It is people staying home because they see no point in voting. If voters come to believe that voting for change results in none, then why in the heck would they bother to vote? We already know the Republicans have a high percentage of members who will vote because they know what they are going to get and they LIKE it.

Don't bother with the useless "So McCain would be better" replies. McCain WOULD be better FOR the OTHER SIDE. And so THEY will come out and be motivated next time. What is going to motivate the less-than-dedicated voter to get off of his or her butt and vote for our side next time around if they think nothing has changed? And for the average person, it is not some minor policy issue that is "change" it is WAR, DEFICITS, ECONOMY, and BAILOUTS.

And the MSM is not going to help one bit. Change has to be big, and blazingly obvious. And we have less than 1 year until the 10 midterms.

flame away...

And I am not happy.

doesn't follow through once elected? Unless Obama turns things around, I may well not vote next time. Why should I - at least I can expect to get fucked by Republicans. This whole Obama presidency has been a total disappointment in my opinion. No more voting for corporate Dems for me, so that likely means I'll stay home in 2012. And before someone starts bitching at me for playing into the Republican's hands let me cut you off with a preemptive - fuck you, I'm free to not vote for someone if I firmly disagree with their actions. Obama lost me with both Afghanistan and for not standing up for TRUE health care reform. Anyone who is informed and honest with themselves can not be happy with this president.

we need a Plan B --

IMO, whatever liberals/progressives do has to be done as a BLOC --

Granted, over time, scattered Democrats moving off, staying home, seeking over avenues

has some impact --

but, I don't think it provides a way to get real "change" in the public's interest--

Obviously, we need IRV voting, as well -- but we're not going to get it from the Democrats.

As long as the Democratic Party's only competition is from the right, they will continue

to move to the RIGHT -- completely encouraged, as well, by the rewards of corporate $$$$$$$$$$$.

as in we do need one. I'm hoping one will evolve naturally out of general dissatisfaction with the way the Obama admin, as well as congress are acting - or rather not acting. We up against one hell of a powerful enemy with these mega corporations funding both parties. They have they kind of money to do this where we just plainly do not. :(

In fact, in the early 1900's Teddy Roosevelt was telling us that --

"we have to bar corporations from any participation whatsoever in our elections" --! ! !

Though the information has long been out there . . . either not enough people know --

or not enough people understand it -- but we still don't have a Plan B!!

:eyes:

Selling of government was a huge issue in Watergate --


EDIT: PS: Could it be that it sounds too much like a "conspiracy" to some Americans

and they just don't get it -- though this has ALWAYS existed -- from day one of our

Declaration of Independence????

We were taught quite aggressively in our schools that capitalism and democrdacy were

synonymous!!! What a crock!





:evilgrin:

I am also finished with the Democrats, unless they were all like Dennis Kucinich, but they're not. Their hands are tied to corporate money and that's what kills them as effective leaders of change. Clinton ran on "Putting People First" then signed NAFTA and a host of other giveaways to the corporatocracy. Pelosi made history as the first female Speaker of the House, then when war criminals were in the Executive branch, she refused to put impeachement on the table, saying instead "My focus is on re-electing a Democratic majority in the House." Then Obama talks all populist in the 2008 campaign but turns around and caves to the corporate interests again. To hell with all of them. They don't deserve my support or vote. I don't care if they lose to the Republicans because they're not any better than them.

It is time people concentrate more on voting their conscience than whatever justifications they have to go through to triangulate their vote. Since we're getting shafted with either a D or and R (for the most part, with some glaring exceptions). You might as well vote your conscience and help 3rd parties to increase their momentum.

It will not provide an instantaneous change, but at least it helps start the momentum. I am frankly done with having to hold my nose shut when voting because I am done of voting for the lesser of two evils. And if I don't toe in like a good liberal and I give my vote "away" (as if for some reasons the Dems are entitled to my f*cking vote, talk about gall) I am just going to laugh in the face of whatever bully who try to blame me for their own party's blunders because they were to lazy to get my vote the old fashion way: by earning it.

I didn't vote for Obama in the last election and I have no regrets about my vote. I voted for a third-party candidate. I only wish my candidate had won because then we would have actually known what "change" meant.

"It is better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don't want and get it."
Eugene V. Debs

Eugene V. Debs. Man if only right? Kurt Vonnegut seemed quite the fan as well.

.

The Democratic Party's failure to LEAD! The absence of opposition is the greatest risk to having the Democratic Party _DOING_ the right thing.

It really is time for the Democratic Party to start doing the right thing for the people. I have been patient but it is time for action.

~@:o?
.

It seems that many of these people aren't happy with the results.

At least that's what I've learned from reading this forum and a few others.

what will happen in the interim? Why are you rushing this?
Me, I'll wait to see what progress is made at least in the next two years before I decide who or how people will vote. Sounds like wasted energy to me otherwise.

if the Republicans make big gains.

And making significant changes will become 10x harder. Does anyone think the "blue dogs" are going to become more supportive of progressive causes if we have smaller majorities? What if the House changes back to R majority?

