A word of hope for those turned off by all the acrimony

[LawDem]

I like DU a lot. I chip in every fund drive and I spend a fair amount of time here, even if I don't post all that often. It's a great news source. It's a great place for passion. But - -

Remember, it is not, in every sense, reflective of the Democratic party, or even the progressive element of the American population in general. There's nothing surprising about this: DU is, after all, a discussion board. And while I can't offer up any study to support the supposition, it strikes me as fairly obvious, by the nature of things, that such a venue will tend to attract a following that, on average, is more passionate, argumentative, more dogmatic, less pragmatic and less inclined toward compromise than the progressive population as a whole. That's not a put down. It's an expression of reality.

And the reality is that the high level of acrimony displayed on this discussion board is highly unreflective of what's going on within the Democratic party in general. Comments often seen here, like, "I hate candidate ____," or "I won't support anyone except _____" really just aren't being said much out there "in the world." For most Democrats -- no, most liberals -- there really is only one priority this year -- BEAT BUSH! BEAT BUSH! BEAT BUSH!

Let me make it clear who I'm speaking to, and just as importantly, who I'm not speaking to. I am not arguing with those who are angry, or otherwise unwilling to compromise. I know it sounds corny, but the fact is that you are citizens of the United States, which means, at least for now (I make no promises if Bush gets another four years), that you are free to vote for or against whomever you please, and, within certain narrow limits, say pretty much whatever you want. Instead, I am speaking to what I believe to be the much larger group at DU who feel the way I feel, that the very future of this country is at stake in this election. And what I want to say to them is this: Don't get discouraged. The vast majority of Democrats feel exactly the way you feel. We are united in a common goal to an extent that I have never seen before in my life (and I have followed politics since the presidential election of 1968).

DU is a wonderful resource. But don't let it get you down. Come November, George W. Bush will face the most united Democratic party since the Great Depression. So bring it on George. We'll be ready.

[KuroKensaki]

1. It's wording more than anything else.

What they're trying to do is get their message across. Get the party to support the platform they want to see supported.

However, almost everyone on this board, no matter how strongly they support their own candidate, will support the eventual candidate for President. The rumors of a Dean write-in campaign are so much hot air at best, and Republican subterfuge at worst.

[RedEarth]

2. Great post.....

Sounds like you and I are about the same age. The first GE I voted in was in 1972 and I too feel this is the most important election our country has ever faced. It's hard to imagine the damage Bush could do to our country, and the rest of the world, with another four years.

I just hope that everyone who is concerned about the direction of our country will not only vote Democratic in the upcoming GE, but also get involved on a local level so we can win back our country from dog-catcher on up. The republicans have to be thrown out of office.

[woofless]

6. Same here, first voted in '72.

Great post Law Dem. I get tired of all the vitriol here and have learned for the most part to ignore it. It was not matched at all at our caucus not long ago. All the partcipants were respectful of each other and their candidates and the whole room was united in our desire to win the GE and restore sanity to America.

[waterman]

3. Not a bad post at all Law Dem. I'm like you, I lurk more than I post...

but in general, I see the gist of your comment. Pretty fair take on it, if I might add.

[lovedems]

4. Thanks for your wisdom

My first election wasn't until 1988. I have found myself these last couple of days engaging in frivolous arguments for no other reason that I am just pissed! I have trying to defend positions I normally wouldn't even think twice about just to be difficult.

I will be soooo happy when the primary is over and the candidate who picked, whoever that is, so we can unite against bu$h. There are times I feel a sense of desperation that bush will win and other times I feel a sense of relief that he won't. I guess that is the nature of DU. It depends on the days and it depends on the posts.

Thanks again for your calming words of advice.

[Old and In the Way]

5. I can't wait to get the primaries behind us........and focus our

collective anger where it really is deserved....ousting Dimson.

[democratreformed]

7. I appreciate what you have written.

I have been voting since '83, so I guess I'm fairly young. (LOL) Anyway, this is the first time I have ever been this involved. I sincerely hope what we are seeing will lead to increased participation as a whole. And I would love to see it lead to new young people working within our party. I kind of alternate between hope and despair (at the thought of failure in November). Your post has brightened my evening b/c it goes on the "hope" side. Thank You.