Why should we Depend on Obama's campaign team to Beat the right wing machine?
Why should we depend upon the proven-to-be-spineless democratic congress or Democratic party to protect our rights. There are millions of motivated, smart progressives who have the ability to make a lot more things happen than we're currently seeing happen.
We need to join forces, but not in the old ways. We must tap the power of the web-- the bottom up cooperation, power of our diversity and the economies the web enables us to achieve to come together for projects that tap the potential power we possess but have not yet wielded. There's a new book out, Crowdsourcing , by Jeff Howe, which describes how thousands or millions of people coming together have revolutionized the way things get done-- wikipedia, bird migration exploration, mapping of craters on mars-- yes, even NASA is using this approach. We need to use this on-line collaboration to come up with ideas and plans and then implement them.
We've had enough, depending upon the Obama team or the Democrats or the Greens or Nader or Mike Gravel or Ron Paul has not worked. America is under attack. It has been under attack by extremists for eight years. If they win the next election, if they gain ground in congress, then the US, Democracy, the rights of humanity are at great risk. It's time we bypass the old ways of getting things done.
Maybe it will take boycotts. Maybe it will take the kinds of civil actions reverend Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. Maybe we'll need to overwhelm phone services.
A few things are for sure. We have to act quickly and we can't let turf issues between different progressive orgs keep it from happening.
How do we get started? We need to build coalitions-- at the regional, state and national level. We need to coordinate and communicate. I'm going to build a website where such coalitions can come together and communicate. It should be up by next week. Meanwhile, what are your ideas? And if your answer is "make phone calls and canvas for Obama," you belong on Dailykos or some other site that is run to support Democrats.
Progressives have been repeatedly used, abused, betrayed, lied to and let down by Democrats who take them for granted. It's time to take action as progressives. Where shared interests overlap with Democrats or Greens or others, great, otherwise, we need to take care of our own progressive values and advocacy issues. The Democrats sure have not done so.
What are your ideas? You don't have to have the full idea. There are plenty of others to flesh out even the hint of a concept that has some potency and potential.
If you or your org is part of a progressive coalition, anywhere, please talk about it in a comment-- status, activity, number of members, number of orgs, number of people on combined email list.
There are tens of thousands of peace, justice and ecological justice orgs in the US. If we join together, there is SO much we can do that we have not tackled or had the resources to do separately. Let's get smarter, collectively, and make things happen.
Rob Kall is executive editor and publisher of OpEdNews.com, President of Futurehealth, Inc, inventor . He is also published regularly on the Huffingtonpost.com and is a columnist with Northstarwriters.com. He is a frequent Speaker on Politics, Impeachment, The art, science and power of story, heroes and the hero's journey, Positive Psychology, Stress, Biofeedback and a wide range of subjects. He is a campaign consultant specializing in tapping the power of stories for issue positioning, stump speeches and debates. He recently retired as organizer of several conferences, including StoryCon, the Summit Meeting on the Art, Science and Application of Story and The Winter Brain Meeting on neurofeedback, biofeedback, Optimal Functioning and Positive Psychology. See more of his articles here and, older ones, here.
To learn more about me and OpEdNews.com, check out this article.
and there are Rob's quotes, here.
To Watch me on youtube, having a lively conversation with John Conyers, Chair of the House Judiciary committee, click here Now, wouldn't you like to see me on the political news shows, representing progressives. If so, tell your favorite shows to bring me on and refer them to this youtube video
My radio show, The Rob Kall Show, runs 9-10 PM EST Wednesday evenings, on AM 1360, WNJC and is archived on www.whiterosesociety.org Or listen to it streaming, live at either www.wnjc1360.com or here.
A few declarations.
-While I'm registered as a Democrat, I consider myself to be a dynamic critic of the Democratic party, just as, well, not quite as much, but almost as much as I am a critic of republicans.
-My articles express my personal opinion, not the opinion of this website.
Good article and question, I would say the following:
I believe Obama and his team will find the right way to present his message to the country such that they will beat McCain & Palin. That being said, I am not relying on that in any way.
To avoid another right wing administration, I will write an article every day if necessary exposing McCain and Palin for what they are.
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Steven Leser (226 articles, 49 quicklinks, 34 diaries, 1630 comments)
on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 1:34:38 PM
Education Levels of the Candidates: Shocking Disparity!
