Party Loyalty-why it's fading fast.

[The Backlash Cometh]

It's true that all politics is local. When you see the outrageous things that occur at the local level, especially in areas in Florida where government is in collusion with real estate interest, you begin to see why people get fed up with the entire political system. Any right-winger who voted for Obama because he was fed up with Bush, will probably vote for the Republican candidate next because he's fed up with Obama. Nobody can believe in any one candidate's platform for long. Either the platform keeps changing once the candidate gets elected, or because it doesn't change at all even though their policies are driving us over a cliff. The one thing that everyone wants, nobody can give us under the present chaos: Stabile jobs, good health and good communities.

That's the trilogy of good governance: Stable jobs, good health and good communities and nobody is getting it right. Especially in Florida.

If you ever listen to a Local Planning committee in a small town, eventually you'll hear a government official say, "It's grow or perish." Once local government decides to go after annexations or develop large commercial structures, everyone's rights will go out the window because government is no longer an honest broker. What we call bribes, they call inducements. They don't care who they run over to reach their goals, and lawyers will be there to help them divert the lawsuits that might crop up from those who catch on early. The local government who relies on this practice will cut deals with anyone or any organization who can cut off any public dissent. That's why they like these "partnerships" that government likes to call corroborations between the public and private sector. Essentially, private sector can do things that a government might have trouble getting away with, and the private sector gets protection under the umbrella of sovereignty that local agencies enjoy. Try exposing a City's corrupt practices. The state attorney won't investigate, and it's the attorney general's jobs to assist the City if there's a lawsuit.

So I propose that the only stable jobs created from these partnerships are derived from what is essentially racketeering. And communities are destroyed once people understand the oppressive situation they live under. Life becomes surreal. Adults might smile at each other at the high school football games, but after their kids graduate and leave town, life becomes quiet and secluded as they learn to trust no one.

Through it all, they see one recurring theme, especially in Florida. Democrats are as guilty as Republicans. That's why they don't see Obama improving their lives because Obama relies on campaign donations and the politically connected Democrats in the area are in cahoots with Republicans through real estate deals. What will suffer is party loyalty on both sides.

So, the sad thing to say is that we all know what the problem is, but nobody can figure out a way out since every agency that's suppose to help us has been compromised.

[xchrom]

1. recommend

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jannyk]

3. k&r

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. "I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever,

"I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else, where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all." Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 1789.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Addiction. Good way of looking at it.

[cherokeeprogressive]

5. Loyalty to an ideology is a million times more important than loyalty to a political party. n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. Especially in these times when the pocket rules the party.

[undeterred]

8. But having a common enemy surely helps...

Here in Wisconsin we had a focus on Walker and its been the best year ever for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. I've never been so proud of my elected officials here and of the people in my party.

There is a total disconnect in my mind between the national party and the state party. I love my state Democrats - the fight against Walker has brought out the best in everyone here.

Fighting against Obama brings out the worst in us, I'm afraid.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. Wisconsin Democrats rule!

If only Florida Democrats were as effective.

[hobbit709]

9. Loyalty is a two way street.

The leadership better remember that.

[LondonReign2]

12. Indeed

I remember circa 2008 a multitude of posts about former Republicans that were planning to vote for Obama, the most prevelent reason being "I didn't leave the (Republican) party, the party left me".

Kinda feels like that shoe is on our foot now.

[indurancevile]

10. knr: "the only stable jobs created from these partnerships are...essentially racketeering"

It's the same process used to create ghettoes.

Welcome to Ghetto USA.

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. Thanks for catching what is probably the most imporant line in the oped.

I just hope that Obama doesn't fall through any traps when he begins his work programs.