Maybe Obama will be like Clinton and be able to fight through the RW crap. I haven't been convinced that he wants to do that, though.

we are certainly NOT using . . . !!!

How anyone could think of voting for a REPUG after 2000 and the last 8 years, I have no clue!

However, as long as the Democratic Party's only competition is from the right, it will continue

to move to the right --

One thing I'm sure of ... we have to keep HOPING that Democrats will do the right thing .. .

but we also need a Plan B --

and liberals/progressives have to decide on what to do together -- and act as a voting BLOC ...

....but greater that 20% are self identifying as tea-party people. The 20% Republicans are because many don't feel they are conservative enough. You think this is good for the Casper Milquetoast Democratic party. Hah.

the presidential election specifically with his mention of McCain.

"So, you think McCain would be better?" Which is a non-starter. Obama is President and his decisions have and will affect the US for at least the next 4 years.

What I DON'T want to see is another destruction of the Democratic Party like we saw in 1980. The US can't afford it. And frankly my little thread ain't gonna change things one bit either way. I am just very very frustrated with the leadership we are getting.

to re-elect the president in 3 years. Passing the President's agenda is difficult now. With stronger Republican numbers in the Congress and Senate, it will get worse. Without the ability to pass his agenda, his chances for re-elections will be diminished. Clinton managed to do it in '96 after the bloodbath in 94 but we were in good economic times and he had to move to the right to gain re-election. Any more to the right, at this point, and I think we're cooked.

possible for Congress, 1/3 of senate races and for all the local races we can manage.

Take a page from the Republican playbook, and fill up the school boards, state commissioners offices, state legislatures with progressives, and the higher offices will follow in ten years.

When things are going wrong, the thing to do is fix it, not throw up your hands and devote your life to World of Warcraft.

Do you expect him to get anything done during the last two years of his administration when he has to face a REPUBLICAN congress?

Unless there is REAL change in this country within the next YEAR, the Democrats will lose Congress in 2010, and Obama will lose the Presidency in 2012. That's simply the way it is. People are getting tired of being lied to, and they're not going to vote for the people who have been lying to them.

Yes, the Republicans will take Congress in 2010, and the White House in 2012. But it won't be the fault of those refusing to vote again for Obama and his lies. It will be Obama's fault. It will be the cowards in Congress. It will be the people who promised us change when they had absolutely no intention of delivering.

Obama does not deserve a second term, and the Democrats do not deserve control of Congress. They have done nothing with the power they have been given.

Until we start refusing to vote for DINOs, the Democratic party will remain an ineffectual joke.

its all about the Senate. All the key progressive legislation has pretty much gotten through the house in some shape or form (i mean aside from things like single payer, which lets face it, was a mistake on their part not to push, but probably falls in the realm of realism)

the senate is where legislation goes to die, and that's the key issue.

Bush and the Republicans did it. Why can't the Democrats do it? I can tell you right now why they won't. They won't because they will be held to account by the pharmaceutical and insurance industries. And that is that.

The DEM's keep foisting Dinos on us.

A lack of volunteers, donations, mobilization support, etc.

And I will never vote for the 'lesser of 2 evils' again. As for the presidential election, if it were held today, I would vote Green. Obama still has 3 years to earn back my vote, but with the direction his 1st year has taken, I don't see that happening.

After all, it is the liberal/progressive who stays home -- not the right wing --

What we need is Plan B . . . what is it going to be, folks???

Your vote is the only weapon you have. If you keep throwing it away on DINOs, they will NEVER change their ways, and we will never have progress.

this is a small risk in turning away from DINO's --

while at the same time encouraging more liberal/progressive Dems to run for election

to whom we'd give our support --

The trick is that we have to move on this as a BLOC ... IMO.

We can't just scatter off ...

What they have recommended is targeting the DINO's ...

becoming the Independent candidate for Prez. That is about the only thing that would motivate me in 2012. I contributed regularly to the Obama campaign, I really believed his BS. Last week is the LAST time they will ever call me after I got done ripping the poor person on the other end of the line about Afghanistan, HCR, bailouts, wallstreet, big Pharma, big insurance, single payer, etc..

I'm going back to voting my conscience, Green and/or Independent.. maybe the occassional Dem down ticket

until everyone wakes up to the fact that both parties are corrupt - then, and only then, will we be able to take our govt back. Hope and voting for the lesser of 2 evils ain't gonna cut it.

lets just get it over with once and for all and stop this slow painful death. We need a quick death and then pick up the pieces and start over. The USA has become a giant corporation but its not too big to fail.. maybe it needs to be broken up into smaller pieces. I for one sure as hell would not miss Texas

Oh no, wait, it ends in reactionary disaster. Let's not do that.

Never. I curse those subhuman fucks unto the seventh generation.

At least the Democrats are only half corrupt...

However, I feel like I am without a party now because most Dems are just as bought off as the repubs. The party continues to move right - I'm not moving with it.

