Don’t even get me started on the Supreme Court and Citizens United, the Koch Brothers’ factions, the insane-to-the-point-of-hilarious-if-you-find-that-sort-of-thing-funny gerrymandering, corporate vs. social welfare, insurance-mandated health care, tax breaks for the rich, the attempted murder of public education, the killing off of unions in order to keep labor poor and grateful for just any job, the ongoing crusade to keep women barefoot and on their knees, the effort to pretend hungry kids aren’t really hungry–not to mention the sanctioned takeover of our airwaves so that only the rich can survive to tell their stories. All brought to us by the Republicans.
We’re just under a month away from the elections and once again, sorry to say, we Democrats have failed to make our case. We have a platform that says the major focus for Democrats is, very simply, to ensure equality, to lift up the lower and middle classes, to keep our bodies healthy and our environment safe, to never be Republicans.
We’re humanitarians (definition: concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare), which means we’re liberals, and we used to be proud of it. Not anymore. We’ve become pathetically careful about blowing our own horns lest someone think we’re bragging. Or smug. Or condescending. Or–oh my God–elitist. We fall for that shit every time.
We’re such suckers. No wonder so many people have lost respect for us. During the Reagan years the Republicans deliberately built the lie that it’s bad to be good and damned if we didn’t fall for it. Even those of us who knew better. (One small example: Some of us dropped the word “Liberal” because people were making fun of us. A dark moment in our history, but one I won’t forget.)
Suddenly the Teflon president could do no wrong and anyone who went against him–including the last of the investigative press–were deemed doltish. Arrogant. And just not nice. So because we got suckered into feeling bad about doing good works, they got away with demeaning anyone on welfare (welfare queens in Cadillacs), with calling ketchup a vegetable in order to save money on poor kids’ school lunches, with convincing workers they didn’t need unions and high wages are bad for us all, with starting the ball rolling on outsourcing and offshoring, and with moving the country rightward when moving to the Right meant moving backward, not forward.
Their buddies in the House and Senate know that as long as they keep the hot-button issues like abortion, religious “persecution”, gun rights, and gay marriage going, they’ll get the votes. The money will keep rolling in for those so-called public servants, they’ll get to keep their taxpayer-paid jobs and, if they stay in office long enough, they’ll get–courtesy of us–a dandy lifetime retirement package, safe from the vagaries of depressions, recessions, or greed. No matter what they do to us, they’ll have it made and we’ll go on paying them. For the rest of their lives. Knowing, of course, that they will never return the favor. Because we’re suckers and they’re not.
We Democrats are here to put working people first. Our job as Democrats is to work tirelessly to keep people safe, to build a strong middle class, and to put the people who ruined our economy out of business. And if we can’t bring ourselves to do that, we should at least have the good sense to stop rewarding them.
I’m worried about my party. Our representatives aren’t listening to us. Some Democratic politicians are breaking away, on the lookout for better friends. I, on the other hand–I’m on the lookout for better politicians. Politicians are elected to represent the party that supports them. We, the Democratic voters, are the party. Our politicians are temporary and expendable. Our party is, or should be, forever.
I’ve been a Democrat for multiple decades–so many, you could say I’m entrenched. So when elected men and women who say they’re Democrats don’t act like Democrats, I take it personally. I know what I am and they’re not it.
Democrats are not Republicans. Democrats lean liberal. (Republicans, you might have noticed, don’t.) Democrats are Democrats because we believe in people, not corporations. Corporations are not now and never have been people, and Dem politicians should be screaming their heads off over that one. Five members of the Supreme Court have opened the doors to allowing those with the most money to own our country. That’s nuts. We Democrats are the only ones who might be in a position to change that, but we have to win elections first.
So listen up, politicians: If you don’t know (or don’t care) that being a Democrat means you’re expected to lean liberal/progressive, then do us a favor and get out. Stop pretending you’re one of us. We have work to do and you’re not helping. We need universal health care, strong unions, smooth-running social programs, massive infrastructure funding, the dehumanization of corporations, and an end to deadly trillion-dollar wars.
The people who caused this mess need to be held accountable. If you think nothing can be done, you’re not one of us. We don’t need you. We need tough people who don’t shrink from stupid insults or fall for false promises. The Republicans are our enemy and they’re comfortable in that role. We can’t reason with them or force them to compromise, because they like things the way they are. They get paid big bucks to keep it this way. And honestly, Dems, six years of unrelenting obstruction and recalcitrance should be proof enough that they’re serious about wanting to destroy us. What else could they possibly do to convince you?
So just stop, please. Take a breath. You’re Democrats. Act like you’re proud of it.
NW10 October 4th, 2014 at 17:38
Ramona, I’ll direct you to Milt Shook’s blog at pleasecutthecrap.com, and he explains why we have to support ALL Democrats, even the ones you complain about. It’s been this nonstop bitching and moaning about Democrats from “progressives” such as you that has effectively made the Republicans more powerful than they should be. He’s a heck of a lot more knowledgeable than you’ve attempted to be in your short rant, mainly because he’s been working in the system for 42 years.
