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.

by Steven Leser (255 articles, 58 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 2147 comments [63 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 1:34:38 PM

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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

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/stephenfox

Your comments containing your insights are absolutely invaluable!!!!!

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 8:21:26 PM

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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.

by Mad Jayhawk (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 652 comments [56 recommended, 3 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 10:55:52 PM

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ok. whatever you say.

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 7:29:57 AM

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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.

by mysticalme (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments) on Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 7:36:52 PM

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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!

by Paul Kruger (39 articles, 1 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 304 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Sep 15, 2008 at 10:51:05 AM

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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.

by Joe Bechtold (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 42 comments) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 1:56:00 PM

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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.

by psycheboat (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 12 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 5:42:56 PM

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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.

by Ed Martin (139 articles, 0 quicklinks, 35 diaries, 173 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 3:12:23 PM

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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..

http://www.grizzlybay.org/SarahPalinInfoPage.htm

by Hal Smith (4 articles, 1 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 67 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 3:31:24 PM

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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.... 

by More Voices (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 11 comments) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 3:40:45 PM

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Rob,

I completely agree with your statement:

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.

by Frank Staheli (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 37 comments [16 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 3:41:11 PM

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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.

by Margaret Denson (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 25 comments) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 10:47:02 PM

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Go get 'em, Rob, I'm with you.

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.

by Rafe Pilgrim (63 articles, 0 quicklinks, 19 diaries, 84 comments [12 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 4:01:04 PM

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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.

A rough template can be found at .

by Vincent Paiano (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 10 comments) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 4:37:40 PM

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   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.

by Kyle Murphy (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 25 comments) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 4:56:39 PM

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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.

by Mr M (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 66 diaries, 2845 comments [654 recommended, 27 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 5:01:11 PM

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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 EXCLUSIVELY  the 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.

by John Little (43 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 177 comments [18 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 5:12:03 PM

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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.

by goedel (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 5:59:58 PM

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Impeachment is stalling.  I don't trust Obama and Biden to make sure that it happens after they get elected.

Further, impeachment hearings would provide the single biggest boost Obama could possibly get. 

 Let's pull out all the stops and make impeachment hearings begin BEFORE the election. 

by Petercapecod (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 8 comments) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 6:14:20 PM

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Even though I have met them both enought times for them to recognise me, I never heard them bring up these issues that need addressing and i dont bet that they think they can get elected if they do, so who knows what is really in their thoughts...furthermore, the dem party leaders can only come up with a campaign to tell the media to call palin a serial lyer...what kind of thinking-it-through is that.....

by karmacounselor (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 106 comments [7 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 9:52:42 PM

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CONTEST

To write a single simple sentence, that if voted on by the public in a national referendum, would easily pass and unite the country, and restore the American dream.

My entry would be....

“NO ICCUMBANT CAN RUN FOR OFFICE”

Everyone can understand this simple rule. It is very clear, easy to enforce, and has a very small constituency: incumbents.

 When you have a job, you are supposed to do it. Running for office has become a full time job, and we can no longer have our public servants do both at the same time.

This might fix everything. The constant flow of new talent would stop all the silliness on the floors of congress because those elected will want to do the job and leave a legacy of performance to run on the next time he or she runs for an office.

It very well may restore ethics to our government.

by Vincent Paiano (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 10 comments) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 6:39:25 PM

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Both parties have done in progressives over the past hundred plus years, Republicans pretty much torched the progressive party at the end of the last century and both would do it again, if given the chance. Personally I feel there is room at the table for more than one group, we just have to convince the American public, policy is not about winning elections, it is about having enough divergent views represented to make for a policy discussion instead of an "either or fight". If people are done with supporting losers or winners who treat the voters as the losers, then they will stop betting on that two party horse race. If the field broadens, and several parties start pulling say 10 % of the vote from each divergent group, you can be sure we as the little guys, will have clout. When that happens our group dynamic needs to be such we can work together in issue coalitions to pressure change in government or the powers that be face the loss of control over congress.  Election races with tight margains they can't afford to lose and maintain control will be the first order of business in organizing a third and fourth party candidate. This is going to take time, and in close races between the two normal party favorites, our voting bloc will be considered powerful. We just need to know how to hold the feet of those who want our help to the proverbial fire. Screw us, and we won't forget you ! That should not be an idol threat, but we can't do this alone, we must work together to stop the steam rolling of both major parties.

by Steve Hanken (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 37 comments [7 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 6:42:37 PM

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I had the problem solved with my voting by buying a pair of nose plugs to wear when I go to vote.

I do think your idea is a great one  and a necessary one. I am trying to get some ppl involved in my home town, in a VERY RED state. It's a videocast /radio show and I hope to speak on it in a few weeks. If I can get some interested in OEN online reading, that can add numbers.

