You're Not Going To Like This, But Listen Anyways. Update X1

[Are_grits_groceries]

If you're thinking of staying home, you're thinking of making a mistake. Right now, the Republicans are making the next election a referendum on our current performance.

Performance they are deliberately dampening. I know we want results. I want results. I know we're angry at people in our party. But two years is not enough, apparently, to convince Republicans out there to give up.

We've gotten soft, complacent, maybe not on the issues, but maybe on what it takes to keep our power against the aggressive assault of a rival party that thrives on their opposition to us.

Our trouble, really, is that we're not going to get the chance to change the policy we need to change, if the Republican turn up in strong enough numbers and we don't. We need to match their stubbornness, not expect that they'll see the light.

If you're Gay, if you're battling for Healthcare reform, if you're trying to battle to see our intelligence and defense apparatus saved from the legacy of Bush, I guarantee you that failing to show up and failing to push people to vote against the Republicans will be a failing strategy in 2010.

I know you people want reasons. I know you people want a simple relationship of reward to action. I do, too. But we can't start the process of purifying the party, of enforcing the party will just yet, if we're facing the challenge we are in 2010.

The Republicans are trying to work this out in a line of circular reason, pointing to their wins as evidence that the country hasn't turned against them. They are trying to completely bypass any responsibility for their continued obstruction, for the failures they've never been repentant about.

They are trying to force you to give up first. Maybe you got good reasons to give up yourself, bitter disappointments. I know. I'm mad as hell we're not doing better. But if we decide we have the luxury of giving up here, things only get worse, because the Republicans have made this nothing less than a fight to escape the legacy of this last decade, the Decade from Hell.

This is about more than just our individual agendas, this is about the ability of liberalism and progressive politics to overcome the Republican's frenzied, fanatical opposition to any departure from the status quo. We're not in a polite philosophical battle here right now, we are in a very nasty fight for the future of this country, for the ability of our politics to triumph over theirs.

Yes, people are disappointed. They need to remember why they're feeling like shit, what party brought it about, and understand that any vote against a Democrat this coming election could grease the skids on the return to the very politics that put us in this terrible position.

We need them to perceive the truth about what's happening in Washington, and we need to understand it ourselves: The Republicans are united in their efforts to stall our legislation, and they are doing their best to leave us empty-handed coming into the next elections, including on healthcare.

We need people to understand that going back to divided government will not free us from gridlocked government.

We need those numbers on that link to go up. We need to realize that the big fight out there is still with the Republicans, and if we fail to win it, then no other fight, not for gay rights, not for healthcare, not for a foreign policy that make sense will get any easier.

We need to win the fights that let us win the other fights first. It's a bitter compromise, but the alternative may be a bitter defeat. America does not need another decade in the Wilderness. The Republicans do.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/11/27/20403/224

I am not happy with a lot that has happened. Unfortunately, the Rethugs are in complete 'NO' mode, and the Teapotters
are about in the land. Palin and Beck are running amuck saying whatever even when it crosses the line.

By staying at home or whatever, I also believe we will be ratifying the notion that the RW are the leaders in the US.

I would like to think that I could take a principled stand about Dem policies. However, these are not anywhere near normal times. A low Dem turnout would be seen as a sign that we can't fight or take a punch.

One election in 2008 no matter how momentous will not and has not been enough to route the opposition. I will vote what may be a bitter vote now. I am trapped into a bitter vote by not only the steps of the admin and congress, but also by the ruthless and lawless opposition.

At this point I am swayed more by beating back the TaliGop, the Paliban, and the Beckkks than by anything else. I live among the loons and see what they are about daily. However, they are everywhere.

I have long counted on the rest of the US to lead the way while we push onward from further behind. If you stop, we will never get through.

I thought I was running out of pushback and wanted to rest for a while on the national front. I should know from living in SC that it is not to be. You can never stop pushing back against the hate. You have to push back against the party too at times. However, you need to aim the pushback against the worst foe. IMHO at this time that is the Rethugs. NEVER let them up, and they still have too much evil energy to be ignored.

I may not be a happy warrior, but I am a mean one.

[Kingofalldems]

1. A big +1

[Le Taz Hot]

2. I've no intention of staying home

but neither does a "D" next to a candidate's name get an automatic vote from me. Votes are earned, not demanded and I don't owe the Democratic Party anything. If the Democrats want my vote, they better put up candidates that represent ME and not corporate America.

