If you are serious about change, why not get behind the one politician who has done far more than flap his lips? That one Democratic who works quietly and steadfastly for the very principles that the Democratic Party is supposed to stand for? That one who grew up in poverty and thus has an outlook that is 180 degrees opposite that of George Bush? One who has clearly, specifically, and in no uncertain terms described a Vision for America that will take us out of the hell we've gotten into.
It's what we need, Howard, a real Vision for America, and the actual steps that will take us there. I challenge you and the DNC to show me one person who has shown more vision, more courage, and more adherence to principles than Congressman Dennis Kucinich. He has time and time again "gone out on a limb" to put actions ahead of words. He has more clearly thought through and defined practical and intelligible solutions to the problems this country faces. He has boldly posted those without mincing words for the world to see on his website, where they've been for years. He spoke out strongly against the Iraq War, advice that in itself would have already saved us untold lives and trillions of dollars, dollars that are so desperately needed here at home.
As long as the DNC continues "playing politics," it is aiding and abetting and directly fueling business as usual, and offering absolutely nothing that will change the course of this country.
Given that there is one and only one politician who has offered a real vision for our country, and shown that he is willing to do whatever it takes to implement it, I propose that the DNC appoint this person, Dennis Kucinich, as Head of the Democratic National Committee. Let this country and the world know what the Democratic Party stands for, and what it is really going to do to bring about changes. Let us stop flapping our lips, offer no more snake oil in the form of worn out and meaningless words, and get down to the business of creating a livable society and world.
I spent many dollars, many phone calls, and many hours drumming up the vote business for the Democratic Party. I inadvertently damaged a valued friendship. To see the DNC immediately do an about face and cater to those in Washington who so clearly don't belong there, is nothing short of nauseating.
If there is some particular aspect of the DNC, or personality within the party that I have overlooked, which holds a higher Vision for America than the one Dennis Kucinich holds out, I am most anxious to hear it. But short of that, the DNC is leading the country in ever larger and more insane circles, squandering what natural and cultural heritage we might have left that is worth passing on to our children and future Americans.
I offer this letter as a standing challenge. If you can't rise to the occasion, either by proving me wrong with some vision I have not yet learned about, or by elevating Dennis Kucinich to the position that he and he alone is worthy of, please do not expect my vote or my support, ever again. The time for game playing has long ago expired. If the Democrats now elected to office can't do more than cow-tow to those behind the scenes, or fear for their own shadows, the slide into further chaos, hopelessness and despair, and eventually, the collapse of this country, is as inevitable as the rising of the sun.
Does the DNC have what it takes to make the changes we so desperately need? To stand tall on the bully pulpit that is theirs if they but use it? Or are we going to see business as usual, until the Democrats come crying for money and help again in two years, telling us why we should elect whatever blind and gutless person they then hold out before us?
The hour is late for this rapidly vanishing democracy called the United States of America. It may well be too late, even with the greatest effort. But its demise is assured when there is no vision, no tangible hope on the horizon, and no indication that the light of reason might triumph over the dark forces of greed.
Geery lived off the grid for 15 years in an earth-sheltered, solar heated home, while his kids learned in school that solar energy isn't feasible. NAPTA hosts a page on Geery's foibles in education, and explains how he got his butt fired from a tenured teaching position. Here's a short clip of his most recent solar contraption; for more on that project, and Geery's contention that the Wright Brothers took a wrong turn, please visit his airship page (hyperblimp.com). Apparently, Geery is the only one in the world to respond to Osama bin Laden, call bullshit on him and George together, and expose them for the pansy ass rich kids that they are. Unfortunately, bin Laden has been too scared to write back and explain himsself; and George is still working hard to finish his goat book.
Thanks for a reality-based view of our world and the Dems in particular. Our democracy has been vanishing for quite some time under two-party control of our political system. That's why I call it a delusional democracy. So many people get fooled or practice self-delusion because of campaign propaganda, the main purpose of which is to make distinctions between the two parties, when in reality their roots are planted in the same soil - corrupt big money.
by
Joel S. Hirschhorn (118 articles, 22 quicklinks, 54 diaries, 472 comments)
on Monday, November 20, 2006 at 10:11:01 AM
I had thought myself the only person to believe Howard Dean a phoney and an opportunist. I noted his exceedingly cozy relationship with the GOP while LT. Governor and even more so as Governor of Vermont. I also was aware of his contentious relationship with Democrats during that same period, thus, when suddenly becoming a darling of the left during his ill fated run at the nomination, I took much heat for remaining unconvinced of his sincerity.
His winning 50 state strategy notwithstanding, and that is easily called into account as this past election was in no way an endorsement of Democrats just a slap in th eface of George's policies, I would look for nothing progressive from Howie.
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ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments)
on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 7:20:24 AM
I thought they loved us. Didn't Howard Dean say that he was going to take alll of that campaign donation money from the corprocrats and return it so they wouldn't "owe" them anything? Aren't the Democrats working to change the way campaigns are financed so that people aren't already bought and paid for before thety take their seat in congress? He didn't say that? I bet he lives in a big house and sends his kids to private schools and pays more on his credit cards in one month than I make total with my lousy college public safety job and my Army pension in one year.
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Timothy V. Gatto (348 articles, 177 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 575 comments)
on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 10:35:52 AM
I went through a long, painful period of disillusionment with the Democratic Party. It didn't end until Fall 2004, when I registered Green. I don't expect my party to occupy the White House (or even a US Senate seat) any time soon, but at least I no longer lose sleep wondering how I can be registered in the same party with feckless reptiles like Joe Lieberman.
Dennis Kucinich will always have my vote, regardless of his party affiliation. He is one of the few US Congressmen to put liberty, justice and the Constitution above partisan politics. And for precisely this reason, the one job for which he is worst-suited is Big Party Bossman.
The Republican and Democratic Parties are big tents, and the only thing one should expect to find inside a big tent is a three-ring circus. Congressman Kucinich serving Ohio effectively and vocally as a Democrat is a credit to his intestinal fortitude. But it is NOT evidence of vision in the Democratic Party -- a quivering, drooling hulk that exists only to vie for supremacy in an endless game of king-of-the-hill.
Leave the ringmastering to guys like Carville, Rove and Dean. There are too few legislators like Dennis Kucinich to begin with.
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Prónius (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Friday, November 24, 2006 at 11:35:13 PM
