But if we vote Republican, or throw away our votes and allow them to win over our backs, then we risk far worse than disappointment. We risk disaster.
Do you want war with Iran? Do you want to lose what little we gained with Health Care? Do you want to lose legal abortion? Do you want to lose the 14th Amendment?
Do you want any of the the Tea Bagger manifestos to be the new Contract with America?
Do you want Newt Gingrich to go from being a disgraced, has-been politico to the guiding light of a new Republican revolution?
Do you want Orly Taitz* chasing after our President with the full support of a Congress ready to impeach over anything and nothing?
If the answer to those questions were "yes," "I don't care," or "Space Aliens caused 9/11!" then your course of action is clear. Stay home this November. Just don't come crying to me when things get worse than they are now.
Now, for those of you who are still reading instead of preparing Republican boilerplate, calling the President a CIA stooge, or prepping those handy 9/11 "truth" links, let's talk long-term strategy. When someone hands you a crap sandwich, you don't eat it with a straight face -- you organize.
So what do we do? Three things:
One , we start to make it clear to the President, the Speakers, and all aspects of Democratic party leadership that if they manage to hold onto one or both chambers this time around, it will be because we did not give in to cynicism or reality, in some cases and instead voted for the most politically viable side closest to our intentions, rather than throwing away a vote, or not voting at all.
But they will owe us for this victory, BIG TIME, and we will call the marker in sooner rather than later.
Two , on the day, we hold our noses and go vote anti-Republican. Don't call it Democrat or Progressive, because it may not be. Don't fool yourself, thus risking larger disappointment. Look at this as a strategic exercise in laying groundwork, or self-flagellation in the name of raising power.
Three , win or lose, be ready. It's been said to prepare for peace but keep one hand on your sword. We should be doing the same.
If the Democrats keep one or both chambers, we should be ready to call in our markers for having made it possible. We should have what we want to see over the next two-to-four years ready to go, as soon as the new Congress takes office, and make them know that this is what we want to see.
If they don't deliver, or the Democrats lose both chambers, we should be ready to start infiltrating the party at all levels and changing it into something better. No more sitting on the sidelines bemoaning the loss. No more circular peeing contests about how nothing would have changed anyway. We get in there and get our hands dirty, for a change.
Can't be done? Up yours. It can.
Will it be done? That's up to us to decide. I guess it depends on how badly you want to be able to be proud to be part of something, rather than how much you'd rather hide behind an internet connection in your basement and curse all things everywhere for not being just how you wanted them to be.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
1
1
1
