what the right wingers have done over the past 30-40 years. But we do not have the corporate, media, and financial resources that they did in their march to power.

And there is the very real question of whether we have enough time to take this long road. Many of us believe that the US is at a crisis point and immediate relief is necessary if we are to save America from sliding into full-blown fascism. Personally, I feel that being mortal humans, we tend to think too much in the present-tense and have a too-short perspective on our own history.

So, will next year bring success or failure? Both, of course. Depending on which thread you read.

[LakeSamish706]

1. I think that it will be a blowout by the Dems. simply because of the alternative...

I highly doubt that the majority of Americans are interested in seeing the enabling Republicans back in charge!

[mak3cats]

6. Unfortunately, "interested" is the key word here...

I'm a Democratic committee member for my city and county. Both are in bad shape, and the current reigning Republicans are demonstrably out for themselves and their party only. Dissatisfaction is high, and has been for some time. We had a great slate of candidates, worked our asses off, and had no success at all in last Tuesday's elections because SO FEW PEOPLE CARE ENOUGH TO GET OUT AND VOTE!!! (I'm still thoroughly disgusted, disheartened, disillusioned, and whatever other "dis"'s you can think of. No wonder I drink.)

[liberal N proud]

2. The Democratic Congress is doing everything they can...

To insure a close election in 2008

[Virginia Dare]

3. The country is still very divided..

it will be a close race regardless of who the candidates are, but lots of things could happen in the next year. Besides, I think my crystal ball is broken :)

[markbark]

4. success or failure?

I'm sure we need to talk to Mr. Freud and tell him his slip is showing, but I was taken aback by one phrase in your post: "this dysfunctional system of selecting the politicians who will rule us."

I don't know about you, but I am ruled by no man.
This is one lesson that needs to be learned by EVERYone; voters and politicians alike.
In the good ol' US of A, we are GOVERNED not RULED.

Another George learned this... the HARD way, about 230 years ago

I'm just sayin'.....

--MAB

[sam sarrha]

5. lets make a 'big' button,.DU VOTER TAXI ..i will be shuttling voters all day, we need enough taxi's

to have people to take em back while others are pick;n em up. no waiting!

GET the vote out get our name out.. win it

[OHdem10]

7. Right now, I believe the next election will be close and

fought with a vengeance all the way to the end.