What lesson did your generation or Dem sub-group learn the hard way?

[UTUSN]

This is suggested by bigtree's thread, http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9336870, wherein one post (O.K., *mine*) was, the would-be "teachers" will be learning his old lesson for themselves.


By "Dem sub-group" I mean, coalition group within the Dem party-- Civil rights, social justice, minorities, union, etc.


My view of my Boomer generation's Achilles' heel: We tended to think we were experiencing everything for ourselves, like new, as though nobody else in history had ever seen or been things before, like nobody could teach us anything.

[LiberalLoner]

1. I think in my generation - on the far edge of the boomers, born 60-70...

I think our generation got too complacent. We thought lots of issues were already settled and the fight was over - women's rights, civil rights, worker's rights, etc.

[stray cat]

2. If voters did not learn anything from 2000-2008 they are too stupid to learn anything in 2010

[old mark]

3. Personally, I learned that people in general are a lot less smart than they like to think.

I am sometimes just appalled at what "most people" actually believe...Probably why I'm mostly a hermit IRL...although I find a lot of good people here.


mark

[TexasObserver]

4. That we could not win national elections without centrist Democrats.

I was 22 and fresh out of the military when I became a McGovern delegate in the spring of 1972.

I remember when I first decided to support McGovern. He was facing a hostile right wing crowd in Florida while cameras rolled. McGovern, a decorated war veteran, was being taunted by some jerk, a man 20 years his junior yelling "I think you're some kind of communist!"

Senator McGovern replied loudly "well, I think you're some kind of idiot!"

I really thought we were going to win it. In those days, we actually stayed up and watched returns come in. They didn't project it the way they do now.

"Come home, America!" was a great speech by George, but we couldn't bring in the middle.

I was glad I supported him, but the lesson of 1972 was "we can't win national elections if our candidates don't appeal to the middle enough."

[UTUSN]

9. Really, you thought GeoMcG was going to win it? I voted for him, of course, but never thought that.

[Supply Side Jesus]

5. Unions will sell out other Unions to suck up to power

Our lodge/local President fired for organizing and advocating for a contract. We appealed to many local unions, and the central labor board. All but a few turned their backs on us. The board prez sold us out because of political aspirations for his and already elected brother. We were betrayed by so called labor friendly officials regularly. When the President got fired, no one stood with us.


President has a lawsuit in the Federal Courts going forward soon to depositions. We've back a Republican because of his strong Labor ties and with his "promise" to recognize us. Even if he doesn't, i couldn't care less. Our current administration rules by fear and coercion, and it couldn't be worse. I just want to see my local party dealt a blow to their arrogant command over all local politics. I want to see the indictments come out when "bodies" are unburied.

[KT2000]

6. Environment and health

I have learned that when it comes to reining in the pollutants that are hazardous to human health and especially the health of children - corporate profits win out. It does not even seem to matter that we have learned that chemicals that are altering fetuses resulting in life long disabilities. We are knowingly giving the coming generations broken lives from the start. The Dems have given some to help but by and large no one really cares.

[alsame]

7. That the American people will vote for idiots if they are

'likeable' enough. 1980 was a real shock for me, which is why I was so worried in 2000. And why I never minimize a crazy candidate's chances in any election.

[Klukie]

8. As a product of a 1970's / 1980's dysfunctional upbringing...

I learned the hard way about the fallibility of men, yet I still place my faith in men. Faith that they have the ability to do the right thing.