Anomaly 100 October 4th, 2014 at 17:49
Ramona isn’t a newbie and I think she’s correct. I’m not going to support just any old politician who puts a D after his or her name. I want a better country. I want to move forward, not backward. To do this, we need to right people in office.
I’ve been a fan of Ramona’s for years. She’s an amazing person and her passion is unstoppable.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 18:55
Thank you, Anomaly. That means a lot.
Anomaly 100 October 4th, 2014 at 19:16
I absolutely loved your post. It needs to be shouted from the rooftops until November.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 20:22
I’m all for shouting. Shouting is good.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 18:54
NW10, I have never not voted Democratic and I’ve been an activist since 1958. That makes 56 years, not that we’re counting.
I was around when Democrats were proud to be called liberals and nothing scared them. There wasn’t a single Democrat who didn’t fight hard for unions or for the disadvantaged. I want that back because I believe it’s the only way we can win.
We tried it the other way–by encouraging pretend Democrats just so we would have someone running as a Democrat, and by shying away from any courageous dissent because, as Harry Reid is so careful to remind us: “We don’t have the votes so why waste our time?”
Bullshit. Put everything to a vote so we can show those hypocrites up for what they really are. When we back down we’re seen as weak and the Republicans, after laughing uproariously at how easy we are, swoop in for the kill. That has to stop.
Oh, and by the way, I don’t know what the hell a “Progressive” is. I’m a Liberal and proud of it. And I’m sick of politicians running as Democrats when they don’t have the passion or the commitment to understand and follow our philosophy.
But I’ve already said that.
ProgressiveGenX October 4th, 2014 at 21:03
Just throwing it out there. When people say “progressive” they mean economic progressivism. The economic stuff: income inequality, minimum wage, strong enforcement of regulations for Banks, Wall Street, corporations, a better welfare system, ending privatization. When people say liberal, they mean social issues: abortion and birth control, legalization of weed, LGBT rights. Just an opinion, most progressives care about tax and spend, liberals more about freedom from government intrusion.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 21:30
Not quite. Liberals have always believed in strong government. We know we can’t get anything noble accomplished without the government’s money and power. Our goal is to remedy domestic social inequities that are most economically harmful. We believe in strong unions, feeding, housing and clothing the poor, and getting rid of giant banks and giant insurance companies. Most of us belong to Credit Unions. And try to stay healthy.
It’s libertarians who want the government out of their lives. They’re the ones who don’t want to pay taxes, and have spent years pressing for the legalization of marijuana.
You may be right about Progressives. I’ve never known where Progressives stand. I thought they were Liberals, but what do I know?
ProgressiveGenX October 5th, 2014 at 08:51
I agree with you. I consider myself a liberal. I just feel the term has been polluted by corporate Democrats. Remember we are dealing with Republicans. Mostly religious nitwits. The term “progressive confuses them. If they say liberal they usually mean abortion, gay-marriage.
OldLefty October 5th, 2014 at 09:06
I think the term “progressive” started with Teddy Roosevelt and the Progressive movement.
But allow me to share a post from a comment section that I saw long ago, (I don’t even know from where now), about whiney lefties;
“There are, I am convinced, people within just about any movement who cherish defeat.
Defeat allows them to nurse a grudge, allows them to burnish their vanity and pride at their own pristine moral righteousness, without any of the messy compromise and painful slogging
through the trenches that actual victory brings.
We see this all the time when at activist meetings,
where there is always some guy who wails loudly about the wicked immorality of the world, about the corruption of the movement all the while implying that they alone are the valiant pure soul who stand uncorrupted.
Of course, these same people can be counted on to
never man a phone bank, never walk a precinct, never send a donation.
They are the political equivalent of the 101st
Chairborne, the chickenhawks who lustily declare
war from their moms basement.
F*ck, I am as pissed at Obama for half a dozen things
as well; but when I look at the political landscape he is head and shoulders above anyone else, and I am working my ass off doing everything in my power to get him re-elected.
If someone wants to stand tall and preen about their
political purity go ahead- but just please get the f*ck out of the way of those who want to get sh*t done.”
greenfloyd October 5th, 2014 at 23:01
I am glad you brought up Obama, who is not on the ballot, btw, and will never be again. Unless we get rid of this stupid 22nd Amendment and “term limits.” I mean the man is obviously qualified, well-seasoned and still young enough to lead our nation for at lest another term. Instead we’ll toss him on the scrap-heap of history and cross our fingers someone of his stature and character, intelligence and integrity will replace him. That is a far-flung hope, IMHO.
jasperjava October 4th, 2014 at 21:30
I think “liberal” and “progressive” are pretty much interchangeable, and I have no problem with either label.
I don’t see “progressive” as essentially an economic label. I see the expansion of human rights, minority rights, women’s rights and gay rights as “progressive” causes. Liberalism is a big tent, and can regroup people who self-identify in various ways.
It’s only by forming alliances and working together that we can defeat the right-wing plutocrats and their gullible minions.
ProgressiveGenX October 5th, 2014 at 08:45
I don’t mind either label for sure. Just me personally, the corporate Democrats have polluted the term “liberal”. Also, I’ve noticed when people use the insult “liberal” its a social policy. Abortion, gay marriage.
jasperjava October 5th, 2014 at 11:42
There’s also the phrase “tax-and-spend liberal” that has been popular on the Right since at least the 70s.