You won't have armies of people getting out the vote, if they believe Obama and the Dems are more servants of corporate America than they are of the people.

My family and I worked very hard the last two elections for the Dems. I'm not sure I could input that sort of energy again. I really feel screwed. It's the Dems loss too because I am EXTREMELY effective at GOTV.

motives should be? I want to be sure not to make a mistake.

that responsibility to some manipulative S/R demagogue - dogwhistling sock-puppet.

and in local elections in 2009 in my area, it was proven to be correct.

to scuttle all hope of meaningful health insurance reform. That's the kitchen table issue most people in this country are facing every day, the fact that the insurance companies are robbing them blind and giving little in return but a song and dance that can easily kill them.

Reid needs to go nuclear and he needs to do it now. He needs to rob the obstructionists of the ability to obstruct things this country needs so desperately along with the 100 or so bills that are languishing in committee because of grandstanding GOPs and Blue Dogs.

Conservatives aren't the majority any more. Conservatives in both parties need some serious potty training.

:rofl:

Warpy, that cracked me up. I have a pretty vivid imagination, but for the life of me, I can't begin to imagine Reid getting fired up & going nuclear.

Reid's the one covering his eyes in this shot:

Unfortunately I don't think the entire problem is a lack of spine. I think it is a matter of bribery. As ugly as that sounds it is the reality that we must face.

Why no reconciliation? Bush and the Republicans did it for tax cuts.

I don't see Obama doing one damned thing about creating jobs, yet the GOP is bound to make gains because the Dems will be blamed for not doing anything to reverse thirty years of failed economic policies.

Just heard someone talking about this on C-span ....

In other words, the old corporate scam . . . run the program thru them, they profit

and you end up with "trickle down" jobs!!!

they sure know how to fuck up. They promised their base a permanent majority and failed big time.

It's a good time for Democrats to show them how it's done. I can dream.

each one of you, to step up right here and now and put on THE TABLE those issues you are willing to permanently damage or sacrifice, in their order of priority from most expendable to least expendable

So that you can have your little power hungry temper fits.

Come on, right now, put your "money" where your mouths are. Let's make this Real enough that everyone can see what you are actually proposing here.

I still don't understand what you are asking me to do, but let me assure you that if Obama doesn't cater to my specific issues (pro-choice being #1 and non-negotiable), I won't support him next term. It is part of the definition of the candidate / party platform, and no nonsensicla "suck it up" rhetoric is going to change my mind.

If it makes you feel better, I won't support the Republican contender either.

(And by the way, so far I am still supporting him for 2010, despite my reservations about *many* of his Bush-Like policies.)

e.g. What if we can get a deal on "bailouts" to get Co-Operatist Investment streams out of "Public"/"Private" money? That would make "bailouts" #1 for me, not War. What's going on now that would relate to whatever would need to happen in order to talk about that?

OTH, if we can prosecute for War Crimes and take War Profiteers down, SOON, that would get precedence over "bailouts" for me.

Economy? Where are people placing Trade Issues in the order of things that need to be addressed?

I can't imagine circumstances under which I would surrender the fight against DOMA and Women's right to choose reproductive services for anything except healthy late term pregnancies. That's right I am NOT! with those who are saying all and any abortions when-the-fuck-ever, under any and all circumstances. I will not help them.

"We" are having none of this sort of discussion and I'm just not willing to toss all of this stuff in the wind for Libertarians, LaRouchies, Teabaggers, and various other ignorant asocial opportunists to grab and make their deals with in whatever the moment allows.

IF substantive progress is possible, that's preferable to "a bunch of birds in the bush" and we don't KNOW what's possible, because we have never been here before.

edited: for verb tense.

I will never vote again. Screw these career politicians who work more for themselves and their special interests and the GD X-tians than they do the American people!

This land is not the land of the free and definitely not a land where all men are created equal. This land is capitalism run amuck.

Doing nothing and saying nothing is equivalent to allowing others to set policy that affects your life. I'm talking about paying more money, losing your home, shortened life expectancy, anxiety about your future and your family's future, being monitored and punished when you do decide to rejoin the fight.

A citizen is expected to participate, not become a spectator.

they are) in place.

I'd say rofl if that weren't sooooooooooooooooooooooo fucking SAD.

"even" if enacted by Dems

we have to push for policy, not praying that the right "team" remains popular enough (I mean, it's the policies that are important: Congressional baseball stats are only what's supposed to pass those policies)

of what WE THOUGHT WE WERE VOTING FOR?? I KNOW where I live, getting rid of MY representative is probably IMPOSSIBLE! When a person gets elected that has at least 20 lawsuits against him at THE TIME he got elected doesn't give me much HOPE that I have ANY voice! Besides, Democrats rarely, probably NEVER get elected here! I need to check the stats some day, but I haven't had a Democratic Representative that I can remember in all my years of recollection!

