If you live in a state with a Repub or conservative Dem Senator (or two)

or a district with a Blue Dog Dem Rep, have you:

Been complaining to them about Bush/Congress, but getting no response?

Been complaining to them about Bush/Congress, but getting a response that you don't agree with? (elaborate)

Not been complaining to them about Bush/Congress because doing so would be futile?

Also, what do you think is the best way to get them to support progressive Democratic legislation?
(or do you think it's futile, and they should just be voted out?)

In my state, Florida, getting Mel Martinez, the General Chairman of the Republican Party, to vote for progressive Democratic legislation would be like trying to teach a pig to fly.

--IMM

But, of course, I'd like to have a more-progressive senator than Nelson. I just don't know that, given the current demographic makeup of our state, such a candidate would pass muster.

When Nelson refused to join in the filibuster effort to stop the Alito nomination, I was furious with him and called his office to let them know that I was tired of his enabling Bush. He no longer has my support.

Get as many people to make these phone calls.

Call GOP contributor and war contractor General Electric Corporation at 203 373 2211 and ask for the public relations department. Tell the person in public relations that you want the GE CEO to get Bush to end the war in Iraq and then Bush resign with Cheney and until that happens you will not buy any GE products and that you will tell your friends about this.

Call GOP contributor Rite Aid at 1-800-325-3737 and tell the person to get the CEO to get the GOP to enact HR 676 Single payer health care and repeal Medicare Part D and place the drug benefit in Medicare Part B covering 80% of drugs with no extra premiums, no extra deductibles, no means tests, no coverage gaps, and remove the means test for Medicare Part B and until that happens, you won't buy ANYTHING from Rite Aid.

Call GOP contributor Wendy's restaurants at 614 764-3553 and Tell the person in public relations that you want their CEO to get the GOP to help enact a $10/HR MIN. WAGE into law and until this happens you will not go to a Wendy's Restaurant.




After you call these companies please send email to info@dmocrats.org with the subject CALLED.

Bob Graham did OK here.

--IMM

Martinez votes for liberal issues 0% of the time:

http://www.adaction.org/2006Senatevr.htm

Code Pink... The aids are so frustrated with his vote on this war, and can only give an answer that follows like this: Bill Nelson is a conservative Democrat. He represents this state which is, by majority, a conservative state (actually I think that demographic is changing now that its not only a retirement home--only they seem to be the only one's who vote. And there is a lot of war co. down here that operate and NASA)... We said that even conservatives were pissed off about this war, so it seemed he was really protecting himself and DLC....

I got a letter thanking me for coming and voicing my concern. But he was not going to in any way cut off funds to hurt our troops... which is such an idiotic statement... and he knows it... and to send that to a CodePink person, I'd have that statement de-bunked 10 different ways to Sunday.

I have called his office on lots of different issues - Alito fillibuster - no help there - Military Commissions Act - no help there - FISA "update" no help there - getting us out of Iraq - no help there.... can't remember the others BUT EVERY FRIGGING THING I have ever called him on he voted the opposite way -

One time I called and asked who in his office handled "Iraq" can't remember the guys name but I called him FIVE days in a row and left a message CLEARLY stating I am a constituent and he NEVER called me back - then I called back the main number and complained that my call had never been returned and they did apologize but the guy still NEVER called me back

Sorry as far as I'm concerned the only difference between Mitinez and Nelson is Nelson counts towards the Dem majority - it is the ONLY good thing I can say about him and we need to vote his sorry self out of office....

sat on from the DLC... He was running against Katherine Harris... He didn't need to do anything, she dug her own grave... So, Florida Dems asked for Nelson to give some of that money to the Progressive Dems that were running all over the state... He said he needed it for commercials at the end... He was sitting on $10 million dollars and didn't. They said there are 6 days left, that's only $6 million. Give at least $5,000.00 to each of the local dem candidates and he wouldn't. If he had given some money to the grass roots, we'd have more of a local dem voice who would support a vote in the opposite way in the senate. It was like he wanted Republicans to win so that he could vote our rights away and for a continuation in this war, all the while touting he's from a red state and he's a moderate Dem. This is the reason I keep saying that progressive dems with grass root campaigning at local levels are more important than the top dogs. The top dogs get pressure from the local politicians and the feel of the constituents who have elected them at the local levels. If they don't listen, they won't last.

that would get Inhofe or Coburn to support progressive Democratic legistation. Nothing.