I always hated that hypocritical phrase. Conservatives spend more than liberals do, especially on useless “defense” projects. The main difference is priorities.
ProgressiveGenX October 5th, 2014 at 20:51
Agree.
greenfloyd October 5th, 2014 at 00:59
Since you brought up “legalization of weed” I’ll chime in. It’s one of the sore spots I’ve had with fellow Ds for a long time. To this day, lack of leadership on “weed” in particular, and draconian drugs laws in general are sad, outrageous examples of how far we have wandered from our roots in Civil Rights and Voting Rights.
ProgressiveGenX October 5th, 2014 at 08:39
I agree. Some Democrats still believe in the “war on drugs”. The results are in. Tons of wasted money, un-necessary incarceration, the prison-industrial complex. True Ds would see the folly of this.
uzza October 4th, 2014 at 21:04
–Said, unfortunately, by an actor on a TV show instead of one of our representatives, but still.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 21:20
That’s what I loved about “West Wing”. They knew how to be Democrats. Josiah Bartlett was the greatest president ever. Of course, he didn’t have to deal with these real-life Republican devils. And every word he spoke was scripted, but still. . .
Tammy Minton Haley October 4th, 2014 at 23:45
…the real world isn’t quite so beautifully scripted…
jake November 3rd, 2014 at 21:48
ELIZABETH WARREN Liberalisms best hope.
David Lloyd-Jones October 5th, 2014 at 08:32
Poor sad little Ramona,
You write “I was around when Democrats were proud to be called liberals and nothing scared them. There wasn’t a single Democrat who didn’t fight hard for unions or for the disadvantaged. I want that back because I believe it’s the only way we can win.”
You were around, hunh? But “NW10, I have never not voted Democratic and I’ve been an activist since 1958.”
That’s not being around. You’re just one of the simpering little lumps who put Bush and Cheney in power.
-dlj.
jasperjava October 5th, 2014 at 12:05
“I have never not voted Democratic” is a clumsy phrase, a double negative, but it means “I have always voted Democratic.”
You can fault Ramona for her grammar here, but you can’t accuse her of helping B*sh and Cheney get “elected”.
Ramona Grigg October 6th, 2014 at 00:39
Yes, I could have worded that better. Ha! He can accuse me of bad grammar and even of being a simpering little lump (I’m not sure what that is but I think it must be bad) but helping Bush and Cheney get elected? Them’s fightin’ words.
jake November 3rd, 2014 at 21:47
Gotta remember Ramona, Bush Cheney did not win in 2000,SCOTUS handed it to them. In ’04,they stole it when they challeneged a few thousand votes in Ohio,that were tossed out for no reason by the Republican Ohio secretary of State.
Ramona Grigg October 6th, 2014 at 00:47
Other than the personal insults, I didn’t understand a word of what you said here. Care to explain how I helped put Bush and Cheney in power?
What’s your point?
David Lloyd-Jones October 6th, 2014 at 00:52
Every vote counts, and I assume that all sane and decent people voted against Bush and Cheney.
But you’re right: I don’t know whether this includes you.
-dlj.
Ramona Grigg October 6th, 2014 at 07:25
So am I still a simpering little lump? ;)
David Lloyd-Jones October 6th, 2014 at 12:34
No.
I am. I goofed. I misread that stupid double negative.
Sorry ’bout ‘dat. (Really: apologies!)
Cheers,
-dlj.
jake November 3rd, 2014 at 21:43
Simply put,progressive is the word liberals have used since Republicans made Liberal into a curse word. Shows how Dems have wimped out over the years.
Actually a progressive is someone who wants to see society move forward.Toytal opposite from Conservative.
Tammy Minton Haley October 4th, 2014 at 23:39
i’m afraid i’ll stand in the corner with you, love…i agree…
enough with the in-fighting! it is why we consistently screw up a good thing!
how about focusing on TURN OUT–i’ll be totin’ two brand-new voters to the polls this november–one’s 36, the other’s 29, and neither has ever cast a vote! i’ve been working on’em all year–and, i got’em!
there are more of US, than there are of THEM–we just have to SHOW UP!
(((NW10,PATRIOT! ✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ))) October 4th, 2014 at 17:38
Ramona, I’ll direct you to Milt Shook’s blog at pleasecutthecrap.com, and he explains why we have to support ALL Democrats, even the ones you complain about. It’s been this nonstop bitching and moaning about Democrats from “progressives” such as you that has effectively made the Republicans more powerful than they should be. He’s a heck of a lot more knowledgeable than you’ve attempted to be in your short rant, mainly because he’s been working in the system for 42 years.
Anomaly 100 October 4th, 2014 at 17:49
Ramona isn’t a newbie and I think she’s correct. I’m not going to support just any old politician who puts a D after his or her name. I want a better country. I want to move forward, not backward. To do this, we need to right people in office.
I’ve been a fan of Ramona’s for years. She’s an amazing person and her passion is unstoppable.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 18:55
Thank you, Anomaly. That means a lot.