Great call on this Rob.

by shirley reese (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 592 comments [98 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 8:47:26 PM

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The national parties are interested in the status quo as they see it.  This will never change because there are institutionalized safeguards the national parties have built into our political system to deny citizens the opportunity to change anything.  Gerrymandering is one.  Lack of term limits is another.  Some of our worst congresspersons would not be in office right now if there were term limits..  Instead these clowns are voted in again and again by the ignorant public.   Legislation that actually benefits the people instead of special interests might have a chance of passing.   Gerrymandering was instituted for a good reason but has now has become bastardized to the point of sheer idiotacy.   Look at Arizona's 2nd Congressional District as an example and to have a good laugh.

Congresspersons do not work for you.  They work for special interests(not just businesses, but unions, and groups like environmentalists, AARP, NRA, ACLU, Planned Parenthood, etc).  A congressperson who gets into office with the idea of representing his/her folks back home is quickly taken into the back room and beaten into line by their own party and/or by special interests.  Look at all the party line votes.  Look at how legislation gets loaded up with favors for business, labor, interest groups, etc.  This has to stop.  It is bankrupting us and is corrupting our government.  These are nothing but political payoffs.  Usually for contributions, support or votes.

Earmarks are corrupting our system of government.  All communities, special interests, and local politicians want them and congress is happy to provide them under cover of darkness.  Even a reformer like Palin went after them.  Obama loves them and I really don't fault him for doing so.   I thought the Democratic Congress, to their credit, was going to ban earmarks but the earmarks kept coming.  McCain says that he will ban them.  I doubt that will happen, but it is great that he even says that he will.  He wil have to use military force to get congress to abandon earmarks.  We need someone eventually to stand up and end these things. 

And give the President a true line item veto to keep congress from playing political games with legislation (a bill to fund benefits for veterans loaded up with earmarks for pet projects or wasteful and unneeded projects for example).  Let all legislation pass or fail on its own merits and not just because it is attached to a bill no one will vote against or for because they do not want to seen as being against or for something.

If we want to reform our government and make it more responsive to the will of the people we need to enact term limits, end gerrymandering, give the President a true line item veto, and end earmarks.   That will be a good start.  Then completely overhaul the tax code.

We, the people, need to put our political self interests aside and come together on these things.  As Americans we deserve better government than we are getting.

by Mad Jayhawk (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 652 comments [56 recommended, 3 rejected]) on Friday, Sep 12, 2008 at 10:25:08 PM

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that thinks for a moment that working within the system will allow for any change to that system is way up in the ether. In fact, as commendable as all of the above comments are, and as equally commendable the opinion of this editorial are, it is all wasted effort.

The only tool we have to affect change is our money. The only way to use that tool is to withhold it. Until all Americans with serious concerns for our freedoms and our very future decide to gather together and withhold taxes NOTHING is going to change and we can argue political ideology or various methods to implement change all day long, as we do now, to no avail. 

All of you need to wake up to the reality that surrounds you and look carefully at the juggernaut, the huge, powerful and overwhelming institution that government is and ask yourselves a serious question. You want change for the average American; honesty in politics, no war, economic security, affordable health care, quality of education for your kids, right?

Much more of course, but those are good basic starting points, right?

Where would you start?

There is no starting point and that's the conundrum. The only viable solution to America's problems is to withhold taxes. That's the starting point. Anything other than that is utter foolishness. 

by jeff prager (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 188 comments) on Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 12:27:27 AM

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I apologize if this is off topic, but I woke up from my nap this afternoon in a cold sweat, my head pounding, and my whole body shaking.

I'd dreamed that Obama had been elected President of the United States. The votes had been counted accurately, Obama was announced to be the winner, and he got up to give his acceptance speech on primetime national TV. 

Obama stood there waving his arms and giving the victory sign until the crowd stopped roaring and screaming their love. Then he said, "My fellow Americans, I want to thank you for this unprecedented honor. America has changed for the better and you are the ones responsible for that change, not me. I appreciate all your hard work and your love for your country and for your fellow citizens. I know that you only want what is best for America, and so do I. Our country is at war and we are under threat by terrorists. Our need for security has never been greater. That's why I know you'll understand my decision not to risk any disruption in the present course of events. I have decided that it is in your best interests, my own best interests, and the best interests of our country and of the world, for me to uphold the precedent set by the great Democratic Party presidential candidates in the previous two presidential elections. I know that you will give your full support to the man I am conceding to for the good of the country, the man who is the best qualified leader at this time, the man who has the full support of my mentor Joe Lieberman, and the man I am proud to introduce to you now, the next President of the United States, John McCain!

I know it was just a bad dream and that people my age aren't supposed to cry. Unfortunately, I don't have any tranquillizers, so I guess I'll just go outside and hug a tree until my blood pressure drops back to normal.  There was a recent article about how to prevent another stolen election (although it didn't actually make any constructive suggestions), so maybe somebody will write an article about how to ensure that the next Democrat to win the Presidential election doesn't concede to the Republican the way the last two did. With all these great progressive minds, these wonderful progressive groups, and such tremendous progressive energies and resources, there must be a way......