Stupid me, even though Obama was NEVER my first choice, I did work hard in the very RED county and took a lot of abuse for it... I don't have that energy or even the will to go through it again! I don't "feel" that CHANGE & HOPE that was spoken over and over and over and over and over and over in hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of speeches!

Do I wake up or do I do THE SAME thing! MAYBE if Democrats can ACTUALLY SEE that they have failed us, even IF it means they lose, horrible as that sounds it could possibly do "something" to make them think twice! My last statement makes me very afraid, but I'm afraid now! I'm worried now, and I have a feeling I've been sucker punched!

Confusion isn't helping either!

but no more "lesser of two evils" voting for me. I havent missed an election since 1976. I've been a registered Independent the entire time. We need a legitimate 3rd party and I am now going to vote for Independents and/or Greens. Forget the corporate Dems, Clinton(s), Obama's, etc. screw em. The Obama - big Pharma thing sent me over the edge. Also Afghanistan. Hell, Nixon would qualify as a Dem these days!

I say recruit Kucinich to become the next Independent candidate for prez. He is one of the few men of honor in Washington.

And keeping their wallets closed to political donations. The Health Care Reform bill in its current incarnation also stands to alienate Obama's younger voters, which could either keep them home in 2012 or even bring them out for the Republican, if that person is clever enough to promise to work to repeal the mandatory insurance requirements in the legislation.

its a win win for the GOP when Dems stay home. Didn't we just see that in some local elections. Va. & NJ too.

because local Democrats treat the party like somekind of social club, all blab and gab and NO GO!

:rofl:

are praising Obama. They love to foster division among democrats.

like activism and taking to the streets instead of buying the cheap dreams some politician-huckster is selling.

don't care. What it really is is people who see this ridiculous sham for what it is, and refuse to participate in it any more. But apathy it isn't. They wouldn't be so aggrieved if they didn't care.

I am so disappointed so far in Obama. The health care reform gets worse and worse every day, and he hasn't been a forceful president like I thought he would be. He seems more interested in being a "compromiser" and pleasing the republicans than the Democratic base of liberals.

Obama and the Democrats in Congress deserve to lose next year if they don't turn things around in a BIG way. And they will lose if they don't start changing their ways quickly.

And our current "democracy" would be up for question.

Of course, there's the risk that the M$M would lie--Fox would show old footage from a past election--and the electronic machines would show that millions of people voted in districts with small hamlets of about 200 people.

Everyone expects the Conservatives to win this next election, despite all the damage that Margaret Thatcher and John Major did to the British economy.

Why?

Because Labour not only failed to undo Thatcher's policies but added pesky annoyances of their own (overly intrusive "security", etc.), in addition to letting the banks run amuck.

When the voters get angry, watch out.

There are predictions that Labour will come in THIRD in some constituencies, losing out to either the Liberal Democrats (Britain's major third party) or the Scottish National Party (in Scotland, of course).

ticket.

But the national level, nah. I'll vote 3rd party this time. Or vote Kucinich. I'll do it purely as a protest vote. There is no way... and I mean NO WAY I am cosigning and rewarding: the Yoo disaster and the fiasco in Afghanistan, hiding torture photos, and bank bailouts. Even if he sold my gay-ass out, if he still went left on the economy and war machine I would've voted for him again. But, as far as I can tell, either the man is a neoconservative or he's a good man who is too cowardly to be a good president.

Those 18 to 30 year olds who put Obama over the top - they aren't happy with a war escalation that could very possibly lead to a draft. (Let's not kid ourselves, it's coming if these ridiculous wars for resources continue. And let's also not kid ourselves that is exactly what they are)

Obama and the Democrats.

That's the key to this whole thing --

We have to get corporations out of our elections --

We have elected officials who are PRE-OWNED and PRE-BRIBED by corporations --

We need a Plan B, folks!!

Absofuckinglutely.

-Hoot

So far, this isn't it.

no one sees the need to vote in the non-presidential elections. And if you add the kind of anger and hopelessness that we are seeing right now then you have people who stay home deliberately. Hopefully President Obama will be able to stop the repugs from obstructing everything he tries and give us some proof that he is trying to build the world we want to see.

And NJ is moving more and more people to absentee ballots --

The GOP/right wing is trying out a few ideas to combat it -- like suggesting

that your address/mail makes it easy to steal an election!!!

But, they're happy with hackable computers!!!

showing us that there is a difference otherwise many of us will not see the use in voting. :-(

Obama is not only up against Blue Dog Democrats and Republicans but an entire system designed to squash change. The U.S. Congressional system from what I can see is pretty bloody cumbersome at best and difficult to pass laws through at the best of times (except when you are the GOP and you just ram them through using rules such as budget reconciliation). Add on top of that millions of lobbyists throwing money around like there is no tomorrow, a mainstream media more interested in the inane than the substantive coupled with a right wing media who goes unchallenged and is even at times given cover by the mainstream media and a cultural divide based on geography, values, history and economics, these are things that can't be defeated/reformed/changed in 11 months. I guess the big issue is whether Obama actually wants to challenge this system or be comfortable as the leader at the top of it (the answer to this is still unclear).
I think lots of people thought as soon as the election was over then the sun would shine again, the birds would sing and all would be right with the world again. Things were always going to be difficult and it was always going to take time to effect change. Don't forget right wing forces have been working since 1968 to set up the society that is now in place in the U.S.A. They sure as hell weren't going to go down without a fight.

that's guaranteed to move the party and general politics to the RIGHT every time --

and the reward for moving to the RIGHT is more corporate $$$$$$$$$$$$ --- !!!