Anomaly 100 October 4th, 2014 at 19:16
I absolutely loved your post. It needs to be shouted from the rooftops until November.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 20:22
I’m all for shouting. Shouting is good.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 18:54
NW10, I have never not voted Democratic and I’ve been an activist since 1958. That makes 56 years, not that we’re counting.
I was around when Democrats were proud to be called liberals and nothing scared them. There wasn’t a single Democrat who didn’t fight hard for unions or for the disadvantaged. I want that back because I believe it’s the only way we can win.
We tried it the other way–by encouraging pretend Democrats just so we would have someone running as a Democrat, and by shying away from any courageous dissent because, as Harry Reid is so careful to remind us: “We don’t have the votes so why waste our time?”
Bullshit. Put everything to a vote so we can show those hypocrites up for what they really are. When we back down we’re seen as weak and the Republicans, after laughing uproariously at how easy we are, swoop in for the kill. That has to stop.
Oh, and by the way, I don’t know what the hell a “Progressive” is. I’m a Liberal and proud of it. And I’m sick of politicians running as Democrats when they don’t have the passion or the commitment to understand and follow our philosophy.
But I’ve already said that.
ProgressiveGenX October 4th, 2014 at 21:03
Just throwing it out there. When people say “progressive” they mean economic progressivism. The economic stuff: income inequality, minimum wage, strong enforcement of regulations for Banks, Wall Street, corporations, a better welfare system, ending privatization. When people say liberal, they mean social issues: abortion and birth control, legalization of weed, LGBT rights. Just an opinion, most progressives care about tax and spend, liberals more about freedom from government intrusion.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 21:30
Not quite. Liberals have always believed in strong government. We know we can’t get anything noble accomplished without the government’s money and power. Our goal is to remedy domestic social inequities that are most economically harmful. We believe in strong unions, feeding, housing and clothing the poor, and getting rid of giant banks and giant insurance companies. Most of us belong to Credit Unions. And try to stay healthy.
It’s libertarians who want the government out of their lives. They’re the ones who don’t want to pay taxes, and have spent years pressing for the legalization of marijuana.
You may be right about Progressives. I’ve never known where Progressives stand. I thought they were Liberals, but what do I know?
ProgressiveGenX October 5th, 2014 at 08:51
I agree with you. I consider myself a liberal. I just feel the term has been polluted by corporate Democrats. Remember we are dealing with Republicans. Mostly religious nitwits. The term “progressive confuses them. If they say liberal they usually mean abortion, gay-marriage.
OldLefty October 5th, 2014 at 09:06
I think the term “progressive” started with Teddy Roosevelt and the Progressive movement.
But allow me to share a post from a comment section that I saw long ago, (I don’t even know from where now), about whiney lefties;
“There are, I am convinced, people within just about any movement who cherish defeat.
Defeat allows them to nurse a grudge, allows them to burnish their vanity and pride at their own pristine moral righteousness, without any of the messy compromise and painful slogging
through the trenches that actual victory brings.
We see this all the time when at activist meetings,
where there is always some guy who wails loudly about the wicked immorality of the world, about the corruption of the movement all the while implying that they alone are the valiant pure soul who stand uncorrupted.
Of course, these same people can be counted on to
never man a phone bank, never walk a precinct, never send a donation.
They are the political equivalent of the 101st
Chairborne, the chickenhawks who lustily declare
war from their moms basement.
F*ck, I am as pissed at Obama for half a dozen things
as well; but when I look at the political landscape he is head and shoulders above anyone else, and I am working my ass off doing everything in my power to get him re-elected.
If someone wants to stand tall and preen about their
political purity go ahead- but just please get the f*ck out of the way of those who want to get sh*t done.”
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org October 5th, 2014 at 23:01
I am glad you brought up Obama, who is not on the ballot, btw, and will never be again. Unless we get rid of this stupid 22nd Amendment and “term limits.” I mean the man is obviously qualified, well-seasoned and still young enough to lead our nation for at lest another term. Instead we’ll toss him on the scrap-heap of history and cross our fingers someone of his stature and character, intelligence and integrity will replace him. That is a far-flung hope, IMHO.
jasperjava October 4th, 2014 at 21:30
I think “liberal” and “progressive” are pretty much interchangeable, and I have no problem with either label.
I don’t see “progressive” as essentially an economic label. I see the expansion of human rights, minority rights, women’s rights and gay rights as “progressive” causes. Liberalism is a big tent, and can regroup people who self-identify in various ways.
It’s only by forming alliances and working together that we can defeat the right-wing plutocrats and their gullible minions.
ProgressiveGenX October 5th, 2014 at 08:45
I don’t mind either label for sure. Just me personally, the corporate Democrats have polluted the term “liberal”. Also, I’ve noticed when people use the insult “liberal” its a social policy. Abortion, gay marriage.
jasperjava October 5th, 2014 at 11:42
There’s also the phrase “tax-and-spend liberal” that has been popular on the Right since at least the 70s.
I always hated that hypocritical phrase. Conservatives spend more than liberals do, especially on useless “defense” projects. The main difference is priorities.
ProgressiveGenX October 5th, 2014 at 20:51
Agree.