[Kingofalldems]

3. I voted for Connie Morella once--and she proceded to vote for Newty

to be the Speaker, as well as a good bit of the repub agenda. I learned my lesson.

[Le Taz Hot]

7. I refused to vote for Dianne Feinstein

who voted "yes" on the IWR, on the Patriot Act, on the Bankruptcy Bill and a whole host of other DLC-inspired legislation. I believe it was the Green Senatorial candidate who got my vote the last time. Luckily, my other Senator, Barbara Boxer, is a REAL Dem. and I'm more than happy to vote for, work for her campaign and commit money to her. See how that works? :hi:

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. There are several places where

more progressive candidates have a good chance to defeat the incumbent D and win the overall election. However, if there isn't someone who fits that bill, I will not leave my vote blank or vote for another party. I will make the bitter vote.

The challenge then becomes to make sure that in the next election there are a lot of good, strong progressive candidates in the primaries. If we have been left to choose between bad choices, it is our fault for not rocking the system earlier. We have to aim for earlier influence.

It is way too late now to be fighting that fight about bad candidates in this cycle. The choice is between sad and sadder in too many cases.

[Le Taz Hot]

12. More progressive candidates HAVE come forward

only to be systematically buried by the corporate-owned Democratic Party. Now, if the DCCC, DSCC, DNC & DLC will stay the hell out of it until the primaries are over and let the actual voters decide, that's one thing. But they don't. In far too many cases they have their corporate shill and the Party Machine will do everything in it's power to ensure their stooge is the nominee, completely running over other more progressive contenders. To then join in in that game by voting for the corporate whore nominee just because he/she has the correct letter next to their names just perpetuates the charade. It's never going to change until the voters stop playing in this all-too rigged game

I always enjoy your posts, AGG, but we REALLY disagree on this one.

[Are_grits_groceries]

17. I understand your point.

I won't give a dime to any national or state organization. They funnel it to who knows where and to lord knows who.

I think that supporting those groups has been the problem. I think a lot of people have watched and assumed something I quit assuming when I was potty trained. They assume that those groups back people who are Dems who are looking out for our interests.

It is time for every state to get very serious about mobilizing on the state level on down. If we moblilize from the bottom up, we will have decent candidates who can compete. Form groups and push back hard against the DNCYAs. Anybody who they support who doesn't stand with progressives, primary them. That has to be done differently from the Rethugs.

They support candidates who have 'Here be dragons" on their maps. I believe that the DNCYAs have moved so far right in a lot of cases, that there are good candidates that would appeal to people without hanging off the left edge of the Earth.

We took back the Congress from the Rethugs. Now we may have to beat them down again in 2010 with bitter votes. Then we need to prepare for 2012, and take back the Democratic Party.

If I thought there was time left to move in 2010, I would say go. I would use this time to prepare for 2012. The internet has proven that you can raise money on a large scale. Good candidates who know they will have support and money won't shy away. Just be ready to take incoming from everywhere.

If the progressives are in the game in the states, they will be in the game in the Presidential elections.:hi:

[Le Taz Hot]

22. I think we both agree on the principle, it's the method

that we disagree on. The problem I see with building from the state level is that, too often, the Chair and Officers of the state parties are purposely planted there by the same corporate whore Democrats we are fighting against. That's certainly the case in California and my guess is that it's true in most other states as well.

I'm more of a ground-up kinda gal and I believe that the Party Machine is less likely to interfere with lower-level elections. From there, of course, Progressives can move to running for high-level offices AND with a progressive track record and following, will be more likely to be able to fend off an attack by the Democrat Big Boys should one present itself.

For too long, we in the Progressive Movement have been told to "shut up and vote . . . NEXT time we'll get to your issues." Problem is, they NEVER get to our issues. It's the carrot they use to keep us coming back. The Republicans do the same thing with their voters in terms of abortion . . . they'd never ACTUALLY vote to ban abortion because they'd lose their carrot. And the fundies fall for it every time. What the Party Faithful fail to understand is that, by definition, Progressives are the group LEAST likely to follow along like non-thinking sheep so to hang their hopes on the "they have nowhere else to go" meme is pretty dangerous.

