I know there are a ton of diaries on this subject. I feel there is a "melding point" where they all meet. It could/should be effective with the Democratic Party and Mass Media. I've commented several times, but now my thoughts have gotten to diary strength. So, please, bear with me. First a little personal story.
My daily lunch restaurant didn't carry relish for my hamburger because "it's not on the chain-approved order list."
After each lunch, I would show my server (always the same person) her tip, fold it and put it in my wallet. I'd tell her that her tips were going in escrow until I had relish for my hamburgers.
The wad of tips got so large I had to ask the server to change it to larger bills. She brought the manager to my table and asked me to explain. I did and the manager told me to order a hamburger and he'd be right back from the grocery store.
Thereafter, I had relish for my burger. Even when there was a change of manager, the new guy knew the benchmark he had to meet.
I suggest a campaign. The initials "DC" would stand for Defund Collaborators. Most all of us agree that we now live under a criminal regime. Aiding that regime can be seen as nothing else but collaboration.
Defunding and Benchmarks for Collaborators, is realistic. We simply "escrow" the funds we would otherwise contribute to a Democratic election effort. Donation letters would be politely answered that funds were being "escrowed" until certain benchmarks are met.
My suggestions are:
YOUR BENCHMARKS TO END DEFUNDING
- Meaningful and binding Iraq withdrawal legislation
- Meaningful and binding legislation to reverse: Repeal of Habeas Corpus, Repeal of Posse Comitatus, Wiretapping of U.S. citizens, Politically loaded election law enforcement, Election finance by corporate lobbyists
I have already faxed letters to my Senator and to Nancy and Harry, saying:
Because of your collaboration with Bush on Iraq, a new policy is now forming. It is already showing acceptance among 10s of thousands of your constituents. You will be seeing:
- Donations to the party falling off rapidly
- Volunteerism drying up
- Nationwide strikes against spending with large corporate donors
You see, if the Democratic party is collaborating with Bush, what is our advantage in supporting it?
A campaign would serve several purposes, it would:
- Demonstrate the level of frustration of the general electorate
- Demonstrate the pursuasive value of defunding
- Demonstrate that excuses and word games are no longer acceptable, that meaningful action is required.
- Demonstrate that "we don't have the votes" is not a valid excuse for taking no action. Sometimes, you know, action, by itself, generates change - change that would never happen without action first.
- Place the time squeeze where it belongs, since election funding is time sensitive, rapid, meaningful action would be necessary to free up that funding.
- Inform us whether or not the party leaders really do respect the desires of We the People.