Why we can't sit back and wait . . .

[Veritas et Ratio]

. . . for the GOP to destroy themselves.

I've been visiting this website on a daily basis for almost two years, but have (obviously) rarely posted. But I feel now's the time for me to come out of the shadows and actually try to contribute something. I wanted to change my name to Veritas (Latin for "truth"), but that was taken, so I went with Veritas et Ratio ("truth and reason") instead.

Anyway, I was a registered Republican until 2002. I voted for McCain in the 2000 primaries and Bush in the general. It took me a year to realize it, but Bush certainly wasn't a Republican on either social or fiscal issues. I changed my party affiliation to have my vote in the primaries for John Edwards actually count. Then when John Kerry won the nomination, I slowly moved from ABB to strongly pro-Kerry. It was actually the moving "Going Upriver" that moved me all the way into his camp.

But all of this doesn't matter now, because by hook or by crook, Bush has gotten himself a second term. I've read a lot of posts here about how we should just sit back and enjoy the ride for the next four years as the GOP implodes, and honestly that's how I thought soon after 11/2. After mentioning this to a self-proclaimed "Yellow Dog Democrat" friend of mine, he set me straight that we cannot and must not think and act this way by reminding me of history.

Think back historically to Germany circa 1932/1933. The Nazis did not have a majority in the Reichstag, but Hitler was able to maneuver himself to become Chancellor because no one from von Hindenberg, von Papen, the Communists, Catholic Centre, or any of the other parties to willing to unite and stand up against him. They either thought one of two things: (1) they would be able to control him (von Papen especially believed this), or (2) Hitler's policies would bring himself down while they just watch and wait to be ready to pick up the pieces.

This particular post isn't about coming up with a list of suggestions for things that we should do to fight against Bush and the GOP, there's plenty of other threads about this. And I'm not even saying that the GOP won't tear itself apart with infighting and be so weak in 2006/2008 that we can come back. What I'm trying to say is that at least one example from history tells us that sometimes waiting for things to happen can lead to far worse consequences than acting, and it's something that we always need to keep in mind.

Just my $.02 that I've been thinking about for the past week and a half.

[laheina]

1. While hoping isn't a bad thing

in and of itself, I agree that we need to have a proactive approach to this.

We need to hinder the neocons.

We need to work on the party.

We need to build our grass roots surrogate organizations.

We need to get our ideas in the main stream.

And the recount effort should be another priority -- until the cold, bitter end.

Any other ideas?

[Vandopolis]

2. I agree

Yes, apathy is not an option here.
We can't sit back and twiddle our thumbs for the next few year. We need to buckle down and prepare for a fight. We should fight tooth and nail against anything that stinks of conservatism. Those theocrats in office are going to do all they can to pack the courts against those "activist judges" that "legalized murder"; not mentioning the fact those same judges are going to deny the rights of men and women everywhere with their anti- gay marriage plans. So be ready, you valiant defenders of the Constitution, we need to resist!

[newyawker99]

6. Hi Vandopolis!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[NuttyFluffers]

3. very true. besides, nothing prevents us from 'gentle goading'

if they are about to take a fall, i have no moral qualms giving them that extra push... i honestly believe they are that dangerous and the greater good demands that i actively 'encourage' this infighting.

[juliagoolia]

4. So what are you doing?

Did you join your local Dem club?
Are you taking on any projects?

What is your plan...
I found a cause and also joined up locally.

I will be working my ass off on the hate radio campaign, and also working with my local club. The only other alternative for me is to leave the country.

I can't do that, since damn it.. I was here first! HA HA>. My family was in the first VA Charter. My ancestors on the other side were here in the 1600's .
They fought for this country, and it would be a shame to not fight for it myself. A disgrace in fact.

So.. What are you doing? Just curious

[unblock]

5. just remember, hitler went from chancellor to wwii in just 6 years

1933-1939, invasion of poland. of course there was the anschluss and other expansions before that as well.

we have invaded afghanistan and iraq so far.

who will we invade next?

at what point will the world say, enough is enough, america must be stopped?

[KharmaTrain]

7. Welcome...Voices Of Reasons Are Truely Needed

I'm from the other end of the world of my orientation. I have been a lifelong Democrat and am extremely distressed by what I've seen happen in the wake of this election and the slow realization many have here as to how much has to be done just to get our voices heard, yet force this regime to moderate or listen to us and miles away from enacting the changes many of us common believe are important to reverse the right wing ramroding we have and are about to get.

The game that I'm not hearing discussed...and when it rarely is it is dismissed...especially on DU as either being defeated or "selling out"...and that's seperating ideals and special interests with the pure power politics of winning elections and creating a true elected majority that can't enable a Rove or whomever to manipulate elections and create "mandates" where none exist and the "in your face" attitude it has to any who opposes it. If there's one thing that hurts me about what happened is that Rove and his ilk said this was how they were going to take the election, and damn if they didn't do it. Time to get some real ideas on how to fight fire with fire or find Democrats marginalized and regionalized.

To hope for the GOOP to implode or manna to drop from heaven is what has created a lot of problems for Democrats. Instead of pushing what we stand for and how this really addresses the needs of the majority of this nation (especially in purple and red areas) we constantly play into the GOOP gotcha game.

A group of us moved off DU to discuss these issues and it appears several others have started to organize as well. Maybe that would be a better place to search than on here.

Good luck.