Let me say right up front, this is not a diary "glory-grab"...I am genuinely concerned about how we stand to "get clowned" yet again on Tuesday. I've seen and heard too much to take anything for granted...
I was perusing previous posts last night when I came upon one of my more pensive posts...It was timely then and given what we know and what we've been through, more timely than ever...more on the flip...
The night was primary night and I sat at my computer with my head in my hands..."What just happened here"? The "what" was Francine Busby's inconceivable loss in the California primary. Here's how I expressed my frustration:
I don't know quite how to put it into words. . .it's not like it's the end of the world, but then. . .maybe it is. In a district where a Congressman has been convicted of gross misuse of public trust and has gone to jail for being on the take from lobbyists, a strong candidate wasn't able to get enough votes to take a seat that should've been a "gimme". We can sit around and pontificate as to what went wrong, but I will save you the time. . .passion. That's right, I said "passion".
Do a search on this website for "what went wrong" and it'll pretty consistently be the same story. No matter who the candidate is, when going head-to-head with a Republican, the Republican gets out its base while the anemic Democratic base. . .yes the same bunch that is routinely whining about how awful the "culture of corruption" is. . .stays home to watch the ball game, American Idol, etc. . .
It has been rightly said that the Busby loss (yeah, I know she won her primary, but a thing cannot be other than what it is. . .a loss) is not a matter of corruption vs. morals. . .new ideas vs. no ideas. . .it is a matter of base vs. base.
"We'll get 'em next time" is getting old hearing it. I think it's time we quit putting so much effort into trying to influence those on the fringe and start focusing on getting out the vote.
It's great to hear others of our ilk talk about what's wrong and what should be done, but how many of them called their buddies last night and offered a ride to the polling place?
THAT is what's going to HAVE to happen if there is to be any change. We're not idiots. You would THINK we would have learned our lessons by now that it is NOT enough to have a message without folks to vote their convictions about the message.
In this modern day and age of illegal wiretapping, illegal wars, praise and handshakes for criminals, no-bid contracts for donors, and a great big fat ZERO for oversight, there should be NO problem getting folks to the voting booths. If THESE THINGS ALONE doesn?t get you to the polls, then there is NO reason to believe that you will feel any differently come November when we have a chance to stop the flow of blood ebbing from our Constitution.
I, for one, am not going to sit by quietly while the liars continue to steal my nation away from me on account of apathy from the other side.
How 'bout you?