Should one really vote straight Democrat for the good of the collective party? What if your local Democrat representative isn't really serving your area? A quick few thoughts on the ambivalence nationally for what politicians do locally.
I'm a resident of Illinois, and I don't like my governor, Rod Blagojevich. There are a great many things that I could go into regarding my opposition to him, but that isn't important.
I'm a Democrat, and when I have expressed my dislike for this particular representative of the party (to other Democrats), I am often met with some fairly colorful language. And of course, I'm confronted with the alternative, Judy Baar-Topinka, who would do a similarly terrible job, while extending further power to the Republicans.
Governor Blagojevich is mired in scandal. The State of Illinois has not seen any significant social improvement since he has been elected (and I have done my best to account for the national economy's downturn). As an Illinoisian, I reject him, and as a Democrat, I am ashamed of him.
As I read DailyKos day by day, I'm introduced to ideologically diverse candidates. I am ecstatic for them, and welcome their contribution. But who are they to the people they are running to represent? How are we to judge their potential, without listening to the residents of their districts? And most importantly, are there incumbent Democrats failing their electorate?
I fear that some folks, without due diligence and free thinking, may be closer to emulating the Republican lockstep than we think. I take comfort in knowing that we are the party of ideas, the party that can apply common-sense principals to improve society. But what if one of our own, in a single pair of eyes, betrays our ideals?
A Democrat that serves his/her electorate well, earns trust, and truly believes in and advances democratic values is the best Democrat we could possibly have. I think this aspect is often overlooked, as we focus primarily on the national scene. Who is your representative to you? Can you honestly recommend a local politician that has not served your area in a positive way?
I believe that it is this laser-beam focus on the much bigger picture that causes many to overlook politicians like Blagojevich. Let us be more interested in the thoughts of the electorate. I do realize that this type of thinking could cost power. But if your politician isn't really looking out for you, Democrat or Republican, what have we really lost?
The positive democratic macromanagement in government in America will be the driving force behind the return to a real prosperity. Accept no imitations.