We need IRV voting --

We need a Plan B --

I don't disagree with you in the slightest. Don't think my reply equates to 'lay off Obama' at all. Lefties in the U.S. really need to keep the heat on Obama in every way shape and form. I just feel that this cry of 'Obama promised me change and it hasn't come as quickly as I would like so I am not turning out in 2010.' is way too premature and bluntly, defeatist as it should be the activists' (i.e. the people who populate this site) job to keep the heat on him. (Not that you said that, but I hear words to that effect a lot around this neck of the woods these days).
The situation you described has been spawned by what I said in my original post and it took the Right years to achieve that state of affairs and they stepped on and tore many people down to get there (not to mention suffering a few setbacks themselves). To think that because Obama came in with a sparkling majority and a landslide election victory and that the Republicans would lay down like dying dogs is pretty naive.
I guess the difference of what I think and the approach of the White House is that I think the Dems should fight the G.O.P. on all issues of substance while the approach from the White House is be conciliatory first (i.e during health care, the Dems took single payer off the table straight away so as not to offend the knuckle draggers who would scream socialism). They won't win all battles and it will take time but fighting is the first step (this is where activists come in). Whether they want to fight or not is vague at the moment. It's up to the troops on the ground to want to make them fight.

and the Dem's have a majority in both parties ..and the powder is still fucking drying!

I refuse to vote if FISA is still standing like it is now, and if the Nuremberg Protocols are still being fucked with By this administrations DOJ..If no one from the previous administration is not held accountable for war crimes ( because they committed in cold blood war crimes!) ..I will not vote if this war in Afghanistan is accelerated, if Gitmo is still open, and if we continue as we are right now to rendition people to other countries for torture,.
I want the torture tapes released, and I want my nation to go back to what it was predicated on..the RULE OF LAW!

I WANT THE DEALS OBAMA STRUCK WITH BIG PHARMA AND THE INSURANCE CORPS EXPOSED TO THE FULLEST..IT IS OUR HEALTH CARE THAT HE has made deals on.. THAT I WILL NOT TOLERATE..NOT FOR ME OR MY FAMILY'S HEALTH CARE!

:banghead:

I voted -- wont vote the partisan ticket in '10 and '12, others should do likewise

Bingo! K&R

...or political donating mood either for that matter.

but even in a time of great stress, it's easy to do --

It might improve off-year elections -- the GOP certainly comes out to vote!!

Money is another question . . .

I certainly NEVER give $$ to anything but a specific candidate I'm certain of --

there's many of us who have been active in the party for years who are beginning to wonder why we've bothered.

we need a Plan B --

and if there is to be any Plan B . . . it has to be carried out TOGETHER --

not by stragglers moving off singly --

We can keep HOPING that the Democrats will respond to more populist ideas -- ending war, for

instance --

but we need a Plan B --

I'd agree we might see less turnout in the 2010 elections because of dissatisfaction among the base and a lack of candidates to get excited about.

Still, what's going to be motivating the righties more than the lefties in this election cycle? What issues are those candidates going to run on and win?

Obama, although a pariah to many *on this, tiny, tiny little sample of all voters* is still well-liked and will be trusted far more than whichever idiot the Republicans run in 2012 unless he utterly blows everything.

...Cue comments of "He already has blown everything in 11 months!" which I would counter with: He has helped improve things that are important to many people already. You can search Google and look into some of those things.


I understand many people (including myself) are disappointed in Obama's Presidency so far, but we are paying much closer attention than most people. Average folks seem to be feeling like things are getting better, and the Republicans only say no, no, no.

We'll see where it all leads.

...voters come to believe that voting for change results in none, then why in the heck would they bother to vote?"

....I believe you have discovered the most successful losing formula that corporate Dems will rely upon in 2010....for to lose on behalf of the corporate agenda, means you win....

:sarcasm:

and it really showed me what voter apathy can lead to (Karl Rove protege anyone?)

We need foot soldiers on the ground for every race up and down the ticket, and people need to get out and vote.

the GOP is quite fond of doing it just that way --

That's why the debates say so little about anything -- especially populist ideas --

It is those populist ideas which bring out voters --

It's also why we should see more defense of ACORN among Democrats -- they turned off

the community action a long time ago and have never gone back.

Not smart for encouraging Democratic voters -- but it works for the right wing/corporations.

What the right wing has been doing over the last decades has worked for them --

fascism is crossing our threshold and -- while we can all continue to HOPE -- I don't see

the Democratic Party doing much about changing anything to do with elections.

