I'm a proud Democrat. Most of the folks I know are proud Democrats. But the proud Democrats I know, are not particularly proud of the Democrats in Congress right now, and it's obvious to those of us in Realityville, USA, why this is.
Ask a Democratic politician why the approval ratings of this Democratic Congress are so low, and they will tell you that it's because of the Iraq War and Republicans. America has turned against the war, and it's dragging everyone's approval ratings down.
Wow. Is there a deeper level of willful ignorance anywhere in the world that surpasses that of Washington politicians?
I can't take it anymore. They're utterly clueless.
I had to write a letter to them:
Dear Congressional Democrats,
After reading that you blame the President and the Republicans for your low approval ratings, I feel compelled to write this letter and correct your mistaken beliefs about why people think you suck
People think you suck, because you refuse to stand up to a president that is less popular than syphilis.
People think you suck because you swore to uphold the Constitution and protect us from all enemies, foreign and domestic, and you don't. I'm embarassed that Bruce Fein and Bob Barrunderstand this, and you don't.
People think you suck because you were sent to Washington to end the war and bring our troops home. Instead of the debate being about the date to begin leaving, you have managed to lose track of the discussion, and now it's about what happens if we leave, and how many troops to leave behind. Fortunately, Ari Fleischer is going to change the subject back for you. Who knew that Ari would come to the rescue of the message muddled democrats by delivering a straight and bold message from Republicans. Unfortunately for the Republicans, they are delivering a message that America has come to loathe and thinks is complete crap. You need to send a big thank you note to that man for doing what you folks couldn't.
People think you suck because you have no message machine at all. You have no coordination on agenda or debate. Here's a tip: We're not looking for a chorus. We're looking for a choir. Choirs need leaders, and you people don't know how to find them or grow them.
People think you suck because you seem to have no idea how people who live outside the beltway feel, and you don't seem to care much. Sure, you are somewhat less clueless when you get back from some time spent in your districts. But once you get back to Washington and start breathing the rarified air of power and privilege, well, the concerns of ordinary Americans fly out the taxpayer-funded window.
But mostly, it's this--People think you suck because they sent you there to stand up for them, and instead, you drop to your knees. Look, it's not that difficult. We didn't send you there to fight the fights you can win. We sent you there to fight the fights that need fighting.
As Democrats, we'd rather die on our feet than live on our knees. Internalize that message. Needlepoint it on a pillow or tattoo it on your thighs. Whatever it takes for you to simultaneously be in Washington and remember why you were sent there, do it.
People don't think you suck because you lose. Losing we understand. We're Democrats, after all. No, they think you suck because you're not willing to fight.
If you don't want people to think you suck, try standing up for them. And then keep standing up for them. For as long as it takes to get the job done.
Yeah, it really is just that simple.
Yours truly
Casey Morris
Proud Democrat
Cross posted at
The Democracy Cell Project