Democratic representative will follow whatever the good Christian public wants him to do.

...As for Mel Martinez, I really wish someone would expose this man for his deep background Cubian mafia/criminal links. He is as big an obstructionist rethuglicon as they come.

Thus, I have not been complaining to them about Bush/Congress because doing so would be futile!

...:sarcasm:

progressive candidates elsewhere in the country who need the support. If I can't get progressives elected in TN, then at least I'll try to get them elected elsewhere.

Now, in the state legislature, I try to use my $$ to fund progressive candidates anywhere in the state. That means there are only a few here in East Tennessee, but there are some. And there are some in other parts of Tennessee.

I'm sick and tired of being outraged by our conservative Democrats. I expect bad behavior from Republicans, but I'm outraged when it comes from Democrats.

I mean, any who would run for office (besides Steve Cohen, that is)?

The problem is that the national campaigns won't allocate any money to running successful candidates east of Nashville. We have had several in my neck of the woods (Myself included:)) that got a lot of support on the ground but didn't have the resources to conduct a full campaign. Then the Democratic committee's put up a sacrificial lamb that will spend his own money on a campaign just for name recognition. It's really a shame too because the numbers we have seen in a traditionally Republican area indicate a strong trend towards moderation and a willingness to vote Democratic.

past, and gotten returns of basically "I understand your concern, but you're wrong" Don't get any response anymore. Basically, I couldn't have "representatives" more diametrically opposed to my own values on absolutely everything.:banghead:

It sucks!

had better settle on new careers, cause this is the last term for both

All Republicans. I have called and written dozens of time only to get no response or very poor ones on holding Bush accountable.
I have met Alexander, he seems reasonable but he always votes with the Repubs. Same for Corker and my Rep Blackburn. Laster year Blackburn sent out a couple of letters disagreeing with Bush on immigration and acted like she had different views but when to actual vote came for whatever bill she was against she voted with the Republicans anyway.

Davis being the worst of the bunch. He looks like a troll and speaks like one too. He is so embedded in the hop pockets of the pharmaceutical industry and the health care scam that he can barely speak about anything else. Oh, and he's a knuckle-dragger who doesn't believe in evolution, hates science, and loves killing Iraqi's. Go figure.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2067848

Her own on-line poll is showing 91% in favor of S-CHIP and she will still vote against overriding the veto.

What the hell can Pelosi do about someone like this? Isn't it up to voters now?

Norm Coleman, all he does is parrot bush speak.

Nelson, I don't bother with--he's safely beyond all political pressure from his (relatively few) progressive constituents--most people here seem to LOOOOVE (or at least accept) his Bush-ass-kissing--he can do whatever he wants, and he'll get re-elected. I think Hagel is more open to reason, and he votes the right way on foreign policy, war, and Constitutional issues, but he's still got very strong conservative convictions on domestic issues (like SCHIP) that can't be overcome--and he's retiring now, so he's immune to political pressure. Not really worth the bother to contact either one, at this point.

The seat will likely go to a conservative Dem. True?

and Mike Johanns will almost certainly win it.

I have "Not been complaining to them about Bush/Congress because doing so would be futile."

I haven't seen him very fluctuating on anything but choice unfortunately.

If I'm lucky I get a form letter in return that basically says my opinion was is valuable on the issue and why they will be supporting blah, blah, blah.

Not that that stops me. I believe that too many people give up far too easily.

campaigning against the mofos--Kyl and McCain's staffers know me by voice and the audible change in their speaking voices is enough to make me give it up.

I've tried to think of a way I can use my time to further my agenda without the pain that results from banging my head against a brick. Anyone have ideas?

Renzi announced he isn't running again (even HE admits he expects to be indicted) for corruption. Then there's the tax fraud and USAG scandal, Abramoff dealings.

Good news? Looks like we have an experienced, strong, well-liked & respected Dem running for the seat.

for Arizona even if a less wacko R gets the nod.

Renzi's just outright scary RW--and majorly corrupt to boot.

As far as I'm concerned they are essentially the same thing.

:banghead:

I am not sure what the best way to support progressive legislation would be. I write my letters, make my phone calls and vote Dem and I am raising my kids to think progressively. But I could probably do more and need to figure out what that 'more' is.

I think this summer my son and I will volunteer for the SC Democratic Party to help work on the campaign.