My parents taught me that when I believed in something and I acted in accordance, I could never give in on my position, no matter what crap was thrown at me. This has caused a moderate amount of pain in my life, especially on taking the unpopular positions but I know what it means to live by what you say and do and to have peace wioth my actions and beliefs. I have been a democrat for 42 years...until now...while I believe in Democratic ideals, I cannot be a Democrat anymore - I will not be a Republican, but my days of donating time, money and passion are gone because...
there is no strength in the party. Elected officals represent us and when they apologize for saying or doing things I agree with and nothing improper, its a slap in my face. How can an elected official expect me to slog on through the campaign, giving hard earned money and precious time, if they cannot even keep a stiff spine. Why would I want to elect someone who does not believe in what they say or do and wilts at the first challenge...
Someone with courage, with leadership, with guts would look the media and the slimy politicians making hay out of something, and say, "YOU ARE WRONG AND MISLEADING THE PUBLIC- SHAME ON YOU"
If Kerry or Durbin had done that, if the "filibuster compromisers" had done it, the public would recognize the strength and leadership and trust that person to take care of them. Instead, in what is becoming frighteningly familiar, they back down adn apologize.
The GOP makes heros out of the Pol's that say things that are controversial - look at Hoestetler, he is the right wing darling of the week. Plenty of people today are saying he was right. Why don't my elected people do this.
Letting the media and opposing politicians scare you into admitting that you did something wrong, is weak weak weak. When I was a prosecutor, I always had the defense attorneys labeling me, claiming misconduct, berating my witnesses and generally throwing evreeything they could at my case. I smiled and just kept remembering, these are the facts, just keep showing the facts and at some point, people realize what lies the other side was saying. SAME THING IN POLITICS - you don't see the GOP apologizing...
These people represent us, and if they make a stand, they are standing for us. When they don't, they are betraying us. Kerry did it and now Durbin did it. No more for me...maybe I won't be missed individually, but Dem's will continue to lose without a strong backbone and strong believe and standing strong!