It's pretty simple, really. If the Democrats don't want to lose power, offer up Progressive candidates or, at least don't try to bury progressive candidates. :hi:

[Are_grits_groceries]

25. Oh, I also mean work up from mayor or whatever too.

I think you have to build there. Nobody in our state Dem party seems to see below Congressional level. That's why it sucks bigtime.
This state is so loony that we don't even register on any radar.:hi:

[madokie]

9. Just a question

does the pukes ever put up that candidate for you? I mean for you and not for corporate America

[Le Taz Hot]

13. Not so far.

The Republican platform is anti-choice which is a non-starter for me. When faced with a choice of Candidate A (R-Corporate Whore) or Candidate B (D-Corporate Whore) I'll either vote third-party or write in a candidate but I NEVER stay home.

[TheCowsCameHome]

16. +1

Agreed.

[yellerpup]

4. We mustn't forget who we are fighting for (and against).

Nothing is contributed by taking pot shots at each others. K&R!

[Laelth]

6. If only voting for Democrats constituted "pushing back" I'd be happier.

What I'm seeing is that voting for Democrats equals voting for fascism with a smiley face. That's not "pushing back" at all. That's joining forces with the fascists.

I'll still vote, and I will still vote for Democrats, but I will not be happy about it.

This administration better learn how to fight for its base, or it will lose its base, and it will deserve the thumping it gets.

-Laelth

[Are_grits_groceries]

8. See post #5.

We have to rock the whole system earlier in the primaries.

[vi5]

10. I'm not staying home but there's no way I can..

..realistically convince those less rabidly political than I am to bother. I'm a hardcore democrat, through and through and have never voted for anything other than a democrat and have donated time and money in my 25 years of voting.

But now I sit here with a Democrat in the white house, a democratic majority in the House and a Democratic supermajority in the Senate. And what do I have to show for the 25 years of work I've put in to get back to this point and the hope I had that it would mean something?

If I saw my party shooting for the stars but knowing full well that things would need to be negotiated down and that I'd only probably end up with 50 or 75% of what we wanted then I'd be fine with that.

But on every issue I see them all (Obama included) starting out from a middle to low point of "moderation" and "bipartisanship" and then ending up with something closely resembling nothing.

And yes, I've read all the posts that cobble together the few scraps we have gotten in an attempt to present them as a full meal that I should heartily rub my stomach in joy afterward. But I'm not stupid. These half measures are going to be fully decimated once we lose power, which given the shit performance of the democratic majority so far is inevitable.

So no, I'm not going to sit home. I'm going to continue to be a sucker and go and pull the lever for dems who don't give a shit about me and who give more than enough shits about their own power, their own money, and their corporate benefactors.

The most ridiculous part of this is that I'm the furthest thing from a firebrand hardcore lefty liberal. In the true spectrum of political debate I'm actually pretty goddamned moderate. I've just gotten tired of watching my party pulled so far rightward. And tired of the ones who haven't been pulled rightward having no voice or choosing not to use those voices for fear it will make their little village insider parties uncomfortable.

[DrDan]

11. I think it will come down to the Indies . . . lose them - or they stay home

and we lose seats.

And their support is waning.

[Greyhound]

14. In the first place, it has been two elections, so that is three years now that

I've had the same utter lack of representation from both parties, the major difference being that one of them claims to represent me while the other is openly hostile.

Secondly, just who the fuck is "you people"?

Thirdly, in three years soon to be four, the Democratic Party hasn't taken one step to counter the crimes and outrages perpetrated by the republik party, they haven't even tried.

I do remember quite well exactly who caused this/these disaster(s) and they had both 'R' and 'D' after their names and I see as much "frenzied, fanatical opposition to any departure from the status quo" in "my" party as the other. What I do see is a group of parasites blocking any liberal/progressive movement from inside the party.

The current administration has been given a clear mandate and majority in both houses and has failed to use it to accomplish jack-shit except of course to make sure their big bribes, excuse me, donors are well cared for.

American politics are still controlled by the republiks. They lost in 2006 and in 2008, the Democrats did not win. If the republiks do pick up much in 2010 it is completely and entirely the fault of the Democratic Party and their complete lack of competence.

So until you can tell me how to get rid of the entrenched party apparatchik and replace them with people that will represent "little people" and take care of main street, I'm sitting it out. I'll be voting 100% straight conscience and BTW, that does not include Harry.

