Blaming the wrong bad guys

For a long time it has really annoyed me the way people rail against Wal-Mart and blame it for all sorts of crap. The trade deficit, low-wage jobs, loss of small businesses, etc. Not that Wal-Mart is some kind of charity organization, but that Wal-Mart is simply the result of the actual problem. If Rapture happened tonight and god only took Wal-mart, tomorrow somebody would be stepping up to fill the exact same role and commit the exact same sins. Problem not solved.

Take the hubub over Dr. Laura and the "n-word!" People get really, really pissed off if you use that word, but they seem way less pissed off about actual racist behavior. Dr. Laura was a horrible racist bitch for a long time, but nobody seemed to give much of a shit about it. But drop the n-bomb, and she's gone almost instantly. But the problem isn't the n-word, the problem is the racism that leads to the use of it. And it's the racism that people let slide. On a similar note, Trent Lott didn't get in hot water for being a racist shithead of a senator for years, he got in hot water for words that he said to and about Strom Thurmond. The result of this atmosphere is that the racist guys I know are still racist, and still use the n-word, they just prefix it with a look around the room. Problem not solved.

Look at the endless blaming of Nader and third parties. People around here actually push the idea that it's somehow Nader's fault that we're in Iraq. Because he gave Bush the election or some such shit. Well, Nader was shut out of this last election and we're still in Iraq. Problem not solved.

Personally, I've been blaming the wrong bad guys, myself. I've been operating under the assumption that the democratic leadership is the reason the democrats in Washington act like a bunch of spineless panderers. No, the leadership is the result of the problem. The problem is us. Well, no, not "us." I won't take the blame for this bullshit. The problem is best illustrated by Meek. Or rather, his election fight.

The democrats on the streets have sold out Meek. The democrats on DU have sold out Meek. DU itself has sold out Meek. In all of the discussion around here about Meek, I have seen nothing about his stance on issues. Nothing about his voting record. Nothing about his campaign. Nothing even about him. It's all about Rubio. Fear of Rubio. I've heard lots about Rubio's plans--that they're scary and to be feared. The democrats on the streets are just so damned scared of Rubio and all of his supporters that they'll abandon everything--even each other--in the face of them. Look at the arguments around here: fear Rubio. So, you sell out Meek without even a thought about him. No discussion about his stance because none of you care--you're too busy being scared of Rubio. You know, you Meek abandoners didn't decide your own votes--Rubio's illiterate, racist fans did. Way to go.

So, that's the party platform now: fear. Fear of terrorism, fear of idiots, fear of Sarah Goddamned Palin. It's no wonder Democrats on The Hill don't stand for anything and utterly refuse to stick their necks out--their voters will sell them out if the republicans can field a scary enough candidate or stir up enough bullshit about "electability." How many around here call yourselves "progressives" because you've allowed the republicans and TV heads to shame you out of calling yourselves liberals? Hell, you've given up the luxury of naming yourselves!

Fuck that. I am a Liberal. I vote exclusively on principal--even in cases where that requires withholding my vote from all candidates. Candidates will earn my vote or I will not vote for them. And I am not afraid to fight a losing battle, because it's the fight that matters. I align myself with Democrats because their platform is in line with what I think is right. But when they abandon that platform they abandon any claim on my vote.

The important and potentially best feature of our democracy is that the leaders reflect the people. Be as unwavering as you say you want the democrats to be and be ready for a long fight to get there. Brave people elect brave leaders. Cowards and opportunists elect more of the same.

Enjoy your election day.

still, you are entitled to your opinions for whatever they are worth.

Miss Molly Ivins from your state.

Crist is a goner.
He never could win.
He has divided the democrats more than anybody.

Meek is an anti-war, liberal, progressive candidate.
There is no reason to not give him complete support.

And like you said, our leaders now know some of us will cut and run.
No wonder we can't get anything done?

are supporting Crist. He will end up voting with the Republicans, just like Rubio would. Tweedle-dumb and tweedle-dumber. I may be a pragmatic liberal, but I would never vote for Crist.

Nice to know for sure.

It will be good to see crist ride off into the sunset.

Anyone who thinks Crist is on our side in any way is confused. Once elected, he'll just join the rest of the Repugnicants.

It's funny, you and I can fight like all get out on other issues, but when it comes to being Democrats, the unity is great.

If only we could bottle that unity and spread it around, our country would make true progress.