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org October 5th, 2014 at 00:59
Since you brought up “legalization of weed” I’ll chime in. It’s one of the sore spots I’ve had with fellow Ds for a long time. To this day, lack of leadership on “weed” in particular, and draconian drugs laws in general are sad, outrageous examples of how far we have wandered from our roots in Civil Rights and Voting Rights.
ProgressiveGenX October 5th, 2014 at 08:39
I agree. Some Democrats still believe in the “war on drugs”. The results are in. Tons of wasted money, un-necessary incarceration, the prison-industrial complex. True Ds would see the folly of this.
uzza October 4th, 2014 at 21:04
–Said, unfortunately, by an actor on a TV show instead of one of our representatives, but still.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 21:20
That’s what I loved about “West Wing”. They knew how to be Democrats. Josiah Bartlett was the greatest president ever. Of course, he didn’t have to deal with these real-life Republican devils. And every word he spoke was scripted, but still. . .
Tammy Minton Haley October 4th, 2014 at 23:45
…the real world isn’t quite so beautifully scripted…
jake November 3rd, 2014 at 22:48
ELIZABETH WARREN Liberalisms best hope.
David Lloyd-Jones October 5th, 2014 at 08:32
Poor sad little Ramona,
You write “I was around when Democrats were proud to be called liberals and nothing scared them. There wasn’t a single Democrat who didn’t fight hard for unions or for the disadvantaged. I want that back because I believe it’s the only way we can win.”
You were around, hunh? But “NW10, I have never not voted Democratic and I’ve been an activist since 1958.”
That’s not being around. You’re just one of the simpering little lumps who put Bush and Cheney in power.
-dlj.
jasperjava October 5th, 2014 at 12:05
“I have never not voted Democratic” is a clumsy phrase, a double negative, but it means “I have always voted Democratic.”
You can fault Ramona for her grammar here, but you can’t accuse her of helping B*sh and Cheney get “elected”.
Ramona Grigg October 6th, 2014 at 00:39
Yes, I could have worded that better. Ha! He can accuse me of bad grammar and even of being a simpering little lump (I’m not sure what that is but it doesn’t sound good), but helping Bush and Cheney get elected? Them’s fightin’ words.
jake November 3rd, 2014 at 22:47
Gotta remember Ramona, Bush Cheney did not win in 2000,SCOTUS handed it to them. In ’04,they stole it when they challeneged a few thousand votes in Ohio,that were tossed out for no reason by the Republican Ohio secretary of State.
Ramona Grigg October 6th, 2014 at 00:47
Other than the personal insults, I didn’t understand a word of what you said here. Care to explain how I helped put Bush and Cheney in power?
What’s your point?
David Lloyd-Jones October 6th, 2014 at 00:52
Every vote counts, and I assume that all sane and decent people voted against Bush and Cheney.
But you’re right: I don’t know whether this includes you.
-dlj.
Ramona Grigg October 6th, 2014 at 07:25
So am I still a simpering little lump? ;)
David Lloyd-Jones October 6th, 2014 at 12:34
No.
I am. I goofed. I misread that stupid double negative.
Sorry ’bout ‘dat. (Really: apologies!)
Cheers,
-dlj.
jake November 3rd, 2014 at 22:43
Simply put,progressive is the word liberals have used since Republicans made Liberal into a curse word. Shows how Dems have wimped out over the years.
Actually a progressive is someone who wants to see society move forward.Toytal opposite from Conservative.
Tammy Minton Haley October 4th, 2014 at 23:39
i’m afraid i’ll stand in the corner with you, love…i agree…
enough with the in-fighting! it is why we consistently screw up a good thing!
how about focusing on TURN OUT–i’ll be totin’ two brand-new voters to the polls this november–one’s 36, the other’s 29, and neither has ever cast a vote! i’ve been working on’em all year–and, i got’em!
there are more of US, than there are of THEM–we just have to SHOW UP!
arc99 October 4th, 2014 at 17:57
I for one am a proud member of the Democratic party. I don’t take any guff from the idiots who insist on saying “Democrat party” and I have frankly never been very fond of the term “progressive”.
I am a LIBERAL. Talk radio has spent nearly two decades demonizing the word and unfortunately many of my ideological colleagues succumbed to the hype and abandoned the label. Not me. I am Liberal with a capital L.
The 2014 elections could very well bring bad news for us. The worst of it will be the insufferable crowing from the right wing if they take the Senate. These people demonstrate zero ability to engage in critical thinking. They will swear that 2014 is “proof” of repudiation of all things Democratic, liberal or progressive and that the TeaParty has prevailed.
We heard the same nonsense when Scott Brown took Ted Kennedy’s seat in the special election after Kennedy’s death. Right wingers were ecstatic as even in blue Massachusetts, liberalism was, according to their talking points, being rejected. Objective information such as the fact that the turnout for that election was extraordinarily low, or that the Democratic candidate Martha Coakley will go down in history as a textbook example of how not to run a campaign were dismissed as “liberal media spin”.
Well we all know now that the correct way to refer to Scott Brown is ‘former US Senator from Massachusetts’. Looks like those predictions of a TeaParty takeover of Massachusetts were a bit overstated.
