It's been 4 months since the Democrats won a majority in the House and came within striking distance of a functioning majority in the Senate--needing to pry a handful of votes from the despised Party of Bush. Yet the Dem's elite has failed to take advantage of Republican chaos and unpopularity. They have failed to clearly align themselves with positions that about two of three Americans support. And only Clarke and Kucinich so far have acknowledged the grievous danger that looms.
Some say "lighten up, they've hardly been in office." This is a serious and honest point. But, first, admit that they've been way too ready to cede way too much to Bush, and have been largely stymied by the Republitic Party, both as regards legislation and in the public's eyes.
If this were a time when the very basis of our nation is not being threatened, you might say "well, let's give them some time to get it together." America does not have this time, nor do the Democrats give evidence they are aware of this. Apparently, they are trying to not offend the people (meaning the 30% who like what's going on), not be seen to lose in struggles with Bush, and to more or less let things ride until '08.
(Yes, yes, I know about the investigations, etc. The fact is George Bush sows more evil and corruption everyday than the Dems will ever check in this piecemeal fasion.)
The first thing the Democratic Elite must recognize as they construct their strategy is that the American people want what the liberals want. They may not want to think of themselves as liberals, but, as Thom Hartmann always points out, "the liberal agenda" has been polled time and again, and usually gets 60% or better support on an issue by issue basis. In other words, the American people long for leadership that takes the American people's needs into account.
The second thing is that the Democratic leadership, and the party's supporters, should abandon their effete excuse making: "ooooo, we don't really have a majority in the Senate," "ooooo, the Blue Dog Democrats aren't helping us," "aaaaargh, the Republicans will say bad things about us." None of this is a reason to not stand up and loudly and relentlessly stand up for what is good.
The third thing is key: no matter how cleverly Dems try to establish a legislative record that shows their leadership, no matter their compromises, or hedges, or lawyerly distinctions,
Even if they passed a law that was good,
if it runs counter to the Republicon purpose,
Bush will veto it,
magically banish it
with his signature,
or simply order it not obeyed.
Guaranteed.
Let's take ending our involvement in Iraq as a case in point.
In this circumstance, the only thing the Dems can possibly do is ruthlessly press for the right thing. The "right thing" is no big mystery to we, the stupid masses, though it dumbfounds and enervates our Electeds.
People of whatever background and (non)belief, can pretty much get with "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" as something you try to live by. Starting with that, the questions about Democratic law-making policy then flow naturally:
• Would I want to, myself, or have anyone in my family, experience hell on earth, and that for no clear reason?
• Gosh, aren't there a bunch of my constituents, and their families, and their communities, who suffer this hell on earth in Iraq for no clear reason? (We ignore for now the years and decades spent in hellish dreams)
• Now, shall the legislation I wish to pass, relieve, at the least, the people we have in Iraq, from being in hell on earth?
This is a pretty powerful formula, this "doing unto" business, and not least because
a) Working against resistance makes you stronger;
b) You keep vital ideas alive to the Public's mind;
c) You self-brand yourself as a fighter for good. And you'll have earned it. It will not be revealed later as a fake, or a manipulation.
d) You open a wider reality-based discussion, which would seem like a refreshing breeze, and drink of water, and a glimmer of hope for the average American.
The Republicans have offered a kind of mock version of "the right thing." They have reforms, based on all these charts and grand notions, which somehow always end up costing people their money and their rights. That all just crumbles if you show the people you want to do the right thing, and then contrast that with the Republican record of full-spectrum failure.
e) By '08, the meme would be widespread that Dems really will do something that means something if they get office.
So, my dear Democratic leaders, this is so simple: If you wouldn't want to be in the hell on earth of Iraq, why do you permit others to be there? Dammit, stop acting like you have the vapors every time you are called on to do what's right. Show some real courage, and finally represent, clearly and without caveats, the will of the American people.
{this is a comment I made in the diary Senior House Democrats, seeking to placate here expanded into a diary]}
{the poll is purely gratuitous. Darn, the infinity sign looked fine in preview!}