Disillusioned at the Capitol Dems

[Cascadian]

Before I begin my tirade, I want to give a big thanks to the thousands of people in Seattle, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and other cities who participated in the anti-war demonstrations. A big "hazza" to you all.


I have not been around here lately for two reasons. 1. I had to concentrate on my studies and 2. I have come to the realization that the Democrats in the House and the Senate are going to continue to sit on their hands over Iraq. These people were voted into office to get tough on Bush's wreckless policies in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran. So far I and many other people have seen nothing getting done. Why do you think the San Francisco marchers went to the front of Nancy Pelosi's S.F. residence? The only thing I am hopeful about is that people are starting to realize that they can no longer rely on the Democrats to get what they want. This is a threshold moment. Maybe this could be the beginning of a new movement to drive a wedge between the two parties to address what the people's wishes. If that's what it takes then bring it. Frankly, maybe it is high time for a new third party to emerge. A true patriotic progressive party.

Apart from the docile movements from the Democrats, I still insist that Bush and his cronies must be peacefully and legally removed from office. Right now! America does not have time to wait until the next election. We could be at war with Iran, maybe China and Russia before it's all over. Maybe another American city will experience another disaster man-made or natural before Bush leaves. Why don't some people get this? Bush MUST GO NOW!

Even though people are finally starting to see how bad things have become, there are still millions of other people who still think American Idol or Britney Spears are top news-worthy items. And dare I say this, if we don't get more people to rise up things look pretty bleak. I have even been finding myself going back to the idea of Oregon and Washington breaking away (Spare me the Civil War nonsense talk! It was 142 years ago!) as a separate country. Maybe a breakup of the United States maybe the only way to reverse this insanity. I would LOVE the idea of being in a non-aligned, prospersous, really democratic country who priorities are truly for the people, civil liberties, and the environment. I would not have to worry about my major cities being the victim of a "dirty bomb" or whether a friend will go to prison because he or she was found with marijuana. All I know is if America keeps carrying on like this, there won't be an America left in 25 years time.

I know some of you do not like what I have to say in this post. I don't blame you. You still have faith in the Democrats and that is fine but my patience has been warring thin to where I want to say "The hell with it!" I am more inclined to just let everything happen. Maybe people will finally wake up even though it would be too late. I was willing to move away from Cascadian separatism and back into the American fold only to be disappointed and disenchanted. In spite of that, I will likely continue to vote but I will not feel good about it because I think I would be wasting my vote and my time no matter who I vote for. Let's face it. America is heading into the bookshelf of history with the other books of the other empires before them. The Mayans, The Romans, The Austro-Hungarians, The British, and the Soviets. All fell. America has become nothing more than an empire in denial. I want to be optimistic but I just cannot.

There is a new Cascadian separatist group that has just started. I did not create it but they adopted many of the old party's policies. You should see it.

http://www.cascadianow.org/


Maybe this is the real future.




John

[roody]

1. Right on, John.

I just got a pathetic email from Moveon.org, asking if they should support the Dems lame extension of war or not. I stopped supporting them after the war started and they did not demand an end to it.

[bbgrunt]

2. I'm with you. Now if we could just get a new 911 investigation....

[pinto]

3. Appreciate your passion. Checked the web page. It touts itself as a representative democracy -

we *already* have a representative democracy.

With all due respect, I'd be more inclined to encourage the majority of non-voters to get off their duff, read the campaign literature, the voter info pamphlets and VOTE!, rather than foster a secession movement.

Thanks.

[Cascadian]

4. We have a representative democracy that needs an overhaul.

It is so rife with corruption and the military-industry complex has it by it's brass ones. It needs a serious change or forget it!



John

[pinto]

5. We're in trouble, I agree. But signs of change are cropping up in the halls

of Congress and across the States. I'd rather support our nascent recovery than abandon it all together. There is no quick fix, imo. We've got to be in it for the long haul.

[Cascadian]

13. As more charges of corruption and lies reveal themselves....

the less that this Administration should be kept in office. The more the Democrats sit on their hands, the more the Bushites will get away with and this country is in big trouble and so will the Democrats. This past election was not a real victory for the Democrats. It was a effort to get the only party that is an opposition since we do not have a real democratic multi-party system in this country to clean up the mess and get tough on the Neocons. So far, I fail to see this happening. Ever wonder why people have become so disenchanted with politics? The indifference, inaction, and catering to the multinational corporatists on both sides is the reason! When will some people see this?

This country needs some serious changes or it will not last. No joke!