So if Nate Silver’s projections are on target, be prepared for more of the same in the aftermath of the 2014 elections. It will be difficult to endure, but stay focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. That light is 2016. That will be when the shoe is on the other foot and Republicans will be defending 23 of the 33 US Senate seats being contested.
Among those 23 seats currently held by Republicans up for reelection in 2016 are Florida, Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. For those of you scoring at home, President Obama carried all of those states. With Hilary at the top of the ticket, maybe even Arizona is in play.
So to my liberal colleagues, prepare for the worst next month. That way you can only be pleasantly surprised. To my conservative colleagues, enjoy the results of 2014 while they last. With Hilary Clinton leading the ticket and Republicans defending seven blue states in the US Senate in 2016, your 2014 benefits will likely be quite temporary.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 19:07
Me too, Arc. All the way. Thank you.
arc99 October 4th, 2014 at 17:57
I for one am a proud member of the Democratic party. I don’t take any guff from the idiots who insist on saying “Democrat party” and I have frankly never been very fond of the term “progressive”.
I am a LIBERAL. Talk radio has spent nearly two decades demonizing the word and unfortunately many of my ideological colleagues succumbed to the hype and abandoned the label. Not me. I am Liberal with a capital L.
The 2014 elections could very well bring bad news for us. The worst of it will be the insufferable crowing from the right wing if they take the Senate. These people demonstrate zero ability to engage in critical thinking. They will swear that 2014 is “proof” of repudiation of all things Democratic, liberal or progressive and that the TeaParty has prevailed.
We heard the same nonsense when Scott Brown took Ted Kennedy’s seat in the special election after Kennedy’s death. Right wingers were ecstatic as even in blue Massachusetts, liberalism was, according to their talking points, being rejected. Objective information such as the fact that the turnout for that election was extraordinarily low, or that the Democratic candidate Martha Coakley will go down in history as a textbook example of how not to run a campaign were dismissed as “liberal media spin”.
Well we all know now that the correct way to refer to Scott Brown is ‘former US Senator from Massachusetts’. Looks like those predictions of a TeaParty takeover of Massachusetts were a bit overstated.
So if Nate Silver’s projections are on target, be prepared for more of the same in the aftermath of the 2014 elections. It will be difficult to endure, but stay focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. That light is 2016. That will be when the shoe is on the other foot and Republicans will be defending 23 of the 33 US Senate seats being contested.
Among those 23 seats currently held by Republicans up for reelection in 2016 are Florida, Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. For those of you scoring at home, President Obama carried all of those states. With Hilary at the top of the ticket, maybe even Arizona is in play.
So to my liberal colleagues, prepare for the worst next month. That way you can only be pleasantly surprised. To my conservative colleagues, enjoy the results of 2014 while they last. With Hilary Clinton leading the ticket and Republicans defending seven blue states in the US Senate in 2016, your 2014 benefits will likely be quite temporary.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 19:07
Me too, Arc. All the way. Thank you.
tiredoftea October 4th, 2014 at 18:07
The Clif Notes version: Dems have to stop bringing ice cream to the knife fights.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 18:56
True, tiredoftea. This should be a meme!
tiredoftea October 4th, 2014 at 20:48
True, but it’s, unfortunately, a political party.
tiredoftea October 4th, 2014 at 18:07
The Clif Notes version: Dems have to stop bringing ice cream to the knife fights.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 18:56
True, tiredoftea. This should be a meme!
tiredoftea October 4th, 2014 at 20:48
True, but it’s, unfortunately, a political party.
OldLefty October 4th, 2014 at 19:23
Great Post!
I think the problem started with the 1971 Powell Memo, which called for corporate America to become “more aggressive in molding politics and law in the US” and basically gave rise to the Heritage Foundation, the Manhattan Institute, the Cato Institute, Citizens for a Sound Economy, Accuracy in Academe, and ALEC.
This gave rise to “trickle down” and the weakening of labor unions.
Labor union donations to Democrats decreased, as corporate union donations to Republicans iincreased. which dovetailed with the push to bring black people and woman into the American dream, while a white middle class who had benefitted mightily from liberal policies, were ripe for the Southern Strategy and an unconscious ‘I got mine, now others are “taking” something from me’ tactic.
By that time Clinton came up the “New Democrats”…. meaning, “We also have to suck up to Big Business”.
Add a media that ranges from right to far right to ‘both sides’, and an electorate where younger people tend not to vote in midterms, and don’t realize that they cede power to the very forces they opposed in the last election …..
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 20:21
OldLefty, you tell it so well I’m about to burst into tears, remembering. Now we’re going to do something about this.
Dammit!
neworleans878 October 4th, 2014 at 22:14
In the legendary words of Joe Hill…ORGANIZE! To me, that means working on the local level…we may get beat in the Senate race here, but for every seed I help plant, many flowers WILL sprout.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 23:26
Yes, the local races are so important. it’s always hardest to organize campaign workers at that level, but they’re the most dedicated people I’ve ever known. The hard work starts and ends there.
OldLefty October 5th, 2014 at 07:51
Thank you Ramona.