Has American finally succumed to having been "DUMBED DOWN" for so many decades by television to accept a Republican candidate who graduated 5th from the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy?
Enlightened Voter September 2nd, 2008 5:13 pm ET
And I quote, "Only in Republican America would a black man with a law degree from Harvard, 12 years in politics, four years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and manager of one of the most impressively flawless and forward thinking presidential campaigns ever not be ready for the presidency while a white female evangelical with 19 months in national politics and a bachelors in journalism is considered 'ready on day one'." Lee C. Burs, Jr. quoted on CNN
see further articles on my blog at mybarackobama.com
This a good example of education elitism. People who believe in educational elitism say that you are not qualified for anything unless you graduated from a 'good' college at the top of your class. Hogwash.
I worked in industry for over 20 years with a great many people who had doctorate degrees from 'good' universities. More than a few of these people were actually very dumb when it came to business. They could write wonderfull essays or get up and talk at length on any subject, but they could not 'do' anything practical requiring executive skills like managing, analyzing, organizing, or deciding. Some of these people were worthless employees who managed to get peter-principled into executive/managerial jobs where they failed miserably, hurting themselves, the company, and the people who worked for them.
On the other hand I know a ton of people without an education from a 'good' university who, through their experience, are very good at what they do. One woman I know, 'just' a high school grad, made it to vice president of purchasing in our company, working her way up from a clerk. She was smart, tough, and had the experience. A great executive. She had a couple of guys from 'good' universities working for her.
Senator Obama has had a wonderful education. I would trade my state unversity degree for his any day of the week. His resume beyond his education makes him almost qualified to manage a shoe department in Wal-Mart. I would bet that Wal-Mart is not looking for ex-community organizers as Shoe Department Managers. Most people would consider 'Managing' a political campaign as not a real experience that qualifies one to be president.
Don't look down your elitist nose at those who did not have the connections, the grades, the affirmative action creds, or the money to get into the 'best' universities. A lot of these 'uneducated' people get very resentful of being treated that way.
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Mad Jayhawk (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 399 comments)
on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 10:55:52 PM
i have only one thing to say to your comment . . .
bullsh*t. we need the best and brightest -- not the dim bulbs that think that book-learn'n somehow makes a person weak. You are the elitist for making the assumption that a lack of education means you're smarter. this is the logic at the rotten center of the republican party, and part of a strategy to make sure we are all too stupid to see them fleece us while they destroy everything that makes our country great. Peddle this crap somewhere else. We've seen what stupid can do.
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mysticalme (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments)
on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 7:36:52 PM
Education is a basis. A good education prepares one to learn much more. It "teaches" a person to learn. It provides a groundwork to expand upon.
True that in many cases people have risen above a "modest" education to achieve a lot. But that says much about the determination of the individual. The imagine that same determination PLUS the good education!
Some times just plain dumb luck enters the picture as well. Bill Gates comes to mind. He dropped out of college to devote his time to Microsoft. The timing was everything because of the, then new,PC. His story could not be duplicated today unless some totally new, as-yet unknown "thing" were to pop into existance.
I friend of mine made millions with pocket pagers. He owned the licenses and transmitters in many parts of the country at JUST the right time before cell phones came out. He could not do that today....timing and luck.
My Cousin has no formal education beyond high school. She is the purchasing director for a major hospital. She worked her way up. Someone with a "formal" education would just get there faster.
Walmart would not hire Obama based on his education except as a corporate lawyer. They want dumbed down people who will work for minimum wage and who won't ask too many questionsor expect to be treated very well.
So I agree...not every success story involves a higher education. But the facts also support that with such an education increases your chances of advancement, of finding the good job in the first place, and of receiving the best pay.
When it comes to who leads the country, that is NOT a positon where we can afford someone who has no clue. We need someone who can hit the ground running. No one can be "trained" for that job but someone with a good education starts the game with a far better chance of grasping the details fast.
I will vote for education!
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Paul Kruger (33 articles, 1 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 275 comments)
on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 10:51:05 AM
This weekend I intend on making a series of "campaign ads" aimed at McCain and Palin's credibility. Ads that will help those less informed voters see who those two really are so they vote for Obama. My ads will go after:
McCain's stance on torture Palin's "task from God" John McCain's disregard for human life with him singing "bomb bomb bomb Iran" Palin's lack of experience and ability to put her country first Palin's attempt at book burning
It is clear Obama won't win as the nice guy and as McCain said in yesterday's debate politics is a rough and tumble endeavor. It is time people see "bumper sticker" style attacks on these two for their actions and stances.
