There is far more uniting us than dividing us

[Goldstein1984]

This may be obvious to everyone else—I've only been on DU a short time—but it seems to me that DU members are squabbling among themselves for the same reasons the Founders began fighting each other after the Revolution.

The Democratic “Underground” was founded in response to Bush/Cheney. I’m sure it had the genuine feel of an underground movement under that draconian administration. In my own case, I paid cash for a used copy of Che Guevara’s “Guerrilla Warfare” so I wouldn’t leave an electronic record. I was genuinely afraid of my own government, and I still am.

The “revolutionary” event that was the election of a Progressive Black president after eight years of Bush/Cheney raised all of our expectations. Now, many are disappointed, and they are openly expressing that disappointment, sometimes as anger. I am a member of that group. My hopes were very high. I was so proud of what the election of Barack Obama said about us as a people. I have felt betrayed. Others are more invested with the President, and they come to his defense. Perhaps their expectations were far more realistic. I understand them, as well.

Stepping back and trying to look at events objectively, this all seems perfectly normal to me. It’s easy for people of similar minds to unite against a common enemy. Once they’ve defeated that enemy, however, the differences among the similar become apparent. DU is in a post-revolutionary phase where we have to stay as united as possible to preserve whatever it is that we have gained.

Regardless of how we proceed as individuals, we still have enough similar about us (we are not Republicans) that we should stick together. When we disagree, we should try to keep it constructive. I will do my best.

G1984

[HuckleB]

1. You are correct!

Still, DUers have long battled each other. The HCR debate seems like one of the worst battles I've seen, however.

Anyway, Cheers!!!

:toast:

[Goldstein1984]

4. I've probably added to that with my "Kill the Bill" stuff

But the world isn't ending. (Okay, bad metaphor.)

[HuckleB]

7. It's a fine metaphor.

It gets the point across.

Cheers!

[FiveGoodMen]

2. My country is being taken over and destroyed -- probably for all time

There are people here who are okay with that as long as the destroyers have Ds beside their names.

There's much more dividing us than uniting us.

[Goldstein1984]

6. We can unite about going after the DINOs

[FiveGoodMen]

14. Agreed. But when so many on this site defend what the DINOs are doing

I'm not sure just exactly who's left to go after them.

[HuckleB]

8. BS.

[Goldstein1984]

10. I guess we would have to agree on who the DINOs are first.

[pscot]

21. Good idea

Let's choose up sides, then arm ourselves. B-)

[HuckleB]

26. Certainly.

My BS was in reference to the country being destroyed. Sorry, but the country isn't quite that fragile, global warming or nuclear war not withstanding.

[Goldstein1984]

30. I don't think it's being destroyed, either

but I would sure like to have the 4th, 5th and 6th amendments back.

What I do think is that the Middle Class, whatever that is, is being destroyed, largely by the loss of the working class who made a livable wage.

[pscot]

19. Well, since ya put it that way

We're just totally screwn.:hi:

[goldcanyonaz]

3. I think we just like to argue.

We're a family, albeit a very dysfunctional one.

[Goldstein1984]

9. I like the arguing part, too.

It's just nice when it leads to a solution.

[goldcanyonaz]

11. Yeah, but we really just like to argue.

[jobycom]

5. Great points. But we really, really, really like to fight.

It keeps us sharp, I think. :)

Something will happen that will get us all on the same page again. Then divide us again. That's the fun of spending our lives here.

[Goldstein1984]

12. I'm guessing it could be opposition to the invasion of Venezuela

Or maybe a good outcome for the House/Senate version of HCR.

[madfloridian]

13. I am not so sure I agree.

After the way the WH went after those speaking out this last week, I am not so sure at all.

[HughMoran]

15. mirror

mad

[saracat]

18. I Know I no longer agree. As women's right to choice, public education

, peace, unions, and GLBT rights are no longer important to many on DU and I even had someone express that it is only power that counts, I find myself wondering if I have anything in common with some who call themselves Dems. I even had one tell me the far left was anti- choice till I quoted from the platform link she posted to prove otherwise. I am rapidly becoming completely disallusioned with the party as a whole. I had held out some hope for a few good guys but that is disappearing. I keep trying to revive my spirit but it is difficult when everyday brings another reason to see the Democratic party I loved destroyed. We used to be the party of the common man.We now worship the god of money and winning at all costs even if we accomplish nothing.

