I read and read on an ART forum about one member who is unemployed.

She watched the State of the Union with great hope that Obama would mention Unemployment Insurance and an extension, hoping he would get behind one and push, push, push.

She's desperate. Can't pay the rent. Can't find a job. Is in a complete panic.

I watched her hope come alive at the SOU, and then watched her be completely demoralized by that BS political theater in the senate when Harry Reid KNEW he didn't have the votes and played political theater with this woman's life.

She's done. She has no intention of voting for "any of these crooks!" ever again. She is one of 1.3 million people who feel the same after last week.

Terrified. Out of hope. Alone with no family or backup system. Preparing for homelessness and starvation.

THIS is the Democratic base.

You think the right is better at helping people like her?
Not voting is a choice also . You don't vote you help the opposition.
Sure things suck but they can get worse.
Not voting reminds me of those cartoons where the guy is pulling a rope tied to a lever with a boot that kicks him in the ass every time he pulls it.

when she's homeless.

But, that's OK. No problem. The Democrats should just keep up their political theater so they can lots of money to run and no voters. That's a solution!!!!!!!!!!

There isn't going to be a progressive movement any time soon.
The best we can do is keep the right out of office as much as possible.

I really don't think there's a precinct called "under the bridge in a cardboard box" for her to vote at the proper polling place.

certainly vote, the residence address stated can be the place you spend the most time and 'under the Ferry Street Bridge' does in fact qualify. For mailing, if no other mailing address is available, the mailing address can be that of the county clerk's office. The person would have to go to the office to get their ballot if that was the mailing address used. A person does not have to have a residence to vote here. People who don't have a residence should know that fact.

be closer than you think.

Our Government is so broken that even if the person we're voting for is acutely interested in constituent issues, the rest of Congress is not. So long as that prevails, I find it difficult to get to the polls. I do, but I'm only going through the motions. I'm a a deep Democratic space, so my vote matters little.

I can understand and identify with people who've thrown in the towel. Until the corruption and lobbyists are removed from governmental life (on every level), the representatives America sends to Congress will not represent the American people. They will represent the 1%. Salon had an excellent op/ed this morning on this subject: http://www.salon.com/2014/02/10/overrated_useless_fools_why_this_congress_will_never_achieve_anything_significant/

At this point, I show up and vote to simply deny a Republican vote somewhere else. Congress is that pathetic, and my Congressman is an amazing human being. I'm very lucky to be represented by him. However, exercising my civic duty fills me with bile and depression because I know the system is broken. I should be proud to have my voice heard when I vote, but I'm not. I'm overcome with the futility of it all. I have a job, I'm not desperate like this other woman, I can only imagine how she must feel. Its horrible.

I'm not the only one who feels this way. I have many faults with the foot soldiers voting for Tea Party candidates, but they have been very consistent recognizing how broken and corrupt our current system is. They may be a broken clock, but they are right on that point.

There are so mAny people whose voting rights are being taken away

Voting against somebody concedes the point that you're not voting for the best person available to fill that position, rather, you are voting for the lesser of two evils. And that's pathetic for any "functional" democracy.

I know many voters on the right who do the same thing. They don't like their choices either and vote mechanically, to deny Democrats because that's what they think they're supposed to do.

We're not voting for the best and brightest of America to lead us, we're voting for which vulture we want pecking at our carcass.

There are great people in the Democratic party, but, far too few of them are in leadership positions or have a genuine opportunity to shape message. The Democratic party leadership is filled with parasites and establishment types who spend every waking moment maintaining the status quo. The party does not generate any meaningful or transformative, or bold legislation on any subject. Yes the Republicans would block it and gum up the works, we all know this, but at least the Democrats could go forward and show us their intents and ideas instead of sitting on their hands and moaning about how mean Republicans are.

We don't need that, and we, the American people, don't want that. In fact, the American people have been very clear in years past as to what we do want -- bold, strong leadership and decisive action.

And, I believe, the American people would be inspired and appreciative of the Democratic Party if they'd put themselves on the line and fight (and perhaps lose) on important subjects that Americans want.

There is an obvious disconnect between what the American people want and what the Republicans are doing. The Democrats need to simply leverage that disconnect take inspiration from and then inspire Americans to do what they're clearly demanding happen. Then, I (we?) would be voting "for" Democrats and not "against" Republicans.

And that's better for all Americans.

I still have the hope, despite all the vileness of our political process.

That's how you keep up the pressure and not let the press ignore it. That's how you force the Republicans to be on the wrong side of this over-and-over again.