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Joe Bechtold (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 18 comments)
on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 1:56:00 PM
I like your idea and to expand on it I would add that the voters we need to convince are the undereducated, last minute couch potato who will go out to vote only when they see themselves loosing something, or if they get angry. We need to appeal to their anger, passion, frustrations.
I am past 69 and have participated in many campaigns and also served as a State Representative as well as mayor. So I am an activist. I usually lost my reelections due to my driving need to "get things done" In other words I was dis-elected because I did to much, new projects, transparency etc... Voters seem to want someone like themselves.. A bit dull, but not stupid.
How to get them to come over???
I suggest we string a video of the many lies and illegal acts perpetrated by Republicans and over a 20 year period which they can understand.. Smaller themes, like the home issues they all face, Bush speaking about job creation, McCain on Free Trade, War on Drugs diverting money from social programs, health care, corruption, Washington being bought by Lobbyist and Special Interests. Sex escapades of legislators, but especially lying...Lying is a Sin////Lying has been effective in winning elections. You get my drift..
I would love to have the talent of some of you Cyber jockies, but alas to late for me...I do however want a future for my kids and grandkids....That is a good reason for making a change in the Right Wing Politics of the present and past,,,,,Maybe presenting the future as it will surely be if we don't change the direction and tone of our Government. These are my ideas.
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psycheboat (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 8 comments)
on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 5:42:56 PM
The way things are going, it doesn't look like Obama wants to win this election. The only alternative is to prevent McCain being elected.
The way to do that is to use the same technique McCain is using to defeat Obama, tell lies, great big lies.
We can do this by asking questions we don't know the answer to, as Corsi did in his book about Obama. We don't know, we're just asking questions.
Did McCain actually say that he thinks Palin is a virgin? Wait, that wasn't his latest lie, that one was that Palin never asked for earmarks as governor. Since that isn't any more true that that Palin is a virgin, McCain could just as easily think she's a virgin. We need to clear that up by asking McCain that.
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Ed Martin (122 articles, 0 quicklinks, 34 diaries, 145 comments)
on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 3:12:23 PM
I think that all of the people are moving in the right direction. Most of us know that Obama and McCain are not the direction we need to go in. We also know that the MIC & MSM will not allow the likes of Paul, Nader & McKinney to gain any ground.
We have to do this on our own just like the forefathers did!
We need to wake people up and get them to go to alternative sites and make their own judgements. If they keep watching the tube getting sucked in by the boobs and the flicker effect, they will be sleeping when death knocks on their doors. Those of us that have chosen the righteous path to truth enlightenment will know what should have been done. We need the revolution and we need it now. Peaceful disobedience will rain supreme but if we do not act now and act fast, all that we are doing will have been done for no reason at all..
If you have committed to Obama, his minions have already taken your vote for granted. You no longer count, as it were. Now, as Jimmy Carter and every Democrat since 1984, Mr. Obama is trolling for more support from financiers and soccer moms. This formulation has been rousingly unsuccessful, with the exception of the redoubtable Clintons.
As Democrat-insider Lawrence O'Donnell famously said, "The Left? Actually, we never considered them. Where are they going to go?"
Presidential campaigns are blunt instruments in the people's hands. We don't have to declare fealty to anyone. We make our commitment only at the ballot box. In the meantime, we need to change Obama's message. He never talks about the poor. He never talks about the Federal Reserve Bank. He never talks about debt. He never talks about his vote on FISA and the PATRIOT act. He never talks about the Constitutional mandate to impeach.
Maybe, you feel we need to keep quiet now. To the contrary, this is the ONLY time we may be heard.
It's time to fill the empty suit....
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More Voices (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 11 comments)
on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 3:40:45 PM
We've had enough, depending upon the Obama team or the Democrats or the Greens or Nader or Mike Gravel or Ron Paul has not worked. America is under attack.
I don't agree, though, that it's been going on for just 8 years. From a foreign policy perspective, it's been going on for between 50 and 100. And now, those foreign policy stances are beginning to dramatically infringe on our "domestic policy" (read: liberty).