There's gotta be a way......

Please mommy, daddy, God, somebody.....tell me that there's a way.....

Rob, you are our leader and the professional positivist -- isn't there a way?

by Mark E. Smith (21 articles, 30 quicklinks, 100 diaries, 1325 comments) on Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 4:21:47 AM

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I have no clue what to do.  I thought that I did thirty-five years ago when I voted for the first time in 1972  (for McGovern).  That was the last time that I voted for one of the big ass two party candidates for president.

I might have stepped up for Obama if his Senate staff had not jerked me around...more than once.  

I am interested in the ideas of other folks, and I normally read your posts, so I'll follow up your follow ups. 

John O.

Illinois 

by John Olsen (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 60 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 7:36:00 AM

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thirty-six years ago.

by John Olsen (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 60 comments [4 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 7:38:54 AM

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When Nancy Pelosi took impeachment off the table and then the Judas class of 2006 stabbed the antiwar base and progressives in the back by not only failing to make good on their campaign promises but in giving the criminal regime of George W. Bush even MORE than the preceeding corrupt GOP congress their fate was sealed.

Perhaps McCain and Palin are what America deserves because they are the logical result of a dumbed down, tabloid and celebrity infatuated, angry and indebted epidemic of mass lunacy that has resulted in this sham democracy.

Enough of this con game, both of these pathetic excuses for political parties need to be completely discredited because they bring nothing but sorrow and dishonor on us all.

The whole damned thing can now just fall apart for all that I care, the existing system is beyond salvation.

Just my two cents

EE

by Ed Encho (12 articles, 20 quicklinks, 65 diaries, 438 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 11:52:31 AM

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Whatta bunch of sniveling losers. I am also a progressive, a true progressive. While voting for progressive dems, I am also a realist. You fools are the ones that deserve Mc Cain and Palin. You think that the dems are the ones that put us where we are? I watch them on C-span everyday fighting for 'we the people' I also se the repubs filerbusting in the senate 90+ times, this year alone. I know that no progressive bills will be passed if Mc Cain holds the veto pen. Until you have a viable third party or more progressive presidential candidate, are you willing to let the repubs have another 4-8 years of more wars, more deregulation of work saftey, banking, environmental. Privatisation of education, infrastructure, war, and branches of government,ect? The last 8 has set us back 50 years with human rights, civil rights, voting right, environmental issues, world unity, country unity, ect. Yet, here you go again, no real fight in you TOWARD progress. You want it all or nothing....Well nothing this time will get you a lot more than nothing. It will get yopu Fascism plain and simple. 

by LYNNE KRINGLER (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 70 comments) on Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 at 10:35:15 PM

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I am voting for Obama, who is better than McCain.  I hold no illusions, though, about our need to hold Obama's feet to the fire...This is a candidate supported by huge corporations and the big Chicago political machine.

John Edwards had the best progressive/reformist/populist platform out there, but the media didn't give him the time of day...I hope to see him soon in the political arena, but in the meantime, I am working on media/campaign finance/party reform.

by Kathy Callan (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 9 comments) on Sunday, Sep 14, 2008 at 12:40:30 PM

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I don't care who backs him, as long as he gets elected. I care how he votes.

Did you know that any earmarks he has added he has listed?  What he has done with his life and what he has always stood for is what matters to me, because it gives us a good idea of what he will stand for.

Mc Cain hasn't been a maverick, he was a rebel that pushed the line, which got him shot down and five and one half years in prison. His wife and three kids worried and waited only to be rewarded by him cheating and finally cheating for nine months with a multi-millionaress, beauty queen, 20 years younger, who helped buy him a seat in congress.

Most of all he still believes we should have stayed in Vietnam. Almost 15 years  of war. 58,000 dead Americans, untold wounded. Millions of dead Vietnamese, untold wounded (still sick and dying with agent orange and landmines). He says he hates war? Well he loves bullying more than he hates war. He's a neo-con plain and simple.  Read PNAC  and know what we are in for if he's elected. Bomb bomb Iran. Syria. Russia.

by LYNNE KRINGLER (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 70 comments) on Monday, Sep 15, 2008 at 3:44:40 AM

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I am a team member for Obama myself.  We are just the local people on the ground so we have no direct input on policy or direction.  What we do bring is face-to-face time with other members of our community. People we know and who know us.

That alone helps by registering voters and helping to assure they can get to the polls etc.

Beyond that many of us use the internet just as I do here. We post to blogs, field peoples concerns about Obama and McCain etc. We don't do this as part of Obama's team. 

We do this as individuals spreading the message.  But as team members we are now connected to pursue this other form of activism, thus multiplying our numbers outside of the "Obama Team".

Of those I know we take the organization abilities and numbers of the team. We add our own individual activism and share it.  We don't rely entirely on our own teams.

by Paul Kruger (39 articles, 1 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 304 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Sep 15, 2008 at 10:56:44 AM

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