We need to take back the power from corporate-media to PREDICT and CALL elections for

candidates and by STATE electoral vote PREDICTIONS AND CALLS --

We saw the damage Fox/Ellis did with that power in 2000 --

And this has been going on since the large computers came in during the mid-1960's ...

We also need to rid ourselves of the sham of computer voting -- !!

Germany has declared these computers "Un-Constitutional" and barred them -- !!!

Also throw in IRV voting there and you'll quickly see the Democratic Party returning to

it's human-based ideals --

As long as the only threat to the Democratic Party is from the right . . . the Democratic

Party will continue to move to the right -- also largely encouraged by the rewards of

corporate $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ --


EDITING TO ADD THIS PS: I don't know if there ever was a Nixon "Southern Strategy" or

whether we are just talking about computer steals and corporate-media taking off at that

time???

However, the large computers used by corporate-media and the individual voting computers

began to come in during the mid-late 1960's --

And, coincidentally, that was just about the time America was passing The Voting Rights Act--!!

At least we're headed in a better direction now, we just need to keep the pressure on.

Since we want "change", we should call our Congressmen because Obama said he couldn't do it alone - that he would need the help of each and every one of us!

And next Summer, each and every Democrat should be out working for their Congresspeople - oh, and sending them the money they need to fight the corporate funded Republicans who would kill Granny for a vote!

What do I get for getting the correct answers?

*WARS fully funded and EXPANDING. Bill sent to our children…...Mission Accomplished !

*Trillion Dollars given to friends and campaign contributors on Wall Street. No Strings Attached...Mission Accomplished!

*Military Spending INCREASED....Mission Accomplished!

*Trillion+ Dollars given to the Health Insurance Industry. Token, easily avoidable, symbolic only strings attached....Mission almost Accomplished!

*Kill the possibility for a REAL "Public Option" or REAL Universal Health Care for at least another generation, and begin the “Entitlement Reform” defunding of Medicare (-$500 Billion)....Mission almost Accomplished!

*Block any real re-regulation of BIG BANKS and Credit Cards....Mission Accomplished!

*Protect the Bush War Criminals and Torturers from JUSTICE....Mission Accomplished.

*The Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party SHUT OUT of the Obama Administration…...Mission Accomplished!

*Reinforce the worst Police State provisions of the Patriot Act....Mission Accomplished!

*Protect the very richest. Tell the Working Class that they CAN will be forced to compete with 3rd World Slave Labor.....Mission Accomplished!

*EFCA (Employee Free Choice Act) killed in the crib....Mission Accomplished!

*More Anti-LABOR "Free Trade"....Mission almost Accomplished!

*Jobless Recovery....Mission Accomplished

*The next generation buried under such a debt burden that they will never be able to afford any social or economic programs that will benefit their Working Class....Mission Accomplished.

And ALL this in only ten short months!
What did you want...a pony?

the two groups that stay home the most are minorities and the 18-25 year old demographic, which also happen to be the groups which won Obama the White House.

If enough of the disgruntled left also stays home, the Democrats could be in big trouble.

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I know that my enthusiasm for 2010 is at a low point. The performance of my two Senators has been pathetic. Udall has gone from a liberal member of the House to a bluedog in the Senate, and the appointee, Bennett, is a wholly owned subsidy of Wall Street. I can't say that I will vote for Bennett if he manages to buy the nomination. I certainly feel manipulated by the state Democratic party, to the point where I no longer feel any allegiance to it.

very helpful in keeping voters in the system in off-years --

and I imagine that Christie and right wing are warming up a campaign to

attack it as "encouraging" vote stealing!!!

because in low turnout contests, Republicans win.

So if you think that we'd be better off with more republicans in congress you're doing it right.

It's quite simple really.

liberal and progressives home --

We have to have a plan B -- and get everyone acting together --

I agree! 100 percent. So, what do we do now?

Legalization of marijuana.

Then we all plant nice gardens, sit on the porch enjoying the harvest, and let the world happen.

Honestly, I don't know. The only change I believe in is that things are just going to get worse.

I, who for years, was somewhat obsessed about politics, am losing interest. I will probably vote, but at this point, I'm really no sure why or what for.

Obama is breaking one promise after the other. Oh, he is keeping his promise to fight more effectively in Afghanistan. But, other than that and the Lilly Ledbetter bill, what is he accomplishing. I like the way he seems to be handling foreign policy, but I haven't seen any serious results from that yet.

and snubbed their king by skipping a lot of events in Oslo.

So it will depend on the base the party relies on and how motivated they will be. It doesn't look good from any direction one wants to look. And all this while the American people rejected business as usual in the last election. The party needs to dump those that advise it if it is to turn things around. K and C Street are destroying the party much as it destroyed the Republican Party last go around.

It isn't exactly voting for change anymore, it's voting Democratic so people like Palin don't get in office.

You've lost already. Why do I say 'you' instead of 'we'? Because I've given up on you. You have lied to me and abused me for the last time.

