The more I read, the more I realize...

How broken the system is. But not only that - that it is WILLFULLY broken and no attempt whatsoever is being made to fix it.

Look - if we cannot change the system (government) from within (by electing officials who carry our values and priorities into policy) then we must explore ways to do it from the outside.

Seems to me, the vision of conservative America is not the America I grew up beside. And we cannot fight back in the same old manner that we have done for the past 50 years. Seems to me that the right wing conservatives really hate America as it is - and they are working hard, so very hard to take the nation back, not forward....back to the days of pre "the New Deal".

I had such great hopes for John Kerry and the democrats. But they let me down (no big deal there) but they also let down 55 MILLION other Americans. 55 MILLION Americans have had their "moral values" challenged. 55 MILLION Americans who have all been labeled losers.

So, what to do? Do we roll over, play dead, hope the GOP don't totally ruin everything that so many have worked so hard to expand the middle class....what to do?

A couple of thoughts come to mind - establish our own vision of America for starters. Not based on what the conservatives are working on - but on what we want, why we want it, for whom it would benefit and how we can do it. This vision is not so much a conglomeration of policies - but a vision of what America stands for - what America SHOULD stand for and why.

Work to establish our own voice in media...at the grassroots level. BELOW corporate powers - everyday citizens voices heard. Look - the big corporate powers are NOT interested in the benefits of most Americans - they are only interested in their bottom line. So, we have to take care of our own....for free. 55 MILLION Americans have allot of buying power....and the only way to quiet the insidious corporate voice in government is to take away what they value the most. Buy small. Buy local. Buy smart.

There is much to be done that government will not do. It is up to us to frame our own values - not the conservative GOP.

I have another bold concept - but it is in its infancy....work on a volunteer based program that would reward volunteer work with benefits other than money. Here is an example - if you cannot afford healthcare - volunteer at a local hospital or healthcare center to offset any future costs. Of course, this would have to be a program that would work in conjunction with a healthcenter...this is just one concept - something to think about. Think of it this way - your government has abandoned you....what can you do to make America a better place...and not only help you, but others as well???

trying to be a uniter. It works... just watch and see.

my doctor has a non-profit and barters services from time to time. She also gives credits for "paying forward"-if someone works at the county food bank, they get credit at the clinic.

Pay it forward....that is just one example of a single person making a difference. Can you IMAGINE what would happen if 55 MILLION people did this in one form or another??? Those are the values and morals we need to foster. Those are the things that make a difference - a real difference.

So, how to tie it into the political arena? A new party? A new democratic party with a new vision?

This is key. A vision of America more true to what our founding father envisioned and more just and fair. We need to get out vision out to the people--which is hard work, but can be done.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

I have taken a lot of shit for it, too. A relative abused me through email because I dared to point out *'s faults, my friends treat me like I was the village idiot because I clearly don't realize how Godly a man * is. etc. etc. But I know I'm right and I'm not backing down, not now, not ever. I consider everyone who voted for Kerry to be the winners. Our conscience is clear as far as the fate of this nation is concerned.