[Goldstein1984]

20. I think that's part of the infighting I mentioned

It bothered me, too.

Dean raised good arguments, and he was attacked for it. Counterproductive.

Personally, I'm on the far socialist Left of the party. I was disappointed that Bernie Sanders gave in at the end.

Obama needs to surround himself with better advisers.

I'm on the fence about 2012. I'm waiting to see if Obama matures. If he does, and if he reverses some of his mistakes (e.g. the Bush/Cheney Light stuff), then he may regain my support.

[HughMoran]

16. I agree K&R

Let us hope that we can find common ground & unite once again against our common enemy before it's too late.

[Blue_In_AK]

17. I LOVE hearing a progressive voice

coming out of Eagle River. You rock, Goldstein. :yourock:

P.S. How did you feel about the Ossiander ouster as Assembly chair?

[Goldstein1984]

22. I was surprised when she sided with Sullivan on the

Anti-Discrimination ordinance.

I lived in fairbanks for twenty years, and I've been in Eagle River since 2004. I have to admit I'm still trying to figure it out.

My biggest surprise was to find a comfortable spot in Jitters, a local coffee shop, settle in with a good book, and find myself surrounded by Republicans at every table. Is nothing sacred?

[Blue_In_AK]

25. I was surprised at that, too, and very disappointed in her,

especially since when she was on the school board she supported equal rights and fair treatment for gay kids in the schools. I think it was Harriet Drummond who made a comment about how confusing it must be for the kids who have been taught tolerance and acceptance in the high schools to find that the same principles don't apply in the adult world. It's pretty sad the way Prevo's minions steamrolled the process, and Debbie was a big part of that, keeping those public comments coming (from Valley people, no less) until Dan the Man took over. It was a pathetic display.


ed. Surprised at Debbie Ossiander's vote, not surprised about Republicans in Jitters. :) I used to live out there myself, and it's always been more conservative than Anchorage proper.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

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[Goldstein1984]

27. I'm not completely clear on the use of recs and unrecs

I've not used an unrec yet, but I use a rec anytime I read something I think is well-written and that stimulates a worthwhile discussion, whether or not I agree with it.

It appears that one of the uses for unrecs is to suppress an idea and drive it down on the Greatest list so that it will not be seen.

Am I seeing that correctly.

[janx]

28. Yes, unfortunately you are.

People have been acting very silly regarding the whole rec/unrec feature, and trolls have been abusing it too.

[AuntPatsy]

29. Excellent op, I just hope that perhaps you can get some to understand

the real threat and or enemy facing us at this time...it really is in my opinion imperative that we find a way to work together the present political climate demands it if we are to assume we have any power or even a resemblance of power left...

I pretty much said the same thing but not nearly as eloquently as you yourself stated...we don't have to like each other but we seriously need to begin to find a way to work together because in the end, we really are on the same side if not of the same mind frame and there is nothing wrong with allowing ourselves to instead of ignoring, listening to each other's points of view and whether we agree or not, it really doesn't matter, what matters is finding a way to compromise in order to form a more united front, they have, we need to learn or they will continue to lead while we continue to allow ourselves being pulled along kicking and screaming but still having to follow.....


Peace...we can only hope such is possible..

[Goldstein1984]

31. That seemed pretty eloquent to me

Our elected officials may not be ignoring us completely, but they are certainly giving far too much attention to the economic elite.

If I have one fundamental political belief, it is that we have lost our government to the corporations, and that our elected representatives will not work for us unless they fear us as much as they fear corporations.

We always have our vote, but I don't really believe they fear that. Until working people are united and aggressive enough to take some notable action, things will continue as they are.

We don't need all the people, just enough to rock the economic boat. Sort of like: what if they had a war, and nobody showed up? But instead: What if they had an economy, a whole bunch of people just stopped buying anything they didn't truly need. An economy based 70% on people buying a lot of stuff they don't need would have to be impacted--the bottom line.

[HuckleB]

32. Kick.

[DailyGrind51]

33. Remember how we used to joke about Republicans "eating their own"?