John

[Cobalt-60]

6. Most of them don't appear to be responding

I can't prove it, but I know what the problem is.
They've been economically entangled in the conflict, usually via stock portfolio.
I submit that the Reluctance of a Democratic rep. or senator to stop the war is directly proportional to how much profit they're getting from it.

[Rydz777]

7. Failure to act

I do not know the reasons that the Democratic Congress is failing to act decisively - it may range from political cowardice to inability to lead -but I do know the consequences - more lives, limbs, and treasure lost. I also think I know this: if we still have people getting killed in Iraq on election day next year, both parties will face wrath from the voters. We are going to have to get out of Iraq eventually - do it NOW.

[Rusty MacHenry]

8. Your entitled to your opinions

And I will definetly respect that, But I think your wrong. Unlike everyone else on this board I am proud of the great job the Democrats are doing in Congress just because there not voting for impeachment or cutting off funding for the war dosen't mean I will abandon my party, in the 110th congress the Democrats have made alot of ground and passed alot of good bills in the House from the mininum wage to a pro-union bill. I will not turn my backs on my party that I love dearly just because of the way there handling the war. In 2006 when I went to the polls I just didn't vote Democratic for a end to the war I vote democratic cause I was tired of the Republicans, I was sick of them trying to pass bills that will limit abortions and make gay marriage illegal, I was sick of them disregarding the rules and ethics, I wanted a change and by god I got it. I am proud of my party and the job there doing and will stand by then through the end.

And if you don't like what I have to say then that's you but I like my party in office, it's something I have been waiting for for a long time and I won't do anything to fuck that up.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. They need to end the war

and they aren't trying very hard to do so.

[Cascadian]

9. kick n/t

[karynnj]

10. The better Democrats in both the House and the Senate

are doing the tough work needed to push this country to an exit strategy for Iraq. The November election was heard. Last summer, only 13 Senators were willing to vote for a binding resolution for a deadline to get out of Iraq. Last week, 48 Senators voted for it including all the Democrats except Nelson (NE) and Pryor(AR). One Republican, Smith (OR) voted for it and Leiberman(I, CT) voted against it.

This is major progress and inportant. The gain of 35 Senators reflects in many cases these Senators having heard emphatically from their constituents that we need to leave. Many of those 35 were on record only 9 months before condemning a plan like this.

The right wing have claimed victory in this, but as Senator Kerry pointed out that they need 19 more Senators - not the 12 more to pass it - because Bush will veto it.

The protests in the street are important and can be more angry and more radical than the Senators fighting for an exit strategy can appear. They need to win over their peers with strong arguments, not attacks. The protesters help by forcing the Senators voting against it - especially out of fear of Bush retaliation - to see that there is a downside to that position.

This may happen as 2008 approaches because there are Republican Senators in states where far more than half the voters want us out. The ISG presented Bush with a face saving way out - he could have simply signed onto their recommendations and made something similar to this his policy. Some of these Senators likely privately agree with the proposal. After 6 years of lock step voting for Bush, it's hard for them to change.

The Democrats are FINALLY united behind a binding resolution. What would a third party do better? The point is 67 Senators are needed - you don't get that by taking a more radical position. In 2008 we need to elect a Democratic president who will be able to use this work to get out.

[Cascadian]

11. Whatever happened to "courage"?

"The protesters help by forcing the Senators voting against it - especially out of fear of Bush retaliation - to see that there is a downside to that position...."


Did Paul Wellstone's death (or possible assassination.) really turn the Democrats into even being so afraid of their own shadow? I know that the Senate has to follows certain rules of protocol and such but I still think they could have been more tactical and forceful against the issue then they have been. Of course like I said before, maybe it will be the people who ultimately will decide to take the initiative to end this stupid war instead of the lawmakers.


John

[Cascadian]

14. 1 last kick!

n/t

[MissMarple]

15. The old Dems, the complacent ones, had better get a clue.

They are going to be wondering why the game has moved on with out them. Dems like Howard Dean, Barak Obama, John Edwards, and Wes Clark have set a new standard for representing the American people. When the Dems were in the minority talk was cheap. Now, it takes courage to put the happy talk into effective actions. People want results not the appearance of trying.

This is going to get very interesting. Both parties are changing, the Dems are farther a long in this with much thanks to Howard Dean. The changes the DLC made and the values they represent just haven't been a good mesh with the party and the very real needs of the American people. They are way too Republican lite. They are smart guys, but they just don't get it.

The GOP is just beginning to wonder if something has happened to their party. They have sold their souls, quite literally. Some of these guys are going to have nightmares when they find out just what Cheney/Bush et al really are. Pardon me for laughing. :rofl: