'Neidermeyer? Dead!'

Here's something I wrote today at Suburban Guerrilla:

http://susiemadrak.com/...

Larisa Alexandrovna of Raw Story has a really depressing piece on Alternet today. Basically, she's saying what the rest of us are thinking: What won't they do to stay in power?

I know all the arguments. God knows, I've been immersed in this stuff for years now. But it's the wrong fucking question.

We should be asking, "What are we willing to do to stop them - and how?"

We already have the power to stop them.

It's maddening to me, how people are all too ready to curl up into the fetal position and let these bastards continue to rape our democracy. And make no mistake: They will have their way with us, at least for a while, if you're willing to let them.

You shouldn't be depressed. You should be angry. Angry at what they've done to our country - and ready to fight for it.

What are we going to do if they steal the election? We're going to fight them.

"What the fuck happened to the Delta I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? "Ooh, we're afraid to go with you Bluto, we might get in trouble." Well just kiss my ass from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. Wormer, he's a dead man! Marmalard, dead! Niedermeyer..."

"Dead!"

The thing is, until now, they've gotten away with this shit because they're more dedicated than we are. Yeah, they're bastards, but give them this: They're playing hard for all the marbles, and we always let them get away with it. We were the reasonable ones, always willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. And besides, we were more interested in watching TV, decorating the house and playing with our iPods. It was easier not to let ourselves see the inevitable march toward tyranny.

If - when - they attempt to steal this election, they can only get away with it if you let them. That's right, you. The most important part of We, the People is you.

"But I can't go to a demonstration, the kids have soccer!"

You know what? If, in the relative scheme of things, your kid's soccer game is a higher priority than his freedom, you have the wrong priorities.

"I can't take off from work, I only have one personal day left!"

If a day's pay is more important than our democracy, you have the wrong priorities.

"I don't want to stand outside in the rain all night. And besides, it's cold."

You know what? You'd stand out in the rain all night for Super Bowl tickets, or Springsteen tickets, or to get the latest mass-produced piece of crap your child absolutely must have for Christmas. So don't tell me you can't take part in saving our democracy.

If you tell me that, I'll tell you this: You have the wrong priorities.

I'm sick of the lack of backbone and dedication to the cause of our democracy. If you were willing to work one-tenth as hard at protecting our liberty as these bastards are at destroying it, I wouldn't be writing this now.

If these pricks steal this election, and you don't swarm every place that's connected to the theft - the election bureaus, the newspapers and TV stations, your congressman's office - if you don't stand up to be counted for democracy, then just shut up and resign yourself to being a good little cog in a fascist state for the rest of your life.

That's what they're counting on.

But hey, at least you'll have your iPod.

•  Things I have learned this week

  A five-year-old is not too young to hang out in a campaign office.  And she is not too young to help put together yard signs, though she doesn't do them very fast and some of them are... um... artistic.

  by Nina Katarina on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 08:10:58 AM PDT

  •  My 4 year old helped me assemble yard signs ...

    ...yesterday.  Although I had to help him a bit :-)

    by Carolina On My Mind on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 08:29:07 AM PDT

•  The Really Sad Part

  Is that while everyone on Kos is (rightly) focused on the elction, what happens afterwards?  Will the Dems step up to the plate and do what it takes?  I don't know--jeezus, they couldn't even give support to Feingold's censure resolution.  

  by dizzydean on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 08:15:34 AM PDT

  •  Agenda

    Democratic Agenda

    Democrats offer a New Direction, putting the common good of all Americans first for a change and will:

    Make Health Care More Affordable: Fix the prescription drug program by putting people ahead of drug companies and HMO's, eliminating wasteful subsidies, negotiating lower drug prices and ensuring the program works for all seniors; invest in stem cell and other medical research.
    Lower Gas Prices and Achieve Energy Independence: Crack down on price gouging; eliminate billions in subsidies for oil and gas companies and use the savings to provide consumer relief and develop American alternatives, including biofuels; promote energy efficient technology.
    Help Working Families: Raise the minimum wage; repeal tax giveaways that encourage companies to move jobs overseas.
    Cut College Costs: Make college tuition deductible from taxes; expand Pell grants and slash student loan costs.
    Ensure Dignified Retirement: Prevent the privatization of Social Security; expand savings incentives; and ensure pension fairness.
    Require Fiscal Responsibility: Restore the budget discipline of the 1990s that helped eliminate deficits and spur record economic growth.

    by Nina Katarina on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 09:11:16 AM PDT

    •  And where is...

      the stuff on national security?  Lies about the war in Iraq?  The mishandling of Afghanistan?  Subversion of the basic principles of the Constitution?  Not there, because that would seem shrill.  Give me shrill over gutless any day when so much is at stake.  

      I'm just hoping and praying that when January comes around (provided that things go well next week) that the Dems will find the intestinal fortitude to do more than what's on their agenda...

      by dizzydean on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 10:05:52 AM PDT

•  I'm ready!

  

  by darthstar on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 08:30:14 AM PDT

•  And it does not end Nov 7.

  Assuming the Dems take control of Congress, we have to continue to hold them accountable.

  As you point out above, all of the things we enjoy come from the basic freedoms of the Constitution.  It is not too late-it can still be resurrected.  But people have to act.  The alternative is to eventually become like the Proles in "1984".

  by ForFreedom on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 08:30:30 AM PDT

•  I keep remembering the awsome rallies that took

  place a few months ago by Mexican Americans.  Millions of people marched.

  They scared the hell out of some people just by their sheer numbers and their ability to organize but they were peaceful and there were almost no incidents.

  It can be done.  I will participate if and when.

  by nupstateny on Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 08:38:04 AM PDT

•  i'm scared

  maybe the evangelicals could pray for me/us

  by felixelf on Sat Nov 04, 2006 at 03:56:02 AM PDT