I like how someone put it on a radio show I was listening to earlier today: it's not about Repubs vs. Dems or Conservatives vs. Liberals. It's about Globalists vs. Constitutionalists.
If we really want liberty, we can support neither Obama nor McCain.
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Frank Staheli (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 30 comments)
on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 3:41:11 PM
I want to thank you very much for your opinion. I have had the same one for so long and glad to know someone agrees with my decision. I have considered not voting, BUT I feel it is my duty and my right, so I guess I will have to really look over all the candidates and MAYBE make up my mind. I have voted since FDR's last term and I feel that this is one of the worst election campaigns ever, with no one capable of holding that office.
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Margaret Denson (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 25 comments)
on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 10:47:02 PM
Enough of the lies and partisan circumlocutions (i.e. bullshit). What America needs are champions, Let's find some. Helpful hint: They're not likely to be found under any Republican or Democrat hat, nor behind the ubiquitous flag lapel button.
We'll know them when we see them and hear them, their requisite qualities being Integrity, Courage, Intelligence and Goodwill.
We need them, America needs them. Humanity needs them.
Our time is running out, and yes, things can indeed get worse.
I'm uncertain how to proceed, but I will volunteer for northeast Florida.
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Rafe Pilgrim (32 articles, 0 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 43 comments)
on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 4:01:04 PM
What I propose is a self-writing will-of-the-people web site that has ongoing statistical analysis on content and a lottery as motive.
A possible configuration might be something like “Twenty Questions”, where a user has to answer twenty multiple-choice questions in order to write one question. This gives the software the necessary input to evaluate many other responses, and decide how to categorize them. One use per week and your in the big lotto. Your Email notification awaits you! Use as much as you like, and increase your chances, as long as you are consistent. Changes in your patterns will bring attention to any hypocrisy.
The use of gambling, to inspire the masses to log on, is key the sucess of this plan.
Republican always go for the throat in elections. For them the truth can be irrelivant because public perception is everything. This is how they elected an inadequate moron for president twice.
If the Republicans were running against McCain Here are some things that they would have done last month.
1. Find a way to get this idea into the mainstream media. "It has been known by some, that early on, because of being a war prisoner McCain harbours terrible anger at Vietnam and Asians in general because they tortured him for years. Some say that McCain has a hidden odd phsycosis of hatred and anger that drives him to the pinnacle of power so he can reap hell on earth to the people that tortured him so horribly." If elected he may not act on these feelings, but he does have them.
You finish the list.
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Kyle Murphy (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 24 comments)
on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 4:56:39 PM
Mr. Kall, are we to assume from this article that there is a crack in that wall of relying on people putting pressure on Dems to do what they should be doing without us brow-beating them into doing the right thing?
Has is finally come to pass that you realize that both major parties have been playing us for fools and that neither one of them is there to do our bidding, but rather to keep us divided and focusing our attention anywhere but where it needs to be?
Are you going to use your talent and influence to garner the enormous power independent progressives have and use it to smash this phony two-party system?
Boy, I sure hope so.
Let me know how I can help.
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Mr M (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 1687 comments)
on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 5:01:11 PM
I have long felt that Republicans and Democrats are cut from the same cloth. If we look at history over the past 100 years or so, it is hard to distinguish the differences in policy. Which one is the more warlike?? Did you know that a Democrat was president at the beginning of every single war fought by the US during the entire 20th Century, except for the very last one. How can Democrats claim to be the “doves” between the two when Johnson lied to start Vietnam, Wilson was reelected on the statement “He kept us out of war,” only to turn around and fill the Lusitania with arms destined for Great Britain DESPITE Germany’s threat that ANY ship on the high seas transporting arms would be considered a warship. The Germans even took out full page ads in the New York newspapers to warn us. Did the DEMOCRATS listen?? The peace/dove party???
And what’s this about Republicans being “fiscally responsible”??? Ever hear of the Great Depression?? FDR didn’t start that. Hoover did. He was a Republican last time I checked. How about the guy that took us off of the gold standard??? Richard Milhouse Nixon. And the greatest fiscal debt before now was owned by Ronald Reagan. But Bush has done him one better. And the Republicans NEVER raise taxes??? Where did the famous expression “read my lips, no new taxes” come from, Suzy Creamcheese???