[Are_grits_groceries]

18. See post #17.

I think the author is saying 'you people' to a large group who have been disaffected by various votes and policies. That would be a good deal of anybody left of center IMHO.

[Greyhound]

46. The machine is just so integrated from city level on up. Look at the progressive

candidates that have been shut out by the party, who put their boys up and lose the election. As long as the Democratic Party refuses to stand for anything it will remain up to the republik party to win or lose a given election, the Democrats will remain in the powerless position of "the other guys".

The Ford's and Emanuel's are not on anybody's side but their own and I won't go along any longer.

[TheCowsCameHome]

15. I'm don't think I'll stay home, but

certain Dems damn well better show some improvement in my state, especially the current governor.

They'd best not take my vote for granted. Some of these jokers are too used to getting a free ride.

[bread_and_roses]

19. This is what "we've" been saying forever - and how's that working out?

"We need to elect 60 Senators"
"We need the Presidency"
"We need an overwhelming majority in the House"
"We need to turn the Red States Blue - or at least Purple"
"We need to keep our powder dry"
"We need to gain the Independent voters"

Yawn. There's a word for performing a different action over and over and expecting a different result.

[Are_grits_groceries]

20. See post #17.

We need a new model. Work from the state level for the state and progressives. The 'we needs' from your post will work out doing that. At least, what your state needs and deserves could be foremost.

[bread_and_roses]

21. Look, I realize you are sincere, mean well, and I shouldn't have been dismissive

But seriously, there is nothing at all new about what you are saying - and btw, I've been working in those very local and state elections for long years, doing just what you say, and so have many others. I used to have a Red/Blue of the '04 election results saved - it was astonishing how much area that used to be solid Red was a Bluish Purple. Those long years of work achieving that by little nobodies like me on the ground were part of what gained us the Presidency and Congressional majorities, I would guess. So, how's that working out?

My point is simply that what you're giving us as a solution has been underway for years. As for its effectiveness in challenging real power, I point you to Lieberman/Lamont.

I don't have an answer, but I am not insane, and can see that the same old, same old won't get us anywhere. Whatever the "answer" is, if there is one, I do not think it lies in electoral politics. I seriously doubt we have time anymore for it, even if it did.

[HughMoran]

26. When you point to an example like Lieberman/Lamont

You are basically saying that because all the efforts only got us 95% of what we wanted, that giving up and letting the Republicans take over "I do not think it lies in electoral politics" is the answer. People like you are supporting the Republican retaking of the government and enslavement of my family. People like you are the enemy of Democrats and me and my family. I will fight people like you until I'm dead. People like you are WORSE than Republicans as you are acting as a negative agent to discourage Democrats from the inside. No mercy. "So, how's that working out?" Pretty damned good considering the alternative. How's the Republican healthcare proposal? When are the Republican proposals to eliminate DADT and DOMA? When are the Republicans going to pull out of Iraq & shut down Gitmo? When are the Republicans going to raise the minimum wage and work on a jobs package? Anybody who can't see (or refuses to see) the progress is deliberately rejecting reality. No mercy.

[bread_and_roses]

40. Oh, ROFL, I should be worried about "mercy" from you?

my word. I quake in my boots. If you're looking for "the enemy of ... me and my family," you might want to take a closer look at some of those very "Democrats" you're touting. I've done a lot of work for the Scraps and Bones Party for a long time, on the assumption that however bad, they were better than the Scraped Plate Party. I've paid my dues and don't need your "mercy." I could turn around and say that you, not I, with your faith in "the Party" are the enemy, but I won't. You mean well, and each has to find his/her own path. Good luck with it.

[HughMoran]

41. Laugh all you want

You can leave any time - nobody is forcing you to stay here.

[Raineyb]

42. So you're saying we should show "loyalty" to a party that can't be bothered to show any

respect or loyalty to it's own base?

The primary voters of CT made it quite clear that they were done with LIEberman and as soon as LIEberman went third party plenty of Senate Democrats actively worked against the DEMOCRATIC nominee to stump for LIEberman. So now after getting all three branches and not doing a damn thing since 2006 when you'd think having a majority would at least get us a slowdown of Bush policies, we're supposed to just give them another chance?

Why? So they can screw us some more?

