Hit with a one-two punch, democracy is down on its knees

[linazelle]

The reality that the CONs have masterfully succeeded in their scheme of both removing a governor and placing their anointed candidate in office--sickens me this morning.

We were given a stiff uppercut in 2000 with the selection of Bush. The last senate/congressional elections where we lost control of both bodies were gut punches. The judicial appointees, a series of light jabs.

With the media and big monied interests in the CONs' corner the prediction is that this fight is all but lost and I feel utterly hopeless as we look to 2004.

[izzie]

1. Yes it is all very odd. These last few years have been like a madhouse.

Have we been taking over by the DOD really. We seem to be moving into a police state right down to no job unless you are a party man. Then at one time all big cities and federal service were run like that . We do seem to be moving backwards. Maybe Bush got stuck in college in the Gilded Age? We do seem to be living in the 1880's once more. Where will the new Newport be? A ranch in Texas?

[cosmicdot]

2. I can't help but to think that KKKarl Rove sees CA as a dry run

... testing out things ...

I think we, now, know what the product rollout for Fall 2003 was ... not to say there won't be more.

Testing things, but in a win-win sort of way ... testing out schemes, themes, voter memories, etc., but at the same time, making political headway ... and, now, capitalizing on it to pave the way for 2004 ... the script will be provided to the figurehead Ahhhnold ...

Did voters forget the fleecing CA took after J20 '01 ... the El Paso, Reliant Energy and Enron effect on the state's economy?

enron = bush = ahhnold

Many national Dems visited CA and stood with Davis ... did they drive the message home? was advertising used to shift angst and anger to focus on the GOP? If not, why not?

I've visited opensecrets.org to look up past and present financial statements of many elected officials, i.e. CA State Senators - I was surprised to find investments in the likes of El Paso and Halliburton, etc. (see Boxer's 2001 financial statement).

It's difficult to fight the evils when those in our corner hold investments in them.

Onward and upward.

It pains me to think of the crystal glasses clinking in the West Wing.

[booksenkatz]

6. The meme has been planted

"Wow, who ever woulda thought California...? First time for everything, I guess."

... so that no one will be shocked when Bush wins 50 states in 2004.

"Gee, who ever woulda thought, with everything against him, that he could pull this off. Imagine that. Wow. First time for everything, I guess."

No shock = no investigation.

[DemNoir]

3. This may be just the beginning

The problem is a celebrity obsessed, poorly educated electorate. These problems are not going away overnight.

This proves the medias control over most minds in America. This country is in deep trouble.

[linazelle]

7. So you're saying the 40% high school dropout rate is a good thing?

"The problem is a celebrity obsessed, poorly educated electorate. These problems are not going away overnight."

I guess the growing lack of education and the CONs' failure to support education is yet another strategy that strengthens their overall base. All they have to do is keep up the weak, elementary level arguments from their pundits going and they win because so few people can sift through their BS.

[0007]

4. The 1960's Bob Dylan's

song comes to mind. "It's All Over Now Baby Blue"

Goddamn, I hope it ain't true!

[deutsey]

5. That's how I feel too

I'm not confident at all that we'll beat Bush in 2004. The CONS have money, unity, the mainstream media, and no conscience.

All we have is a conscience, it seems, and it's pretty badly battered.

In my more pessimistic moments, I fear that the corporatist/GOP/rightwing religious coalition will succeed in redefining American society for decades to come.

And all many of us do here is help them tear down our own.

It is all over, now, baby blue, unless we wise up, and even then...

[linazelle]

8. The CONs also have BBV...

That's the scariest part of the entire picture when you look ahead to 2004 elections. I am lost for words when I consider that they may actually steal the White House again. What will happen to our country?