My problem is how do you get young people (I include all those who have to deal with children, and get to work early, etc…. who are really busy) to be as involved in all elections as they are in the big glitzy presidential elections?
How do you get them to appreciate that whom they vote for in the Senate, (or passively allow others to vote for) today, will affect the SCOTUS, and THEIR lives for decades?
How do you get them to appreciate that the change they want takes decades and starts at the lowest levels?
Ramona Grigg October 5th, 2014 at 08:36
I wish I knew how to get more voters out. We could start by making Election Day a holiday. It would go a long way toward making it seem important. Instead of getting easier to vote, it gets more and more difficult, and the Republicans like it that way. We have to stop accommodating them.
OldLefty October 5th, 2014 at 08:54
The goal seems to be to have less voters, not more.
But it is the same as telling young smokers to quit now, so they don’t have regrets later.
Actually, I heard an interesting thing….
“Make election a “Selfie Day” and post your selfies, (with your voter stub) on a website.)
I hate selfies, but we were just in Italy, and all these street hawks are selling these long tools to hold your camera for selfies.
I thought it was ridiculous, but all the young people had them.
greenfloyd October 5th, 2014 at 22:35
I think it’s a great idea, “Selfie Day.”
Tammy Minton Haley October 5th, 2014 at 17:13
ramona, read my reply to oldlefty, right above us here!
i can’t type all that again!
:)
greenfloyd October 5th, 2014 at 22:34
Here in Oregon we have “Vote by mail” and it has increased turnout. Holiday, employers required to let you have time-off for voting, and perhaps, like Brazil, make it a law you have to vote or get a fine/community service. I can hear Republicans going into cardiac arrest at that one!
Tammy Minton Haley October 5th, 2014 at 17:10
this is what i did…i picked two of my relatives i thought i could talk to about politics…and, i made them understand that what was happening in Lansing was directly affecting their lives, with money, healthcare, a union decision–then i expanded it to the nation…it’s hard for them to grasp even the concept of the electoral college–there are no civics classes in schools any more…i even use that very thing, the fact that they don’t even KNOW how our system works, as evidence that republicans ‘goals are to keep us sick–no healthcare…poor–no unions to protect us…stupid–cuts in education, charter schools, and privatization…
it’s worked, and i’ll be taking two brand new voters to the polls november…c’mon, people…i’m just an ol’ CatLady…and i did it…
Tammy Minton Haley October 5th, 2014 at 17:15
so, seriously, because of the lack of education about the system, you have to start at the bottom…
these kids hadn’t even really studied WW2–and they’re 36 and 29…
OldLefty October 4th, 2014 at 19:23
Great Post!
I think the problem started with the 1971 Powell Memo, which called for corporate America to become “more aggressive in molding politics and law in the US” and basically gave rise to the Heritage Foundation, the Manhattan Institute, the Cato Institute, Citizens for a Sound Economy, Accuracy in Academe, and ALEC.
This gave rise to “trickle down” and the weakening of labor unions.
Labor union donations to Democrats decreased, as corporate union donations to Republicans iincreased. which dovetailed with the push to bring black people and woman into the American dream, while a white middle class who had benefitted mightily from liberal policies, were ripe for the Southern Strategy and an unconscious ‘I got mine, now others are “taking” something from me’ tactic.
By that time Clinton came up the “New Democrats”…. meaning, “We also have to suck up to Big Business”.
Add a media that ranges from right to far right to ‘both sides’, and an electorate where younger people tend not to vote in midterms, and don’t realize that they cede power to the very forces they opposed in the last election …..
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 20:21
OldLefty, you tell it so well I’m about to burst into tears, remembering. Now we’re going to do something about this.
Dammit!
nola878 October 4th, 2014 at 22:14
In the legendary words of Joe Hill…ORGANIZE! To me, that means working on the local level…we may get beat in the Senate race here, but for every seed I help plant, many flowers WILL sprout.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 23:26
Yes, the local races are so important. it’s always hardest to organize campaign workers at that level, but they’re the most dedicated people I’ve ever known. The hard work starts and ends there.
OldLefty October 5th, 2014 at 07:51
Thank you Ramona.
My problem is how do you get young people (I include all those who have to deal with children, and get to work early, etc…. who are really busy) to be as involved in all elections as they are in the big glitzy presidential elections?
How do you get them to appreciate that whom they vote for in the Senate, (or passively allow others to vote for) today, will affect the SCOTUS, and THEIR lives for decades?
How do you get them to appreciate that the change they want takes decades and starts at the lowest levels?
Ramona Grigg October 5th, 2014 at 08:36
I wish I knew how to get more voters out. We could start by making Election Day a holiday. It would go a long way toward making it seem important. Instead of getting easier to vote, it gets more and more difficult, and the Republicans like it that way. We have to stop accommodating them.
OldLefty October 5th, 2014 at 08:54
The goal seems to be to have less voters, not more.
But it is the same as telling young smokers to quit now, so they don’t have regrets later.
Actually, I heard an interesting thing….
“Make election a “Selfie Day” and post your selfies, (with your voter stub) on a website.)
I hate selfies, but we were just in Italy, and all these street hawks are selling these long tools to hold your camera for selfies.