Why should I vote for a party that refuses to bargain in a manner that will best benefit me and people like me (such as starting with single payer rather than starting with a compromise then compromising further?) Why should I vote for a party that tolerates and worse, kow tows to the corporate whores who have done nothing but gotten in the way of decent legislation? Why should I support a party that puts the banks well being over mine? Why? They've not earned my support and they've been saying for YEARS, vote for us we're better than the Republicans. Well they haven't done a hell of a lot to prove that and in many aspects they've gone along with and helped pass a lot of the odious bills that the Republicans got through. (And I bloody well didn't see a filibuster on every odious bill either. In fact with the Bankruptcy "reform" bill LIEberman voted for cloture knowing that the filibuster was the only way to stop the damn thing.)

[Are_grits_groceries]

30. I didn't think you were dismissive at all.

I have been treated dismissively by the pros in this state. They have dismissive down to a fine art. My relatives are dismissive of me unless I show up at family occasions and rattle their cages.

If we dump electoral politics, we are threatening to go the Palin/Beck route from the left. I have no idea how that would work out, but probably not well.

I say start from the ground up and at the Congressional level and dump the Dems who don't work progressively. When they turn around and look at who is paying the freight, it won't be the same old system. I think a lot of people aren't invested in either label or are disenchanted with them. They aren't thrilled with the Paliban either.

Don't dump the progressive label, just take back the meaning from the Rethugs and use it.

Everything is so off the hook now in all places that it is scary. People want something sane that they can hold on to that isn't a threat to them. Quite frankly, I think the Paliban and Teapotters scare a lot of people. Nobody is trying to reach the people who are trying to be heard underneath their shouting.

I don't think they want to blow up the country or tear it apart. They want something that sounds sane and somebody who will listen to them. Nobody is really LISTENING to a great many people. Palin and Beck pretend to be, but they are listening to themselves.

If we had people who would flood meetings and sit down with the disenchanted and independents and talk to them, I think we would hear a lot. If we hear them, they might listen to us.

[AllentownJake]

23. The people on here I'm not worried about

At the end of the day there is some sort of love and belief in the process (even if one has grown cynical) otherwise there wouldn't be posting on a political discussion board.

Nope, the casually interested, the people who generally sit out an election if they aren't given a reason to come out are who I'm worried about.

[HughMoran]

24. Momentum comes from a continued effort.

Until the Democratic party proves that it can sustain power for an election cycle or two, we will not see the type of progressive change we desire. This is a political reality that we can either face, or we can give up and let our enemy take back what we've already won - then perhaps they will feel emboldened enough to take the final step and enslave us. This isn't some sort of game where you just flip the board over when you have reached a pinnacle and start to lose ground again. So, I agree with the O/P - this is no time to give up, we need to be more determined than ever or we'll lose all that we have (and then some - can you imagine the havoc an invigorated Palin/Beck/Bachman party could wreak on this country? :( )

[DailyGrind51]

27. When African-Americans and Ted Kennedy supporters stayed home, we got Reagan!

Enough said?

[Le Taz Hot]

28. Then the Democrats had damned well better start

offering up REAL Democratic candidates or it's going to be Deja Vu all over again.

[Individualist]

38. +1

Those who vote for the lesser of two evils are part of the problem, not part of the solution.

[Hatchling]

29. I understand the reasons the author has put forth,

But this is the same damn thing we are told each and every election!

"Sure you gays and women and poor and disabled and disenfranchised are disappointed in us, BUT if you don't hang in there with us the Republicans will win and you don't want that do you?"

Well no, I don't WANT the Republicans in, but I WANT the Democratic Party to pursue the Democratic Platform vigorously. And dammit, that means if they promised me a fucking pony, they had damn well better put forward a bill for that pony and fight like hell to get it for me. If it means that I end up with a Great Dane instead, okay. (Hell, they might had won on the pony!)

But I don't want them promising me my pony and then putting up a bill that purports to give me a cat or a dog and then just gives me a hamster running frantically on his little wheel. I'm already on that wheel, I don't need the burden of a rodent joining me.

This seasonal argument is very persuasive. That's why the Dems bring it out every time the grumbling gets really loud down here on the lower decks of the Titanic Redux, they pull this speech out in a different flavor every time.

So I listen and I put off (just one more time) voting the party instead of my values.

Imagine if we had all stuck to our principles. The Democratic Party may well have become the bastion of liberal and progressive ideals in reality by this time, not just on their platform.

