Why we should be somewhat cautious once we win

[nels25]

As a general rule we as Democrats are living high of the hog from a political standpoint.

Yes there is Hillary refusing to accept the inevitable of Barack getting the nomination, but to me after some careful considerations that is small potatoes.

As the economy continues it's down ward spiral and gas prices continue to escalate ($4.05 in Waukegan, Il this morning, $3.95 in SE Wisconsin) along with the Iraq mess, can any one make a legitimate case that McCain can win the presidency??

Did not think so.

But now here comes the fun part and by that I mean governing. Many here at DU believe that there is a pent up desire for this nation to burst forth toward a progressive nirvana. Sadly much as I may like to argue that to be true I have my doubts.

Consider that I have just had a long conversation with an old retired USN friend (LT CMDR) and due to changes brought about by Iowa state law (a Democrat Gov) and the IRS John is going to have fold the business that he has spent 7 years building (long tern financial adviser for public school teacher, he was sanctioned by the teachers union to do this, until the union decided it was lucrative and got the state legislature to change the laws to favor them providing this service and who cares if John's career is destroyed) at least that is the way he described it to me.

Now I suppose since he has voted pretty much GOP his whole life that we should be snide and say well he is an evil repuke that got what was coming to him. Maybe because I am his friend since the late 70's and have served with him I do not see it that way.

Any way he gets a year to shut down his business. He and Patty have 2 son's both of who are Army and both have been to Iraq twice (one set to go again). He feels that since he came from humble back ground (father died when he was young, got a ROTC ride to college after his sports one was canceled due to a sports career ending injury) served USN for 20, got out and finished up an MBA and started a business. What could be more American than that he asked me.

He and Patty own a home worth around 250k (not all that much in this day and age).

He wonders what he has done so wrong??

He honestly believes that taxes on him will go up big time (between him and Patty they make around 130k per year) next year.

He does not understand why because he choses to shop at a Wal-Mart super center for grocery's he should be considered an anti-american as he reads (this really upsets him because of his 20 years of active duty).

There are many more John's and Patty's out there and they may understand why the GOP needs a time out (believe it or not John does, he does not expect the GOP to do well, he does not understand my support of Barack, when I asked him what he is going to do, he sighed and said "stay home in November, why bother".) But if we as a party start making the same mistakes that the GOP has (taking the nation to far right, to fast) then we should not be surprised if a backlash develops.

Labor law changes will happen with card check and public service unions get the right to strike as I read is under consideration in the house. I do not have a large problem with card check, I do have some qualms about public sector strikes.

Just wait till you see the first Police/Sheriff Department of Fire Department strike. I have a hunch the possibility of positive press in that situation is going to be close to nil.
In fact it would not surprise me at all to see a wave of strikes sweep the nation, shortly after the election of a Democrat to the White House, this is not argue that they are not going to be for the most part justified (which I believe they will) but again I do not believe they will engender large scale public support in this day and age. We as a party will have to build it.

Here in Wisconsin we have a grocery store named "Woodman's" and in todays Milwaukee Journal Sentinel there was a comparison of goods bought at several local grocery stores. Woodman's beat the total by $50 yet in Madison they are beginning to be picketed like Wal-Mart. While to some $50 does not mean much to the John's and Patty's (not to mention my retired Chrysler worker friend Jim) it means a lot. Sadly some do not hold "Woodman's" or Wal-Mart" in disrepute, They will not appreciate be snidely referred to as sheeple (and you know it is done, because I see that term used all the time here at DU) These are people we must not forget as we govern.

We must take the time to carefully explain to these and all of the public why what we as progressive Democrats are proposing good and proper public policy, and we must not look like we are lecturing them (I hear that complaint so much in reference to Al Gore and to a lesser degree Kerry).

Govern with style, grace and some humility while nailing those who truly deserve it (Hedge fund managers come immediately to mind) and we hold on to our legislative majorities and the oval office for years to come.

Act rashly or come across vindictive and we hold our legislative majority to 2010 and the presidency to 2012.

If you think a Democrat who comes in after thrashing a GOP opponent and with broad support of the people who elected him can screw it up fast I give you Rod Blagiovich of Illinois, or Elliott Spitzer of New York with an honorable mention of Jim Doyle of my state Wisconsin.

The old comment goes: you can catch more fly's with honey.

Might be something to think about.