Keeping our Eyes on the Prize...

[txaslftist]

Democratic and Liberal internet sites have come to be a major source of funding for Democratic office-holders and seekers.

However, there is a divide between what we (the internetters) and they (the established politicos) want. They want job security, we want out of Iraq. They want to move toward "moderate" positions. We want ALL OF AMERICA to move to a more LIBERAL position. We want the deficit and debt reduced, they want more pork.

How else do you explain the hawkishness of Lieberman and Hillary Clinton? How else do you explain the idiocy of the DLC calling for increased military spending?

They want to look tough. They want to bring home the bacon. They want to be seen as reasonable.

We recognize them as being pale chickenhawks, pork-seekers and treasonable.

There are arguments being made about not "cutting and running" from Iraq. There are equally strong arguments to be made that is exactly what we should do. Our leaving Iraq will make Iraq more stable, not less. We are a destabilizing element there, not a stabilizing one.

There are arguments being made about the necessity of military spending and bringing federal money back to your constituents. There are stronger arguments to be made that in a time of record national debt, your constituents will understand the need for frugality.

There are arguments being made that Democrats must shed their image of being 'too soft' or 'too dovish'. There are stronger arguments to be made that by enabling the President in his overseas adventures our Democratic leaders are committing treason.

Our leaders had better start getting more like us and they'd better start advancing our arguments, or they'd better get used to less money and more opposition from the real democrats on the internet.

One man's opinion.

[meganmonkey]

1. You are completely on point

Last year, many independent voters (including myself) started to learn what the grassroots side of the Democratic party was really about. And surprisingly, they were on the same page as many of us who had been voting for Greens or independents or not at all.

I came to believe that my best political efforts would be had in joining up with the Democratic people to get the Democratic leaders to actually represent their supporters.

Is it happening? I don't know. The grassroots is hustling and busting ass but it doesn't seem to be affecting many of the leaders. It is maybe strengthening the resolve and raising the voice of the Boxer and Conyers and and Jackson-Lee kinda folks, but I just don't see it in many others.

It's frustrating.

I am lucky to have Levin as a Senator, who agrees with me 95% of the time :) He gives me hope in the Democratic party.

I wish it could get better without having to get any worse (could it possibly get any worse?) but I am afraid we still have al ong road ahead of us...

[txaslftist]

2. What is frustrating is that we are going to have to discipline our own...

...while fighting theirs. That means no more money just because someone is a Democrat. It means pitting Democrats who agree with us in primaries against Democrats who don't.

It means, in short, a sharp dispute among democrats.