We aren't presented with opportunities like this too often, but these folks have the right idea.
In 1980, Ronald Reagan used his persona and charisma to absolutely bury the liberal brand. Until the election that year, liberal was not a dirty word. I remember the debates; I was only 11 years old, but even at that time I knew I was a liberal and remember debating the merits of liberal vs. conservative ideas.
In the court of public opinion, Ronald Reagan ended up beating me all to shit. So I apologize.
But...
Now the tables are turned. We have the charismatic candidate and a population that has been beaten down at every turn by the consequences of conservative policies. We have an opportunity to destroy the conservative brand the same way the liberal brand was so effectively destroyed 30 years ago.
And it is starting to happen. Look what these guys are doing (I promise you're gonna love it):
flip
A group activists wants to rename one of San Francisco's wastewater treatment facilities the "George W. Bush Sewage Plant."
Members of the Presidential Memorial Commission tell the San Francisco Chronicle that they've already collected 8,500 signatures on a petition to put the proposal before voters this November. If it passes, the Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant would be renamed when the new president takes office in January.
Not only that, but there is a flash-mob action being floated: across America, people are being encouraged to flush their toilets the moment the torch is passed.
It is these types of actions - when combined with effective political organizing and a good dose of talking to your neighbors - that will turn Battleship America toward a brighter future. Conservatives have sailed pretty far into the darkness, and it appears as if we've hit a few icebergs in recent years... We aren't led by the most effective class of leaders, but they can be replaced... Republicans didn't destroy the country overnight; we're going to need to spend some time fixing what they've wronged before we can even begin building a new progressive America, but actions like these demonstrate that the people are with us.
So in the face of war supplementals, FISA capitulation and financial sector bailouts... smile a bit. We're ascendant.