Obama won by 53 percent in a very Purple state. One year later, Craig Deeds, the Blue Dog candidate for Governor, lost 60/40. The difference was that 700,000 Democrats simply didn't turn out, and all the Republicans did.

Why? Deeds was so far to the Right that he said he'd Opt Out of a national health plan if it contained a PO.

Not much enthusiasm among the Party activists for that one. This will happen again, and again, if the Democratic Party continues to court a mythical cross-over Center and corporate money at the expense of the Progressive Base they still have.

I will next election. I was right about Obama, he is too inexperienced.

Michael Bennet's getting challenged by Andrew Romanoff, and I fully intend on doing my part to make the winner of that primary earn his seat.

there is no excuse for allowing the GOP to make gains. I don't care what kind of tantrum is being thrown.

- And don't even get me started.

K&R

"nice post, hitler".

in the upcoming elections. If everyone just stays home, they leave it up to the media spinmeisters to tell whatever story they want, and that story will be about Obama being too LIBERAL for Democrats, causing them to stay home.

I've seen enough elections in my lifetime to know that no matter which candidate or party wins, they'll not give me 100% of what I want. After you realize that simple fact it comes down to which party or candidate will come closest to working for my values. The answer to that question is a no-brainer. And if, as the OP said, if enough dems stay home then the party which is farthest away from our values wins and we've all seen where that takes the country.

The Republicons never threw their base under the bus - this phenomenon started with the Goldwater election. Although Goldwater lost, the Republicons energized their base - as wacky and laughable as it has been at times- and have at a minimum given it lip service since then.

They just won't automatically be voting for the "D" just because he/she has that particular letter next to his/her name. I think the Democrats are in a LOT of trouble and third parties will be reaping the benefits.

I believe that Obama gets it.

The problem is....he must get a reactionary congress to go along with him. And, many members must face loud and angry voices that DID NOT vote for change...some of whom represent a majority in their districts.

Remember what happened to Clinton? He came into office, and starting enacting the change people voted for. End military prosecution of gays, small tax increases on the rich, health security, etc. Does anybody remember the telephone lines into the capital going down?? Members of his own party became his worst enemies. Remember Sam Nunn dragging him through the dirt? And that is just the Dems....Jesse Helms recommended Clinton stay away from North Carolina, as his safety would be in question.

So...I plan to keep the faith. Change is measured in years, not days or months.

natural disasters, for example, have to be responded to immediately, although that didn't happen immediately. there was nothing slow about our "change" in iraq either. change doesn't have to be incremental or slow. if dems quit dicking around, we could have a healh care reform bill NOW.

IT IS STRANGE TO HEAR THE SAME PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR THE AUDACITY OF CHANGE AND HOPE, NOW TRASHING THE PERSON WE ELECTED BECAUSE IT ISN'T FAST, EASY OR SUITS OUR PERSONAL NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS. WE DIDN'T ELECT SUPERMAN, WE ELECTED A MAN. FROM WHERE I STAND, WHITE, FEMALE, RETIRED "SENIOR" CITIZEN (THEY TELL ME), ON A VERY TIGHT FIXED INCOME, HE SEEMS THE MOST INTELLIGENT, HARDEST WORKING PRESIDENT THAT I CAN EVER REMEMBER. THIS FROM A FORMER REPUBLICAN WHO VOTED NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE, FOR W. FORGIVE ME. HE HAS HAD ABSOLUTELY NO BACKING FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WHICH STILL WANTS WALL STREET TO REMAIN UNREGULATED, WHO ON THE ONE HAND DO NOT WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPOSE FINES OR ANY LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS FOR THE "TOO BIG TO FAIL" FAILURES, BUT HAVE SCREAMED LONG AND LOUD ABOUT THE PRESIDENT NOT DOING ENOUGH TO CURB WALL STREET! AND STILL NO ONE SAYS, WAIT A MINUTE, THEY'RE TALKING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THEIR MOUTHS! THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BECOME MASTERS OF BAIT AND SWITCH, ON A POLITICAL, RAMP UP THE OPPOSITION LEVEL. THEY HAVE SPENT THEIR TIME DOING NOTHING CONSTRUCTIVE,AND ARE BEING PAID HANDSOMELY TO CONTINUE BY BIG BUSINESS, AND US! IF YOU WANT CHANGE, GET BEHIND THE MAN YOU VOTED INTO OFFICE. THERE ARE NO MIRACLES, IT TAKES TIME,HE'S WORKING AND HE'S MAKING PROGRESS HOWEVER SLOWLY YOU MAY FEEL, FOR US.

I see it as trying to stop the bleeding, a vote to the right just increases the bleeding. A vote left slows it by a bit but a bit is better than nothing!

The real work must be done HERE AND NOW!

You know, I disagree with almost every prominent Republican position but I sometimes find myself almost hoping they will get back in power again just because at least then I will know what the rules are. I will hate them and think they are unfair but at least I will know them.

