To me our stage-one strategy for destroying the Democratic party as we know it is simple: don't drive the pussheads out of the party -- drive 'em out of office.
Do you all agree?
Over the last month or so, as this site has started gathering a readership, I've noticed the stalwarts commenting here so far seem -- to my mind correctly -- focused on exposing the fiends now runninng the donkey machine, more than belaboring the rights and wrongs of the several issues du jour.
Now the two are linked, obviously. It's through the issues du jour that the fiends expose themselves, as they take the pro-forma, dying-swan flop, come nut-cuttin' time.
But everybody here seems pretty clear that mobilizing folks on the issues is not the problem -- in fact, we have the multitudes already with us, at least potentially, on the issues.
Nope, the problem is what to do about the knaves that vamp about claiming they're ready to lead us to the promised land.
Hence our mission, should we choose to accept it, and oh, we do, we do -- lets put the wrecking ball to this prisoner/victim holding tank of an electoral party.
Am i right? Eh?
I think most of us agree the strength of this whole line of cell blocks is in its core of " pragmatic promise breakers" and aisle-crossers the ones with the cold eye that flat out claim they'll deliver precisely what they and their donors are determined not to deliver.
You can identify the species by its song: "Help us retake power in Washington... help us retake power for... the people." I think we are agreed this illusion, this mirage hot dog always kept a safe three inches from our mouth, this shameless medicine-show conjury, must be wiped from the minds of all decent Americans.
And since we know stages are real steps, first we need to hack away the worst elements. Concentrate the attackon the party's most obvious stinkers. Knock 'em out of office, and by doing so, prove on the field of battle that the donkeys, at least as presently led, not only never can regain power but even more, never deserve to regain power.
Comments (10)
Here's one to think about:
Congress Attempts to Kill the "Third-Party Threat"
On February 1, congressional Democrats, led by Rep. Obey of Wisconsin, introduced a bill, H.R. 4694, that would end viable, third-party competition in races for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Posted by Uncle $cam | February 11, 2006 1:08 PM
Posted on February 11, 2006 13:08
Thanks, Uncle. Mr. Smith covered it recently, but it's reassuring to know others have their eyes on the same villainy. Mention of it reinforces, though that's not really needed, my agreement with the arguments and strategies presented here.
Posted by J. Alva Scruggs | February 11, 2006 1:51 PM
Posted on February 11, 2006 13:51
You've gotta' wonder why all the bleaters who were mad at Nader for not "taking it local" are now that their masters are obsessed with strangling local efforts at reform when such efforts have barely managed to stagger out of the playpen. Starvation, Alterman-esque abuse and darkness weren't enough. Get the ropes.
I asked the DP loyalists who I know are reading my LJ why they have nothing to say about this travesty. I'll let you all know if I receive any answer...
Posted by alsis39.5 | February 11, 2006 3:46 PM
Posted on February 11, 2006 15:46
Alsis --
Stupid question, I know -- but what's LJ? And where do I read yours?
Posted by MJS | February 11, 2006 5:02 PM
Posted on February 11, 2006 17:02
I'm guessing Alsis' LJ is a Live Journal.
The arguments in favor of building local have some merit, but the bleaters wouldn't recognize it. Consistent disobedience to the dominant agenda requires a lot of support and some sacrifice. "Difficult" Congressmen can be punished through their constituents in a variety of ways. It takes a lot to keep your representative honest as well.
Posted by J. Alva Scruggs | February 11, 2006 5:30 PM
Posted on February 11, 2006 17:30
Maybe this will seem like a platitude, but the whole local vs. global thing always seemed to me like a false dichotomy. The point is to be an opportunist in the best sense of the word.
Got some creationist nut on your local school board? There's one kind of opportunity. Got some stupid war bleeding the country white and creating three generations of deadly enemies? There's another kind of opportunity.
There are so many opportunities, really -- it's kind of an embarras de richesse.
Posted by MJS | February 11, 2006 6:56 PM
Posted on February 11, 2006 18:56
Not platitudinous at all! My affection for stodgy plodding is a matter of temperament. Triple redundant backups are my friend, but I wouldn't dream (well, I might) of insisting that the choice was between that and taking risks. In a sane political environment, I'd be teased for my button down shirt conservatism. It's like a dream come true to be reviled as a foolish radical when all I want is a little common sense. All I had to do was stand still.
Posted by J. Alva Scruggs | February 11, 2006 8:07 PM
Posted on February 11, 2006 20:07
JAS's comment rang a bell. I've always said I'm a Lefty by conviction but conservative by temperament -- as if that were a paradox. But in my heart of hearts I'm not sure that it is.
To be a conservative by temperament means that you think any change is likely to be for the worse. But... errrm... under present conditions, isn't that, well, true?
Posted by MJS (owner of many button-down shirts) | February 11, 2006 8:40 PM
Posted on February 11, 2006 20:40
No one has ever regretted having too many clean socks. Button-down socks, however, are the work of Satan, especially the ones with the little barbs sown into them. In other words, yes, change looks likely to be for the worse.
Posted by J. Alva Scruggs | February 11, 2006 9:18 PM
Posted on February 11, 2006 21:18
Stupid question, I know -- but what's LJ? And where do I read yours?
Not stupid. I was the one who posted "why" when I meant "where." :o J.Alva is correct: LJ = LiveJournal and mine is undergoing some tweaking right now. I'll let you know when it's ready for prime-time if you like. To be fair, my rants there are like my rants here, only longer and with the occasional pictoral interlude...
Heh. Button-down socks...
Posted by alsis39.5 | February 12, 2006 3:52 PM
Posted on February 12, 2006 15:52