I thought it was ridiculous, but all the young people had them.
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org October 5th, 2014 at 22:35
I think it’s a great idea, “Selfie Day.”
Tammy Minton Haley October 5th, 2014 at 17:13
ramona, read my reply to oldlefty, right above us here!
i can’t type all that again!
:)
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org October 5th, 2014 at 22:34
Here in Oregon we have “Vote by mail” and it has increased turnout. Holiday, employers required to let you have time-off for voting, and perhaps, like Brazil, make it a law you have to vote or get a fine/community service. I can hear Republicans going into cardiac arrest at that one!
Tammy Minton Haley October 5th, 2014 at 17:10
this is what i did…i picked two of my relatives i thought i could talk to about politics…and, i made them understand that what was happening in Lansing was directly affecting their lives, with money, healthcare, a union decision–then i expanded it to the nation…it’s hard for them to grasp even the concept of the electoral college–there are no civics classes in schools any more…i even use that very thing, the fact that they don’t even KNOW how our system works, as evidence that republicans ‘goals are to keep us sick–no healthcare…poor–no unions to protect us…stupid–cuts in education, charter schools, and privatization…
it’s worked, and i’ll be taking two brand new voters to the polls november…c’mon, people…i’m just an ol’ CatLady…and i did it…
Tammy Minton Haley October 5th, 2014 at 17:15
so, seriously, because of the lack of education about the system, you have to start at the bottom…
these kids hadn’t even really studied WW2–and they’re 36 and 29…
foxfilmr October 4th, 2014 at 23:24
See and work for the candidates endorsed at Progressive Democrats Of America. http://www.pdamerica.org. Every one of them a REAL Democrat.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 23:44
Thanks, foxfilmr. Looks like a great website. Saving.
foxfilmr October 4th, 2014 at 23:24
See and work for the candidates endorsed at Progressive Democrats Of America. http://www.pdamerica.org. Every one of them a REAL Democrat.
Ramona October 4th, 2014 at 23:44
Thanks, foxfilmr. Looks like a great website. Saving.
greenfloyd October 5th, 2014 at 00:07
A wonderful post, very rousing and well thought out. I will be out for the next two weeks registering voters in my neighborhood.
neworleans878 October 5th, 2014 at 00:12
ORGANIZE!
Anomaly 100 October 5th, 2014 at 07:58
Good on you!
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org October 5th, 2014 at 00:07
A wonderful post, very rousing and well thought out. I will be out for the next two weeks registering voters in my neighborhood.
nola878 October 5th, 2014 at 00:12
ORGANIZE!
Anomaly 100 October 5th, 2014 at 07:58
Good on you!
rg9rts October 5th, 2014 at 06:46
The solution is simple….something the gopee has understood for years and the dems don’t get….Get out and vote….the local elections are more important than the national ones. Power is in the statehouse
OldLefty October 5th, 2014 at 08:01
This is true.
And it is a huge problem with young people (20-50) who have demanding jobs or are trying to obtain demanding jobs, have children etc.
Add to that the fact that the issues and the candidates are not out there as much and are murkier in the midterms, and it is harder to connect the dots from the local politician who got your mom a handicap sticker for the car, or who met with the neighborhood and DID get the stop sign put in, with the votes they cast that push through more long reaching policies that you vehemently oppose.
rg9rts October 5th, 2014 at 06:46
The solution is simple….something the gopee has understood for years and the dems don’t get….Get out and vote….the local elections are more important than the national ones. Power is in the statehouse
OldLefty October 5th, 2014 at 08:01
This is true.
And it is a huge problem with young people (20-50) who have demanding jobs or are trying to obtain demanding jobs, have children etc.
Add to that the fact that the issues and the candidates are not out there as much and are murkier in the midterms, and it is harder to connect the dots from the local politician who got your mom a handicap sticker for the car, or who met with the neighborhood and DID get the stop sign put in, with the votes they cast that push through more long reaching policies that you vehemently oppose.
annaaurora October 5th, 2014 at 10:41
It doesn’t take ROCKET SCIENCE. Why do you think the lower courts are making better decisions than that of the Supreme Court. I’m now more involved with local politics than ever, even learning State Laws.
Tammy Minton Haley October 5th, 2014 at 17:17
excellent!
annaaurora October 5th, 2014 at 10:41
It doesn’t take ROCKET SCIENCE. Why do you think the lower courts are making better decisions than that of the Supreme Court. I’m now more involved with local politics than ever, even learning State Laws.
Tammy Minton Haley October 5th, 2014 at 17:17
excellent!
Denise October 5th, 2014 at 16:50
the dems will keep control of the Senate. I expect that not much will change. anybody can be a back bench cheerleader. it’s another to actually be on the field many of these dems are in very red states, trying to hold on to their seats. they know their states better than we do. let them do what they know will work for them, not what a back bencher thinks he/she should do to win
Denise October 5th, 2014 at 16:50
the dems will keep control of the Senate. I expect that not much will change. anybody can be a back bench cheerleader. it’s another to actually be on the field many of these dems are in very red states, trying to hold on to their seats. they know their states better than we do. let them do what they know will work for them, not what a back bencher thinks he/she should do to win