I trust the Republican to do what they say they are going to do. They stand for the things they say they stand for. When * was in office I could point fingers and say, "Man, look how puke philosophy has messed things up".

Now those same philosophies are still messing things up but the Dems are getting the blame for it.

And as for eight years under Gore would have been any different..... Who would our VP have been if Gore had won?

Somehow I think the VP would have been running the country no matter who won.

I really DON'T want to feel this, honestly DON'T, however I'm not feeling comfortable with what I'm seeing.

Yes, there are "arguments" that could be make, or rather certain catch phrases such as... "better than McPalin" or "give them more time" and other such words spoken here as a way to keep the "wavering" still on board! While I realize Obama et al did inherit a LOT OF CRAP, which most of us know is true, I'm not seeing work toward THAT CHANGE!

What it will take to reign me back in will be some REAL CHANGE and not the "fiddling" around the edges. People are hurting and more WAR IS NOT something I can support! I've thought long and hard about ways I can support this escalation in Afghanistan, but in the end I really DON'T believe it's going to be as simple as it's being touted. My FEAR is that it's going to be MUCH LONGER and BLOODIER than we expect. Having lived through Viet Nam, and I DO realize this IS NOT Viet Nam, I don't have much faith in THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX!

That Obama has lent his ear to these people disturbs me greatly, especially when I see so much suffering here in this country with people going without food or even homes! I work locally to help where I can, but the problem is growing bigger for the less fortunate and there just doesn't seem to be enough people or resources to "cover" the problem effectively! I also hurt for the soldiers and their families who are being required to fight the fight, come back home, only to return to fight again!

And then there's ALL THE KILLING of the innocent people who most certainly are killed simply because the happen to live in countries that have corrupt, evil leaders! I have little faith that "we" can actually turn those countries around. It just seems a waste of money that only seems to pad the pockets of those who profit from WAR!

That's just one of my MAIN reasons for my feelings, but a big one. HCR seems so watered down and I fear we really don't know what the "fine print" will look like! There IS more, but these two have made me think we aren't getting the representation we THOUGHT we would!

As with many of you here, I worked very hard to get Obama and Democrats elected and I'm feeling I got cheated. While locally, Democrats rarely win... almost NEVER, I did try to contribute to candidates in other states. I won't be doing that again! Giving my money away isn't something I'm able to do because of the economy and I feel a need to "save" what I can because the future looks bleak! Another reason is because I don't see what good my money really did!

And for those of you who think this isn't "real" please take the blinders off! I can only WISH that I see a turn around, but that HOPE has evaporated for me! That I'm wrong will be a welcome outcome!

JMHO!

I am a member of a party of cowards that are in the pockets of major corporations as much as the Republicans.

I don't think Obama will ever get a vote from me again.

We'll see what the midterm report card looks like, but right now Mr. Obama needs to be put on an improvement plan if he intends to pass.

Clearly if he were on fire with us, this division would not exist and we would all be a lot more comfortable about ceding him some more time to get things done. It's not the "time" part that's the issue though, it's the things he's getting done . . . for the eternally appeased "other side" that are causing some of us to pull up and say WTF.

You have gay Americans who are subject to states rights in their marriage choices while black Americans and babtists get federal protection.

You have DADT STILL A FUCKING ISSUE!!!!! WTF?

You have a voluntary filing by the DOJ taking a stance in favor of covering up and dismissing prosecution (and liability) for condoning torture.

We have "health care" reform that is a trillion dollar gimme to the insurance industry with no guarantee of health care at all.

Damn straight we should be worried about voting for this again. Incremental change is nearly as useless as no change at all. Incremental change is certainly NOT the result of incisive leadership.

It's very discouraging. My enthusiasm is kaput and my wallet is closed.

At least with Mondale or Dukakis (against the devil... I mean, Reagan) there was something to choose. Not so much anymore since the DLC took over.

Really, I wouldn't be worried about the Republican base, they're completely fractionated. Whatever database Tom Delay had going back in '00 and '04, is completely useless now. The base has left the party in droves. Out where my bass player lives in Burbank, the Republican Party southern california headquarters is now one tiny little office in the back of a dilapidated shopping center, you wouldn't even know it was there unless you knew where to look. About 15% of the Republicans jumped ship to various minor parties, like the Constitution Party, the Conservative Party, even the Libertarians. Meanwhile the righty wingnut-fruitcakes are still trying to rally the base, ha ha ha. So, as long as liberals don't fractionate too, there's nothing to worry about.

The neocons have taken over the dems house too...period. Anyone who can't see this has their beer goggles on. We so need a plan B because it's not going to happen through our corporate media rigged elections. Nor is it going to happen by writing our respective elected leaders who hired drones to send us back an irrelevant response.

No illusions as to what I get from an R.
Schmarmy smiling faced dems are giving me the same thing right now.
They can go home and figure out their own healthcare like I have to.

The Republicans will make their gains in the battleground districts and states. Areas where people think Obama and Dems in general are too liberal.