Mansion Nation...... unplugged.

[democrank]

It came as no surprise to me, this abject poverty hurricane Katrina uncovered. I wasn`t shocked as Brian Williams or Anderson Cooper stumbled onto the haves-and-havenots story they were forced to report. That elephant has been in our living room for a long, long time. Some of us looked the other way and some of us let the fear of a "Liberal" label keep us quiet.

Feast your eyes on our bloated CEOs and the feckless Congress that abets them. Listen to the Limbaughs, the Hannitys and their poor-equals-lazy commentary. Join in the laughter at Jimmy Carter`s wussy work with Habitat for Humanity. Watch another commercial that guarantees Car X will get you some respect. Where`s the poverty dialogue? Missing, that`s where.

During the 2004 election cycle, I heard only two Democrats consistently raise this issue: John Edwards and Wes Clark. For others, "War on Terror" was the buzzphrase, so much more important than talking about millions of Americans teetering on the edge of despair. We should be ashamed. Ashamed that our own DLC hacked away at the integrity of the very people in the party who have made social and economic justice their main concerns. Ashamed because we let them strip the honor from basic party principles and turn it into some slacker giveaway program.

Here`s what I know: I know how tragic circumstances can crush you, your children and your pride, how they can take away your very breath and your will to go on. I know how much it hurts. I know about the shame, the despair. And, I know how much it means to have someone...even a stranger...hold out a hand.

This national disgrace must be dealt with. No more hiding the dirty little secrets. Democrats must rise up, get back to basics and DEMAND that our leaders return to the issues that speak to our humanity.

[blossomstar]

1. AMEN! Well said. thanks.

[Flying Dream Blues]

2. Well said. Recommended.

Thanks for this post. It does help me to see that this tragedy is bringing light to a problem many try not to see. It's time to shine that light into the darkest corners...it's time to show everyone that we as Democrats mean what we say. We can't give up just because we don't have all the answers, and we have to stand up for the least among us. As you remind us, tomorrow it could be you or me, and I would hope for a hand when I need it as well.

[ArkDem]

3. >I heard only two Democrats consistently raise this issue

What are you talking about? Ever heard Sen. Edwards discuss his 'two americas' theme?
:shrug:

[Catrina]

4. Ithink the OP mentioned John Edwards as one of the two

During the 2004 election cycle, I heard only two Democrats consistently raise this issue: John Edwards and Wes Clark.

Excellent OP btw ~ I wish this tragedy would change the dialogue, but I doubt it. We are way too addicted to capitalism and greed.

The story of the people trying to get to safey across the bridge, who were stopped by the Gretna police because they were protecting the property of the wealthy, pretty much epitomizes American society. This hurricane revealed all the ugliness of what the OP mentioned, the loudmouthed condemnation of the poor as 'lazy' while at the same time invoking Jesus as their 'hero'. Hypocrisy, hatred and greed rule!

[Lindsay]

5. Recommended.

This is so important. (And the Congressional Black Caucus is, as we speak, trying to do something about it.)

I've been poor; I'm on the edge now, although I'm holding my own. And I'm a woman, so I'm very conscious of what it means to have the majority of our government dismiss me or worse.

The DLC - those who are actually Democrats, and not Repug moles - should be ashamed of the way they've hijacked the party's principles.