How utterly foolish.

while barn-storming the country calling them on their crap is what pumps me up, enough for me to donate to 4 candidates last week. Rolling over and not calling a vote is what demoralizes me. Each to his own I guess.

Walk just ONE BLOCK in the shoes of someone who lost unemployment benefits:

They have no income to pay their bills, their utilities, their rent/mortgage

They have children who need to be fed and there is no money

They have no hope for a job and IF they were to get one, it would be WEEKS before money comes in

And, they see Harry Reid bring that bill to the floor again. Hope raises. Maybe, just maybe, there's hope for something to help them pay to keep the electricity on so they have HEAT. Or to buy some groceries for their kids.....and on and on.......

Then, they watch it get defeated ONE MORE TIME.

They get an email from Harry Reid saying, these bad republicans kept us from helping you again.......send $25.00 so we can get them out of office.

They don't HAVE $25.00. They can't feed their kids. They can't pay their bills.

And their inbox fills with fundraising appeals, which they have to go to the library to read because their internet at home is long ago disconnected. From Reid. From Harkin. From Every Democratic PAC on the planet. A FLOOD of that junk.

You REALLY think that scenario is healthy?

what people are going through to some extent. I certainly would have found more sustenance in fighting a strong losing effort than not trying at all. As much as it sucks, Reid is right. It is the Republicans that are blocking this. Winning seats, which requires raising money, might be the only way to find the votes to pass this, and at the same time get these horrible, evil, shameless Republicans out of office.

Because the only hope Democrats have in the 2014 election is turning out their base.

And you don't turn out your base by repeatedly, over 12 months, demoralizing them.

If that's all we've got, I say we use it. And then use it AGAIN. And use it AGAIN the next day, and on from there.

Keep using it til it draws blood.

Her dire situation would had been improved if Reed hadn't put it up for a cloture vote? Seriously?

I totally don't get how people think. It is like One Flew Over The Cockoo's Nest out there.

I would think that she would want to vote out representatives that voted against it and vote for representatives that would vote for it.

I do pray and hope for improvement in your friends life; but if this is how she thinks then this statement is correct: 'friends name' is a friend and supporter of the 1-percent.

It is as if the Kochs bent down and whispered to her ear, "hey don't vote. They are all crooks," and she replied " I agree." The Koch's go laughing to the bank.

I hear so many act as if the cons were some unstoppable force winning elections by crook and hook, when the problem is that progressives give it away with silliness like this.

to point out how "stupid/dumb/silly" someone so demoralized is reacting to political theater.

Honestly, if you think that attitude wins you votes, you couldn't be more wrong.

Truth be told, you sound just like the Democratic version of the Kochs.

She not going to vote because the democrats tried to pass unemployment benefits???

It makes no sense, it is senseless, it is silly.

She isn't, or maybe can't, think straight.

She is mad because the democrats tried to pass unemployment benefits, that she needs???

to point out how "stupid/dumb/silly" someone so demoralized is reacting to political theater.

Yes it is sad when people can't think straight and it goes to lower voter turnout, to a GOP government, and to a bunch of teaparty legislation. That's sad!

How is it that ' political theatre' hurt her. Let's see: if there was no vote, there still wouldn't be unemployment benefits. 'Political theatre' was an attempt to bring back unemployment benefits.
Yet,

She is mad because the democrats tried to pass unemployment benefits, that she needs???

This is silly. This is dumb. This is senseless.

Nothing quite like mimicking those 40 votes to repeal Obamacare!

Right?

Right?

Yeah, 40 votes this year to reinstate UI!

Can't beat the Republicans? Act just like them! That's the trick.

I hope our base isn't actually that stupid.

That's the GOP's plan. Obstruct everything, and hope people give up.

Then only the RW whack jobs will be voting.

Your friend is helping them.

Harry Reid knew how many votes he had for that bill when he brought it to the floor.

Harry Reid knew the bill was destined for defeat.

So, Harry Reid is so ineffective, he can halt the Iran sanctions bill from coming to the floor for a vote because Obama asked him to, but he can't stop a DEM sponsored bill from coming to the floor?

Yes, I'd call that ineffective leadership and political theater.

Besides, Harry Reid KNEW even if they passed the UI bill, the house was going to kill it immediately.

Political theater at the expense of the Democratic base.

... of Dems being evil.

Ok.

Stay home.

I said political theater.......didn't use "evil" anywhere.

I said demoralizing.....