This will likely get me into trouble...

[LaydeeBug]

an absolute MUST READ. I checked and I didn't see it anywhere else, so I wanted to put it here. We need to understand the divides among us if we are ever going to stand together.

(start quote)

This has been percolating in my brain for a little while now. I received an e-mail from barackobama.com about the 50 million dollars they needed to raise for their Get Out The Vote effort this fall, and my brain twisted rather uncomfortably thinking about it - I've since been trying to find the words to why. Today, while reading deaniac83's diary about Glen Greenwald, this all started coming to the surface. If you haven't read that diary, I'd encourage anyone to do so, mostly because it so singularly defines what I find so, so... let's call it 'off-putting' in the modern discourse of the democratic party. Not the opinions it expresses (which I'm all for expressing, especially when I disagree), but rather the parts calling someone else to task for daring to express theirs.


(end quote)



http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/9/2/898329/-This-will-likely-get-me-into-trouble...

[Nite Owl]

1. Excellent

diary. Says a lot of what most of us are feeling. I liked the part about how he felt when he voted in '08. I remember it, for once I felt like I was voting FOR someone, something to happen, instead of just voting because the alternative was so much worse. What a disappointment this past year and half has been. The fact that it all started before inauguration day makes it worse. No blaming the Congress or the GOP for that, we were scammed.

[Mimosa]

2. K&R I understand how he or she feels.

Excellent:

If you're still here and wondering what I'm hoping you'll take away from reading this journal, it's simply this: the discrepancy between the enthusiasm of 2008 and 2010 was to some degree unavoidable, but the overwhelming quantity of 'meh' floating around democratic voters speaks to a systemic issue that must have at least some basis in reality, and it would do wonders for people to recognize this, and reach out rather than get angry.
There are thousands and thousands and thousands of us who feel we've been duped and ignored, and this administration and this party could work miracles by ceasing the calls to get in lock step, and for once stand for something other than compromise.

Say we'll balance the budget by ending the drug war - it's not working anyway. Or cutting corporate welfare, or ending the insane bush-era tax cuts, or cutting back on defense - not troops, but defense - we can do with one fewer bombers, honestly we can. Say we're going to secure Social Security by raising the tax ceiling by that oh so little bit that would seal the deal - turn the rhetoric of impending doom around to push legislation the other side will just loathe. Say we're going to get all FDR in this house, and put people to work rebuilding bridges and the power grid, and the railroad, or laying just stupid quantities of fiber-optics to bolster our communications network.

A little liberal populism would energize hundreds of thousands of people, help to rebuild our nation, and wipe out the supposed enthusiasm advantage overnight.

Admit it - wouldn't that feel a lot better than what we've got?

[truth2power]

3. I wholeheartedly agree with jmkiru in your link, above. Furthermore,

Glenn Greenwald tells it like it is.

[ProSense]

4. Validate me

A few responses to that diary:

The notion of how voting should "feel" is curious

I think it pinpoints the larger divide hear on th blogsphere. For a lot of folks I think this whole exercise is very much about personal validation.

I could care less about being validated. I'm working for change. he process of change isn't instant and it isn't always inspiring. Usually it feels like sausage making.

link

So since 1992 no more excitement?

How'd you feel when you voted in 94, 96, 98, 2000 - and every other election? Funny how the diarist was so excited with Slick Willie in 92 and just jumped straight from that election to 2008.

Tells me all I need to know.

link

Here we go again

another diary criticizing people criticizing people who have criticized the President.

If you like vote, if you like don't vote. if you think both parties are the same sit at home. when november comes and passes we shall see what comes of our decisions.

Good luck to everyone.

link

The first one pretty much sums it up.

[LaydeeBug]

5. Awwww, you picked a "Slick Willie" quote. Funny that. nt