I Do Not Like "The Big Tent". It Is A "Big Loser".

[DistressedAmerican]

Whenever, there is a Lieberman or some other fucking corporate hack (I could list many more but, I'll refrain) in the party, you always hear someone defending them with "the big tent". They scream about how we progressives are supposed to value diverse opinions in the party even when they are not progressive themselves. Blah, blah, blah.

I even hear that shit from repugs that want to promote the very divisions that tent holds. They get it better than we do.

What we need it the same kind of message discipline that the repugs practice. Their message is always wrong. But, it is always tight. They sound like they have a plan even if it is a bad plan. People respond to that.

People object to media and others saying that the democratic party does not have a coherent position on the major issues. That's he "big tent" at work. Thousands of dems with thousands of different plans and priorities.

I would be so freaking happy to see for just three months a hard focus on ONE message.

I am done valuing diversity of opinion at the cost of us winning and being in a position to have actual programs and policies put in place. We need to get on the same damn page and fast. People that do not want to get on board with that message like Joe, need to find another home. There is plenty of time to debate among ourselves when we are back on top.

We need to destroy these assholes come November and right now we have no discernible focus or message to get that done. I know people saying that pisses a lot of folks here off. But, I see it the same way. Impeach/don't impeach. Get out of Iraq/stay in Iraq. Fight hard/try not to get called obstructionist. Filibuster/don't filibuster. There is no common theme here but division and lack of a plan.

I fear that many just assume that people will vote for change and put us in. That is not going to happen people. We need to take a real fight to them in November or we are dead and this criminal administration walks unpunished.

We need to get control NOW or it is too late. The "big tent" meme and practices are not helping that goal in any way. It just makes us look divided and weak.

The party IS NOT big enough for the DLC and progressives to both fit. DLCers had their chance and failed miserably. Now, I say we focus on a real progressive message for a change. Offer America something really different for a change.

No more war apologists, no more corporate hacks, no more repug-lite.

Just focus and fight like our lives depend on it. Cuz' they do.

Onward to November.

My two cents...

[MisterP]

1. it's like those neat-o rules for Repubs sleeping on the Dem couch:

you can watch the tigers dance, but we won't let you be the ring master

[corkhead]

2. there is another name for "big tent" Lowest. Common. Denominator.

[bloom]

3. The DLC definitely confuses the issue

When everyone else agree on this, this and this - and they come along and pretend that you can BE against abortion rights and that it won't bother anybody - or that anti-war people are unpatriotic and other such rot.

[Cleita]

4. We need a parlaimentary system that allows for more than

two parties. People can join the party closest to their beliefs. In order to get a majority for passing legislation they have to create coalitions. So maybe moderate to left coalitions will band together for unity for certain programs like universal health care. Or the extreme Rwing might want to pass some laws to privatize Social Security, but they would have to convince more moderate Rwingers and centrists that it's a good idea to get them to vote with them (unlikely) but you see how that works.

[DistressedAmerican]

5. The Two Party System Is A Curse.

I do not know why we keep buying into it as a nation. It really does amaze me. You'd think if nothing else there would be enough people dissatisfied with the big two that we'd get a third. I guess people just can't deal with three whole choices. Too much work living in a democracy like THAT!

[Cleita]

6. Another choice would be an Athenian style Democracy.

Every American would have to give two years to serve on the Senate or other public office if not the Senate. There would be no executive branch at all. It would be like doing jury duty. You would be selected by lottery to serve once in your lifetime for two years with pay of course.

Could this work? I know there are a slew of details to iron out, but could a real democracy be a solution to our problems?

[DistressedAmerican]

9. I cringe a bit at the notion of just anyone making the laws.

There are a lot of morons that should not get a term. Come on. Senator Rush Limbaugh? Legislating is a highly techinical process. There are a lot of high end issues that should only really be hanfdeled by folks with the right skills, education and background.

I think a parlementary system is the best route. Give minorities a say. Make them pander to us to get anything done. I think the whole winner takes all crap is horrible. It guarnatees that at any given time up to 50% of the population can be totally disenfranchized.

Then there is the fucking electoral college and our terminally fucked up primary/causus system. One if a total anachronism meant for days when it took three weeks to hear the president had been shot. No winner of the popular vote should EVER not get the job that poeple voted them to have. It is totally bogus that such a possibility even exists.

The primaries/caucuses should be revised so as not to give a totally disproportionate say to Iowa and New Hampshire ever time. That pisses me off. Why do they get the preferential treatment (and I ask that with long standing roots in Iowa? The winner in those states almost always goes on to win. People like to vote for poeple that won before./ Makes them feel included or something. Get rid of those two issues and we'd be half way there if you ask me.

[BeHereNow]

7. Hi Sweetie- glad to see you back...

Remember, don't take the bait-
We need ya.
BHN

[DistressedAmerican]

8. It appears that my concerns are being addressed.

I doubt it will be a problem from here on out.

Overall, I'm feeling a lot more zen these days. I've had some time to ponder.