Are you a strong individual?

Relationship counselors tell us that relationships work best when both partners can function as a whole independently. The same is true of politics.

Too many people seem incapable of engaging in activism or even thinking without leaning on their favorite political prty. So what happens when that party lets you down? The Republican Party is rotten to the core, while the Democratic Party resembles the Titanic. The Green Party is one of life's little jokes.

Thus, predictions of the demise of the Democratic Party fill us with visions of doom and gloom. Yet there's always cause for hope, and America has never needed rugged individualists more than it does now.

In that spirit, are you an independent thinker? Are you contributing to the cause by involvement in LOCAL politics? Have you chosen an issue, researched it and evolved into an expert on it?

Do you have a website? It doesn't have to be big or complex. Merely launching a website says you care. You can help the cause merely by linking to other websites, boosting their placement in Google and other search engines.

America needs fearless thinkers, especially those who are able to communicate their ideas. Thus, we should all work on our research and writing skills. Websites are awonderful platform for promoting your work and invisitng constructive criticism and right-wing hate mail. That's another thing: You should have a thick skin and be able to transform obstacles into victories.

To put it another way, if the Democratic Party suddenly disappeared from the face of the Earth, would you be utterly lost, or could you continue functioning as a lone soldier against the forces of evil? Great ideas, inventions and movements are typically the word of individuals. Don't let the muddled masses drag you down.

I would suggest to you that this "rugged individualism" is why the Dems have been in trouble for so long as it is.

At the moveon meeting, we discussed this whole issue. There is need for strong community within the party, if we are to finally change anything. Insisting that people not need each other, when that is clearly a normal human need, is not going to bring you the strength that you desire.

Not too long ago, there was a very good thread about European societies, and how they differ from USians. The main differences stem from the beliefs of Europeans that the good of the whole comes first, and the USians are tied to their Me first ideology. IN terms of the peace movement, in Europe the peace groups are solid, and have usually been together for a long time. That is because they are clear that they *Need* each other, and so they also work on their community ties. If one member runs into problems in life, the others are there to help and support, rather than to say "Well, see ya later", as happens here in the US. That makes a huge difference in the level of commitment that people are able to make, and the level of activity.

Right here on DU many people are leaving because of the attitude that I can say whatever I want, and if it hurts you, tough, you should be strong. Well, that doesn't hold up for the long haul, and people get burned out and leave.

Maybe it's time to revisit this whole idea, and think about whether we can learn something from other models.

Kanary

"At the moveon meeting, we discussed this whole issue. There is need for strong community within the party, if we are to finally change anything."

EXACTLY. And the strongest communities are made up of strong individuals. If you rally a thousand lemmings who can't think for themselves, you get a lemming migration. Rally a thousand people who have learned to think for themselves, and they can contribute something to the cause.

"Insisting that people not need each other, when that is clearly a normal human need, is not going to bring you the strength that you desire."

Normal human needs are part of the problem. The corporate masters are experts at using psychology to manipulate people. One of the key "normal human needs" gives us the rule of the flock, commonly referred to as people. Yes, people need each other. But they should be smart enough to understand the principals of sacrificing principles for companionship, and strong enough to act on their knowledge.

"Not too long ago, there was a very good thread about European societies, and how they differ from USians. The main differences stem from the beliefs of Europeans that the good of the whole comes first, and the USians are tied to their Me first ideology."

Being able to think and act for oneself, doesn't necessarily translate into selfishness. In fact, I strongly suspect Europeans are much more intelligent (or at least better informed) than Americans, on average. They certainly aren't subject to our bias and corporate propaganda to the same degree. So European peace groups may make my point - they're networks of relatively strong, intelligent people, whereas many American political groups are composed of people who can't think for themselves and therefore can't contribute much to the group.

"Right here on DU many people are leaving because of the attitude that I can say whatever I want, and if it hurts you, tough, you should be strong. Well, that doesn't hold up for the long haul, and people get burned out and leave."

Again, you make my point. That's a sign of weakness. Anyone who can't handle a little criticism or is overwhelmed by the powers arrayed against us - from corporate behemoths to flaky U.S. citizens - isn't going to get very far.

"Maybe it's time to revisit this whole idea, and think about whether we can learn something from other models."

