HAVE WE LOOKED INTO THE POLITICAL REPUBLICAN ABYSSES SO LONG IT NOW LOOKS BACK AT US?

[Samantha]

This race is simply too important for us to play the role of the shallow voter and vote for ANYONE based on race or gender. All of our Democratic candidates should be using the media to speak out against the atrocities of the Bush* years. Not only do we as a party have to highlight those Bush* nightmares in this race, we need to underscore our promise that when we as Democrats sit in the Oval Office, NO AMERICAN will drown under the roof of his or her attic because the United States Government fails to timely respond in a moment of horrific national disaster. No American will lose his or her home in the future Democratic administration due to predatory lending. No American will be ordered to war as a result of a pre-eminent attack. And that's just the start of the list, but it sets the tone for what this campaign should be attacking -- the Bush* record.

The United States of America was built on the concepts contained in the Constitution, and under the next Democratic administration, we will return the Country to those concepts. And in that vein, we do not torture. We do not invade the privacy of legal Americans who seek simply to live without the interference of its government.

I could write a better platform for a presidential campaign than what I am hearing today, and that's not my area of expertise. What I am hearing today reminds me of dirty tricks caused by a despicable Karl Rove during campaign years gone by, and that makes me wonder: is he in some manner under the radar pulling election strings to instigate these types of debased debate, or in the alternative,

HAVE WE LOOKED INTO THE POLITICAL REPUBLICAN ABYSSES SO LONG IT NOW LOOKS BACK AT US AS WE CAMPAIGN FOR OFFICE? Again to quote Howard Dean, we can do better than that.

Neither alternative is appealing, so let us hope this is a momentary lapse. Tomorrow our candidates will remember who they are and what they represent. In that vein, they will remember the tragedies we have all endured during the last seven years and promise nunca mas. That record of neglect, illegal wars, increased poverty, loss of jobs, devaluation of the dollar, totally diminished American prestige abroad represents who THEY are, and we are so not THEM.

And to the families of those who have lost their loved ones in the last seven years due to a lapse in responsible governing or simple war-mongering -- we are the Democrats and we believe in building up America through positive actions, rather than persevering through triumphing through negativity against each other.

Perhaps you disagree -- when in Rome .... When the candidates speak, is their voice your voice, are their issues, your issues? What do you think?

[santamargarita]

1. I agree, but what media?

The mainstream fascist pigs? Our candidates should repudiate the mainstream media. Our country hasn't had a media since that fascist pig, Regan.

[Samantha]

3. True BUT

do you feel somewhat ashamed at the participatory debate? Do you feel like you need a shower after hearing someone you truly have admired comment on these debased issues?

Al Gore did once say this administration brings out the worst in us, but I feel this campaign is contributing to that as well. We sound like them.

The salient issues to me are the Katrina debacle, the war and the economy. I have several secondary issues. When I listen to the debates and the campaign, that's what I would like to hear addressed. I feel these issues are falling by the wayside and the debasement is the cause of that. Do you agree or disagree?

[patrice]

2. Some of us are forgetting who we are. Each of us here on the DU should be

proactive about this. We should remind offenders of our better natures. They should spend their time and wit it outdoing one another in clever criticisms of her BuShitler.

[Samantha]

4. Thank you, that's exactly my point

We have forgotten we are not THEM, and in that process, which continues as I type this, our issues are not being addressed. What is the solution?

[patrice]

5. When someone sees bad things happening on DU they should search for

certain other users, whom they have previously identified as peace makers, go to them if they are on the board at that time, and ask them to come to the problem thread and join in a team effort to try to mitigate the harm that is being done.

[Samantha]

7. It would indeed take a brave soul to voluntarily jump into some

of these threads for the purpose of simply trying to make the peace. Thank you for your innovative idea and for responding. Have you tried this?

What issues do you want to see addressed in this campaign?

Sam

[patrice]

8. No, I haven't tried it because I don't read unpleasant threads.

I usually leave them - can't stand the fighting, but maybe I will try it sometime. I can think of a couple of members who might try to help.

Issue: ALL of our problems grow out of Election Fraud. The solution to Election Fraud is paper ballots, marked by hand, and counted in public on a national voting holiday (or holidays if you include a weekend). This solution should also include publicly financed campaigns and fair political use of all public broadcast resources and of the internet.

[Samantha]

9. You are the FIRST person to define your issue

Thanks you. Since many of us believe election 2000 was thrown, and have our 2004 suspicions about Ohio, I think many would agree that Election Fraud is in fact one of our worst problems. If Bush* had not found a way to sit in the Oval Office, despite the intent of the voters, all of the problems which have resulted from the neoconservatives goals, including pre-emptive war, would not have ensued. So I think you have hit the correct mark with your response.

[TooBigaTent]

6. Exactly. I would be more willing to be enthusiastic about "our" candidates if

they would take this tact, for their attack.

If only.

[Samantha]

12. What issues do you feel the candidates should

be discussing more?

[niceypoo]

10. The republicans are beginning to look rational

compared to our candidates and their supporters. Now THATS a scary thought.

[Samantha]

11. "Scary" is an understatement

How in the world did we get here?

Thank you for your response.