Where the Democrats are going wrong

[Telly Savalas]

Most of the bitching here about the Democrats failure to fight takes the form of handwringing over the yeas and nays of roll call votes on legislation that is destined to pass regardless of our actions. This misplaces the focus away from the real problem, namely the inability of our elected officials to offer their own vision of where our country should go. This lack of an alternative agenda perpetually keeps us on the defensive.

For example, several months ago Senator Kerry had in the works a bill to guarantee that all children had health care coverage. This was a great idea and precisely what I'm talking about when I say we need to offer up an alternative agenda, but the problem is that there's been silence on this for quite a while.

It can be argued that the corporate media suppresses our message, but it still seems as if we're not even really trying. Our pundits could be making nonsequiters about child poverty on the talking heads shows, and when the conservatives complain we accuse them of being afraid to talk about such issues. We could try to orchestrate publicity stunts. We could hold press conferences on the steps of the Capitol building. Or at bare minimum we could be promoting this alternative agenda on our goddamn webpage, www.democrats.org .

Things like health care, jobs, and the environment are winning issues for us, but we can't reap their rewards if nobody is ever talking about them. It's time to go on the offensive.

[Bandit]

1. Vision without action is a daydream

Action without vision is a nightmare.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. It's too early to present "alternatives"

Why? Because Republicans currently have no scapegoats. The public has only THEIR agenda to trash. If we put out our ideas now, we shift the focus away from their failed policy and put it on our own, giving them 17 months with which to fully bash our agenda. Not a good idea.

No, our version of the "Contract with America" needs to come around this time next year. Make the splash when it matters - near election time.

[bryant69]

4. I'd agree

Particularly since their agenda is proving so unpopular (the Social Security phase out and all). When your opponent is digging a hole for himself, don't change the subject.

That said we need to have some concrete Proposals for next year, for sure.

Bryant
check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Telly Savalas]

5. They'll always have scapegoats even if we sit on our ass.

Their primary tactic for diversion are social issues like gay marriage and abortion.

As it stands now the focus on their failed policies is very narrow because nobody is talking about issues like healthcare, the environment, or poverty. Part the job of our elected officals is to raise awareness on such matters.

If we only spend a few months every couple years presenting and defending our ideas, it makes it a lot easier for the GOP to attack them with their simplistic and mendacious talking points. It takes time to fend off their bullshit and clear the air. Unless we aren't afraid to say what we stand for, we'll never be able to challenge the assumptions conservatives have about the nature of society and government. This isn't a poker game where we need to hide our cards, it's a debate and we're right and they're wrong. If we're too chickenshit to defend what we believe, then we're gonna have an awfully hard time convincing others to believe us.

[MsTryska]

3. sounds like you've gotten the "Party of No" memo....

i'd much rather just rid the dem rolls of those who vote against our interests, and along witht he republicans.

[Telly Savalas]

6. What are you talking about?

I'm arguing that there's a lot more to fighting for this country than voting "no" on everything then sitting around passively watching the GOP dominate the national dialogue.

[MsTryska]

7. that would be the "Party of No" campaign

done by the republicans....as in..

all the dems do is sit around and vote no.

they have no ideas.

they have no legislation.

they have no class, blah blah blah.



right now, considering we have No power, i think all we should be doing is sitting around and voting No so as to diminish as much damage as possible.


especially when there is sucky ideas.

and vote out those who say Yes to said sucky ideas.