So, I’ve been on this site for a long time — like 17 years — and as such, I’ve had sufficient time to notice trends, and the way emotions ebb and flow across the site. I am also 17 years older now, and like to think I’ve grown some — or at least grown up a bit.
Anyhoo, one thing I’ve learned to recognize over the years is how we liberal types tend to dissect our outrage, while Republican types tend to act on theirs while the pot is boiling. And I’m not saying liberals don’t act — we do, and do so very consistently.
But I am forced to point out where we actually find ourselves. For all our numbers, for all our strengths, for all our actions — here we sit, getting our asses regularly kicked by a group that numbers significantly less than we do, in both population, and working, critically thinking brains.
As you read this, we are still fighting for the same damn things we have been fighting for since I became an adult some 40 years ago. Gun control, economic, racial, and gender equality, abortion rights, voting rights, addressing climate change…on all of these items, folks, we have been getting our collective butts handed to us.
Now, I’m not writing this to yell at us, or to make anyone feel bad. I’m just pointing out the fact that, despite our efforts, we are about to lose utterly on abortion rights…our children are getting shot and killed with distressing regularity…people of color are being murdered by police and incarcerated disproportionately…and the climate is blowing up right in our faces. And, a bunch of Patriot Front assholes were just caught getting ready to riot at a Pride celebration, bringing nothing to the mix except mayhem, and pain.
Sorry, but this doesn’t sound like we are winning, or have been winning, or even have a chance of winning. In fact, we are on the verge of losing our democracy, despite our every effort to save it.
As I said at the beginning, I have been here for a while, watching the moral outrage be expressed, analyzed, justified, argued over. Wash, rinse, repeat…and nothing changes, we are still getting beat, and beat badly.
Yes, there are calls to action, and a good many people take action — donating, marching, volunteering, etc. And yet…
So I have a suggestion to make, to the much larger number of liberals who visit this site, but for whatever reason, do not act in the ways commonly suggested on this site.
There is a Kayak commercial currently making the TV rounds (I’ve seen it on MSNBC) featuring a family in their backyard. One of the actors says to another, “don’t mention Kayak” and the mom’s head shoots up, and she begins to yell at the family how they are blind to the conspiracy that Kayak isn’t real. As she storms off, she admonishes her family to “open your eyes!”
And this — this, is what Republicans do that liberals tend not to do. They unapologetically shout their views from the rooftops, and do not care one whit how it sounds, how it looks, or what anyone else believes. They shout at the rest of us to “open your eyes” — and end up gaining followers in their wake.
Stop being so polite, my fellow liberals. Start lecturing your family and friends. Start being a nuisance. Be insistent. Be bold. Be fearless. And stop worrying about how others might feel about you, your views, your passion. Step on some toes, and do so proudly and loudly.
After all, if we believe our own views, it’s only our democracy, our children, our fellow citizens…our very future, on the line.
And before Election Day arrives this year — talk to your family and friends. Talk to them about their vote, about their views, about your beliefs, fears, objectives, and what you think we need to do to save this country. Ask them — yes, actually ask them — to vote Democrat this year, tell them why they really need to. Show them your passion and love for this country.
And then make sure they actually go and vote on Election Day.