It’s a farce Every four years Americans are forced to vote for the lesser of two evils, Tweedledee or Tweedledum. It amazes me to no end to see my Democrat friends tell me time after time, “We have to vote Democrat this time. The country depends on it. Don’t waste your vote. Voting for a third party candidate is like throwing away your vote. You might as well be voting for the Republicans.” They said this in 1980, 1984, 1988, 2000 and 2004. As I recall, there was a Democrat president between those elections. Apparently, whatever he did doesn’t matter. If we don’t vote Democrat THIS TIME, the hounds of Hell will light our country on fire and take us for a kebab run with Satan and the Gang. Every single friggin’ time, that’s what I hear.
Then 2006 came along and guess what, the Dems won!!! Impeachment was the order of the day, right??? Didn’t they IMMEDIATELY stop funding the wars??? And didn’t they take the Patriot Act I & II and repeal them??? Of course, they immediately said, “Stop,” to the illegal wiretapping, right??
Someday, Americans will realize that the politicians don’t run the country. The corporate elitists run the country. They can do this because they have purchased TWO political parties. ALL politicians who are Republican or Democrat MUST follow the agenda of their respective party. If not, it’s adios muchacho. The Dem party told Nancy Pelosi. NO IMPEACHMENT. And she said, “Yes sir!!” The Dem party told their elected comrades, “Vote for ALL the monies necessary to fund these wars!!” And they ALL said, “Yes, sir.” (and don’t tell me that the ½ dozen or so who were “allowed” to vote differently made any difference in the world. It obviously didn’t because the party got its wish).
Well what about Kucinich and Paul?? They don’t vote like the others. They say all the right things. They stand for our beliefs. ………………… AND, they are not electable, period. They are what is commonly referred to as, “Winners of a losing battle.” People get to vote for them and walk away saying, “Well, I voted for the right person. We didn’t win, but we fought the good fight.” No, you didn’t fight the good fight. You got suckered into voting for a known loser. If either of them were to run OUTSIDE of the two parties owned and operated by the corporate elitists, then I’d say “Vote for them.” But as long as they adhere to the agenda of either party, they MUST FOLLOW EXCLUSIVELYthe agenda of the party as president. I doubt the billionaires who fund those parties are going to allow a maverick to do something without their consent. “I paid $100,000,000 to this party and DAMMIT, it will do what I want!!” That’s the way it’s been for over 100 years.
Have fun with the charade. People will look at differences like, “Who said pig?” “What did her daughter do?” And other SUPER IMPORTANT ISSUES that confront America today. My money’s on McCain, even though it would make absolutely no difference who wins. McCain has been the lackey long enough and he deserves to wear the brass ring for a while. Obama’s time will come. Meanwhile, the US will continue to flaunt its military, spend more and more on controlling crucial resources overseas killing as many innocent people as necessary. The world will continue to shake its head at us wondering why it seems that Americans are always so clueless about what is really going on. I’ve seen things here on the inside, and for eight years, on the outside. When you live in a foreign country, the US looks entirely different. But since most Americans never do that, they’ll never understand what the world sees.
Enjoy the party. Be sure to pat Obama on the back and say, “Nice job. Maybe next time.” Shake McCain’s hand and wish him well. And then don’t forget to go home and pray to the Almighty that the elitists don’t do something REALLY stupid to cause WWIII. After all, this is THEIR country and has been for a long time. It’s theirs to destroy if they so wish.
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John Little (23 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 70 comments)
on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 5:12:03 PM
Ralph Nader has always advocated grass roots, bottom-up politics. His presidential candidacy is a vehicle for raising issues that the majors do not wish to discuss. I would not diminish the importance of Nader's campaign, as Kall suggests. It's all we have at this time to crystallize opposition to the majors. The progressives, the left mags and commentators are disgracefully ignoring Nader's heroic campaign and backing Obama, in spite of Obama's clear turn to the right and flip-flops. They have chosen him and are embarrassed by him, but they are stuck! Join the Nader campaign, which now has him on 45 state ballots with improving polls and the support of other third party advocates, eg Ron Paul. Ralph Nader is our best shot at this time.
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goedel (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments)
on Friday, September 12, 2008 at 5:59:58 PM
