This is a genuine SOS.

[democrank]

I`m starting to feel like the ball in a ping pong match. This side, that side, this side, that side. It`s all about my mixed feelings toward the Democratic Party I`ve supported for over forty years and I`m really torn up about it.

Something has changed. Somewhere along the way we turned our party over to political consultants, corporate donors, focus groups, sound bites and leaders who favored the safe, vote-grabbing middle ground over upholding long-standing party principles. I can tell the difference between a Democratic leader who spent time inside a coal mine when no one was looking and one whose time is spent offering carefully crafted consultant`s words in a sterile receiving room. What I wouldn`t give for a brand new leader to pop up out of some unexpected place....a boarded up steel factory, an inner-city ghetto, high noon with the lettuce pickers, the laundry room in a fancy hotel, a homeless shelter. These are the people we used to hold our hand out to and lift up, back when we were an all-for-one-and-one-for-all party. Back before no Democrat worth their salt would have tolerated a DLC memo attacking anti-war activists or Paul Begala attacking the DNC chairman. Back when we would never have tolerated Leader Pelosi`s anti-impeachment proclamation regarding that vile criminal in the White House. We can milquetoast our way toward oblivion or we can exercise our power and demand real, meaningful change.

I truly love the people of the Democratic Party`s base. The people who never sold out and who won`t be intimidated by demands for compromise of our basic principles. Don`t let anyone tell you that you must settle for leaders whose actions you deeply oppose. If you feel strongly about your opposition to the Iraq War and the enablers who assisted Bush, stand your ground. You don`t have to sacrifice everything just to get along. We have enough of that in Washington already.

There are some Democrats I deeply admire, but most of them aren`t on the Beltway`s A-List. I hope with all my heart that new leaders will rise up, leaders determined to inspire with fresh ideas than acquiesce to those in power.

[dchill]

1. Yup. We are all tired...

of bullshit from ANY corner.

[PassingFair]

2. Support our Chairman.

He is in EARNEST.

Give to DFA.

Give to the DNC.

They are working for traditional democratic values and
REAL freedom for all.

[987654321]

3. Amen

If we don't change course soon, I'm afraid, we may just have to call ourselves Republocrats.

[stevedeshazer]

4. I could not agree more.

And I know who those leaders are.

You and me. And everyone else who reads your post.

Pass it on.

[zeemike]

5. Well they have us by the balls right now

And it is the system like it is that keeps it that way. it is ether the democrats who sell out and go after the NASCAR dads vote or the repukes who ...well you know.
In order to change the system we must do one thing...Make it a law that no one can be elected with less than a majority of the votes. If only that one thing were to be done never could a third party be responsible for the election of a candidate that was not popular.
There are other things that could be done to make it better like instant runoff elections but if we just focus on that one thing it would be enough.
You could then see a third party forming by splitting off the progressive from the mainstream democrats and no one could win without them.

[lumberjack_jeff]

11. Why is talking to a NASCAR dad a sellout?

Don't they work for a living? Don't they have an interest in prudent policy? Don't they hope for a better life for their children?

The biggest gripe I have about some Democrats is their desire to develop a purity test in which everyone who doesn't fit the mold is asked to be a Republican.

Perhaps you've noticed that Republicans like this.

Talking to swing voters is not selling out, failing to represent the interests of real people is. That's why I support Dean's 50-state, grassroots reforms.

But your "majority vote" idea has a flaw. Bill Clinton would never have been president.

[zeemike]

14. I am not dissing NASCAR dads

But the professional advisor's that tell the candidates what to do to get the most votes. And this is the reason why Dean has a 50 state strategy so that the focus and money is not all put to one group of people and the others ignored.

But you would be wrong about Clinton being president he would still have won because if there was a instant runoff the ones that voted for Nader or Perroe would have listed a second choice and I could not imagine that the majority would have been for Bush

[Usrename]

6. It appears to be the way that it is.

The same forces are controlling both parties. The descent into fascism without any organized resistance. The people must speak out. Before we can no longer speak.

[European Socialist]

7. It all started 30 years ago with two-tiered contracts--now we got some...

Dems voting for tax cuts for the rich. DINO is a fitting term for too many of them.

[mike_c]

8. Bravo!

What she said!

[bonito]

9. The pnac, neo con group

came from within the extreme right of the republican party, organized, and took it over.
they realized in order to deal with the largest opposition (the Democratic party), they used the divide and conquer tactic, enter the DLC, check out its founders.
I think we need to build a strong yet simple platform that will resist incisions by a dividing knife, by those who would try to divide us willingfully, or by those being played by the former.
Peace

[byronius]

10. All sorts of anthropology behind it. Herds and Fear and Cunning.

That's why Barbara Boxer's stand on the Ohio Vote was such a powerful moment for me. The. Only. One. I swear, that's how one really knows someone's true nature -- under fire. Can you imagine the pressure -- under the wilting glare of All America to Just Shut Up. Could I have done that? It's the instant hallmark of All Great Americans -- to stand on the good ground, no matter how bright the light is, or how mean the response.

This is my Senator, My American, My President. Herd be damned.

[democrank]

12. byronius, I completely understand that feeling. Herd be damned.

I`m in Vermont and am so lucky to have Bernie Sanders for a Representative. He always takes up for the "little guy" and stands his ground no matter what.

[byronius]

15. Bernie Sanders Rocks. His interviews with Franken are the best.

Common Sense Democrats with Spines. Love 'em all.

[specimenfred1984]

13. It's Fascism

How many people still have Verizon or AT&T regardless of them selling out to Nazis? How many people still go to Wal-Mart because they have no choice -- it's all they can afford? How many people still buy Exxon gas? How many people still invest with companies that hold Halliburton stock?

Until a large number of people in our society decide to quit supporting the fascists with their dollars, the fascists will keep their power. That means education and awareness and an ability to resist propaganda, propaganda that's extremely advanced at the gov't and corporate levels.

How many dems had to train their replacements when their jobs were outsourced and just went ahead and did it for the money? When people get so fed up that a majority wouldn't train their replacements, America will be where it needs to be. I don't have a clue when that will happen.

[jerry611]

16. What are the basic principles going back 40 years?

I mean I think over time the principles have changed with the times. 40 years ago this nation was in the middle of a civil rights crisis and a cold war. JFK was just assassinated, and the Vietnam war was also just over the horizon.

The politics back then were very different than they are today. Today we are dealing with different issues in a completely different set of circumstances. We have budget problems. We have immigration problems. We have war and terrorism problems. We have healthcare problems. So it isn't like you can take the position of the Democrats 40 years ago and apply it to today. It wont work.