I'd like to see more U.S. citizens think, period. Honestly, I'm appalled at the ignorance I've encountered in so many people, even in teachers. What's especially frightening is the lack of thinking skills, the lack of any sense of logic.

So, toss out all those who don't fit your "scheme"...... we're not up to your standards.
So much for your "big tent"

Actually, what I find right here in DU is that if you have the guts to say something different,
you get ignored or yelled at. So much for your "big tent"

So, when you want all those "lemmings" to register voters, or stuff envelopes, or any of the
other scutwork, and they don't show up, you may want to remember that it's likely they're picking up
the disdain you have for them, and don't care to be around that.

You come across as very judgemental and superior. It doesn't exactly draw people in.

bye..

Kanary

Which candidate do you support for president? And why?

I loath myself to the very core of my being. The fact that Bush will win again in 2004 simply reinforces my patheticness.

Bottom line: I wish I was dead. I really really do. I'd take the ultimate plunge into nothingness if I could only muster the courage.

We're products of our environment, but we can change what we are.
At least we can try.
And the fact that you're think about this stuff and on DU posting
about it means that you're thinking for yourself.

My self loathing seems to have kicked into overdrive. Words can't express how much I hate myself. It feels really weird.

Of what's going on in your country than most of the Americans I
talk to. I could totally understand immense frustration (euphemism)
with Americans, but I don't understand why you're pointing fingers
in the mirror.

The Dem party is already pretty much "disappeared"
(with the rare exception of a hero like Wellstone or a Kucinich).

So if people are clinging to an existing party to take on the neocons
in this country, they're dreaming.

'Merkans are trained not to be independent thinkers, in fact
we're intentionally poorly educated (e.g., not tought geography
or history, and given bogus/slanted textbooks). So one good
method of dissent is merely learning the very subject denied
us by public education!

At the very least it's a good first step.

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
-George Santayana

"(The government) plays off (Americans') relative innocence, or
ignorance to be more precise. This is probably why geography has not
really been taught since World War II -- to keep people in the dark
as to where we are blowing things up. Because Enron wants to blow
them up. Or Unocal, the great pipeline company, wants a war going
some place."
-Gore Vidal
http://www.laweekly.com/ink/02/33/features-cooper.php

You wrote, "The Dem party is already pretty much "disappeared"
(with the rare exception of a hero like Wellstone or a Kucinich).."

Yes. That doesn't mean it's hopeless, and I applaud anyone who's trying to reform the Democratic Party from the inside. But there's also a danger in being overwhelmed by the corruption and idiocy that surrounds you. In that spirit, I think people should have one foot planted in the party and the other foot planted on solid ground.

Another example is my teachers union, the Seattle Education Association. It's totally corrupt and very destructive. But when I complain about it, teachers often retort, "Well the union's only as powerful as its members. You need to get involved!"

Fair enough - but I WAS involved. I attended meetings regularly, and I spoke out. Unfortunately, I couldn't even begin to prevail against the combination of union corruption and teacher ignorance. I stil got something out of attending meetings merely to take notes and study the dirty tricks they use to manipulate teachers.

But beyond that, it was a waste of time. I was finally forced to conclude that SEA - and the National Education Association as a whole - is, for all practical purposes, a lost cause. If there was a massive awakening of teachers and parents, they could reform it, but I see nothing to suggest that will happen in the near future.

Notice the resopnses I received to a NEA challenge I posted at
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=890810
Several individuals insisted their unions are on the level, blah, blah, blah - but not one was willing to so much as list the NAME of their union.

I am independant all right. Ive always spoke my mind and never followed the popular crowd back in high school. Im an individual but I dont want people to follow me either. Always had something about guys following me, I always stopped it.

And to the guy with the death wish. Go get some help bro.

I was extremely shy when I was young and HATED politics. Thus, I never imagined I'd be politically involved.

One of the awkward things about running for public office is tooting your own horn - trying to convince people they should vote for you because you're hot stuff. I've generally avoided that strategy, preferring instead to simply put lots of information online about my issues and mercilessly attacking the enemy.

Part of me would love to have lots of "followers," but I'd really prefer to have ALLIES - people who can both function independently and network with me and others for a common cause. It's really amazing how few people care.