So, I'm resigned to the fact that things are going to continue to be miserable, may go even further down hill, but I am going to campaign and donate to the most progressive candidates available. If the Democratic Party wants my vote, they damn well better provide me with that candidate!

The enemy of my enemy isn't always my friend.

[Are_grits_groceries]

33. Right now with the complete instability

in a lot of places, that last holds true I'm afraid. I have never seen things so off the hook as they are now, and I have been involved for a long time.

Keep the Rethugs down in 2010, and take back the Dem Party in 2012. IMHO because of the economic conditions and other instability, in 2010 we have to still hang on. It is way different now than the normal just believe in me and I will help you shit.

The other side is fractured and are doubling down on the insanity. All bets are off if they gain any momentum.

[Hatchling]

35. Alright, I'll give you 2010.

But all bets are off in 2012 if I don't see some true progressive action. Fair enough?

[Are_grits_groceries]

37. Don't wait for 2012.

Start now in your state, and push hard for progressives in 2012. Try to galvanize the people now to move things. I'm not talking about counting on the same candidates who are there now. Push for new ones.

As far as I am concerned, all bets are off now for anybody who isn't moving progressively. If we hadn't waited so long, I'd push for more candidates in 2010. I'd still push the fools who are in there now with strong suggestions about counting on my vote anymore.

I will give them my bitter vote in 2010 because the Rethugs have moved so far right that I can't begin to vote for them. However, in 2012, if we haven't moved to put up a decent group of progressive candidates, then it is our own fault for the choices we are left with.

[tabbycat31]

31. I have no intention of staying home

I was very politically active in the last two elections--- even skipping 3 classes to campaign in an uphill governor's race which we lost.

I plan on doing it better in 2010 and beyond.

[mmonk]

32. I agree but I'm not going to vote for a DINO anymore because they

are responsible for our situation. They need to pay and they need to get the message. I will continue to support progressives and send donations to them but them only.

[spoony]

34. What leverage do we have as voters, then?

I agree with much of what you're saying, but how does continually supporting people who continually disappoint us send any message other than "we know you're the lesser evil and you know we know and nothing's gonna change"? What incentive do they have to carry out our will instead of their own--our emails and calls? Why should they care about those when we're going to just vote for them regardless?

[Are_grits_groceries]

36. Then don't support them.

As I said, we haven't rocked the boat far down enough in the process. We have to truly build groups that present viable, progressive candidates. I don't think a lot of us have. It will take a lot of work.

Right now in 2010, we are probably stuck with sad and sadder. I will give my bitter vote to sad, and make sure there is a better choice in 2012.

[bvar22]

39. One problem with your political strategy:

If we return these assholes to office, they will use it as a mandate to legitimize their Anti-LABOR/WAR Mongering/Trickle Down lurch to The RIGHT.

You can already see this everyday on DU.

"You voted FOR Obama so you must NOW support The WAR."
"Why are YOU acting so surprised?"

I'm too old.
If they want MY vote, they will have to EARN IT THIS TIME.

[Are_grits_groceries]

43. How will they earn your vote before 2010?

What has already passed is screwed to hell and back. It isn't just because of the Reps either. There was/is such a push for bipartisanship that I don't believe they got a coherent message from the admin. Maybe your Rep would have been gone anyway, but who knows?

Take health care for example. Your Rep wants to support the President or at least the party. How do you do that when both have been all over the map.

Two totally incompatible ideas met after the 2008 elections.
Obama wanted at least some manner of bipartisanship.
The Rethugs said no and began to like it.

It won't work because the Rethugs are fighting for their party to survive literally. Palin is much more a danger, but they don't know how to beat her. So they beat on the Dems and back Palin.

If I could sincerely find a decent progressive candidate who I could set up not only to win a primary, but a general election in 2010, I'd go for it. I want people who are progressive AND can win the whole thing. 2010 is upon us though. I am aiming for 2012.

[Techn0Girl]

44. NO ! Earn my vote now ! Or face 2010 alone Democratic Party

Stop the Mid East War(s) now.
Give me a public option now.
Bank and credit and reform now.
Jobs now.

You said you were going to do it Democratic Party - now do it.
Or else you can try to do it without me (and a LOT of others I suspect) come 2010.

[dysfunctional press]

45. i've lived most of my adult life under neocon rule, from raygun to present day...

a little longer isn't going to make any difference.