How are we ever going to change things?

[LaurenG]

My 82 year old life long republican mother has come to my house for a visit. We have been discussing the shrub and present republicans in office.

She is angry with *bush and the party "line". Our recent Katrina experience with the inept idiot in charge has soured her, she would like to have him fired. She believes she and her 91 year old best friend could have done a better job getting to New Orleans.

Now in line with the front page story about spineless democrats, we had a lively conversation last evening.

Her strongest and most truthful statement was, "who do you suggest I rally behind in the democratic party". One person cannot change a thing and as far as I'm concerned the democrats have only shown me what wimps they are". "Why would I replace an idiot with a wimp?"

Let the party have EARS to HEAR and EYES to see. The nation is sick to death of this mess and the democrats don't have a strong leadership committee to guide them.

Get the hell to work oh wimps, make us proud and rally the citizenry NOW.

[jody]

1. "change things?" The old fashion way, one vote at a time. n/t

[efhmc]

3. Now if we can just make sure those votes get counted.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Just what

I was gonna say. ;)

[LaurenG]

6. I guess my point was

if republicans are starting to turn and drop like flies we have a wonderful opportunity to lead this country out of this mess. The democrats must take this gift that the administration has placed in our lap and go. We have a window of opportunity to prove to the country that we are NOT wimps...

[jody]

8. I agree. Several that replied to your post recognize that each Dem

has a responsibility to speak out to those close to us who might not yet share our political views and convince them we're right.

[SheilaT]

2. At the national level

there are, for my money, very few Democrats I can personally rally behind. Those who think Hillary will be our savior in 08 are fooling themselves. Those who cling to the idea that Kerry or Gore can return and be our savior are naive.

Personally, I'm getting involved locally. I've run for office (and lost) and I'm willing to help those who run next year.

It's going to a long time before we can take this country back. The Republicans control the voting machines, and until that changes, I fear there is no hope we can get back in control.

So I don't know what to tell your mother. It's good she's seeing Shrub and those around him for the scum they are. Heck, maybe she should run for office herself. Something local, like city council or county commissioner. I bet she'd bring wonderful experience to one of those positions.

She's 82, but she's not dead yet, and if her health is good, she has longer life left that she may realize.

[okrzesik]

4. one person at a time

We are going to have to do this, 1 person at a time. We have to start at our local level and work up.

[newyawker99]

11. Hi okrzesik!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[LaurenG]

16. Yes welcome to DU, I didn't notice you were new

:hi:

[wildhorses]

7. at the grassroots level

one CANDIDATE at a time

[omega minimo]

9. Here is all you need

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4834034&mesg_id=4834034

A link to a ton of things to DU about Katrina and whatever else is on your mind (with a tip o the :patriot: to GPV!)

OB. Your thread shows up this morn as I scan the title page and wonder:

Why, the more dire things are, does GDP get more Loungelike?

And so many lamo run-in-circles subjects. Action threads are boring? :boring: Are we a bunch of spoiled brats? Or letting off steam?

Secondly:

Democrats need REAL DEMOCRATS to take the lead, in the party leadership and in the grassroots. I have also heard swingable (Repug or Independent or uncommitted) voters ask for the Democratic REAL leaders to reveal themselves....

BUT ------ WE HAVE A RESPONSIBLITY to quit waiting for anyone else to do the work for us. Mom could not be more wrong:

"One person cannot change a thing and as far as I'm concerned the democrats have only shown me what wimps they are"."

ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Katrina was the end of waiting for leadership. We MUST TELL our representatives in Congress what WE want them to do. Obnoxious? Hell yeah. :evilgrin: There are ways to do it respectfully; respectfully DEMANDING REPRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4834034&mesg_id=4834034

btw-- heard Congressman John Conyers on Ranti Rhodes yesterday. If we need one candle in the wind, he is IT.

:yourock: Congressman Conyers. THANK YOU.

[LaurenG]

10. You have every right to your opinion

However you seem to miss the point. I suppose nuance has no place in gd. How opinionated of you to decide that it has become the lounge. By the reply I would sense that you might fit in quite well with those who think they already know everything.


Hard core republicans are turning on the shrub. Telling my republican congress people anything is a waste of my breath/typing energy. Talking to those who are starting to sense there is a problem and asking our democratic leaders to have a plan to get on the same page and demand accountability would seem in order. It was a question to start a discussion stemming from a conversation from a republican. I am sorry for the misunderstanding, if that is what it was. I will get to the point rather than hint at it from now on.

Most democratic leaders are not doing a thing to right this problem. Other than, Conyers, Pelosi, Boxer, Dean and a handful of others we have no voice. This would be more of a plea to OUR leaders to get to work.

[omega minimo]

12. Why are you huffy?

Your OP was in CONTRAST to the (more frequent recently) Loungishness of GD. I suggested that frivolity may be in response to the severity of current events-- and a release.

Get a grip.

You are entitled to your defeatism.

IMHO self-fulfilling prophecies.....

[LaurenG]

15. Not defeatism, a rallying cry

I apologize to you if I misunderstood.

I feel a change coming and it ought to be good. Don't mistake my anger at my elected officials for defeatism, I live in SW Ohio. My elected officials agree with me about nothing. Some know me by name, clear to DC. I will circumvent them not beg them anymore. Too many very wealthy (republican)Ohioans keep them where they are, for now... Thanks for the response and clearing this up.

[omega minimo]

17. Oh. Ohio.

:cry: :hug:

[ourbluenation]

13. This concerns me too...we have no leadership. Where are they?

By all appearances there is no coordinated effort. My hunch is that they are all thinking too much of their own careers, and less on the mission. I'm sick of them and wish a real leader would emerge.

[spuddonna]

14. Tell her to follow Conyer, Boxer, and the others who aren't wimps!

They're out there! They're getting louder, and I think the Senators (other than Boxer) are hearing from their constituents that they want them to go out there and start screaming... now!