I could write about a lot of stuff tonight.
For almost a decade I have been tracking Jack Abramoff and the Culture of Corruption and since I became uid 9214, I’ve written about that work here on Daily Kos. For years, I have been writing about the many ways that John McCain covered-up the Abramoff Scandal.
I could write about how the Obama campaign is taking that fight to Curveball John:
There is more to that story and more reasons why McCain should worry about Jack, but I doubt it would break through the waves of panic shaking the netroots.
Yikes! The polls have tightened. Well, what did you expect?
Take a deep breath. Get a backbone. FOCUS.
It’s time to call out the summer supporters and sunshine campaigners.
To the jump...
Democrats, progressives and the netroots seem to be dividing between those who shake with fear at the latest poll and those who will acknowledge the long expected tightening in the polls has happened and then get back to work. And doing the work to win this election is the only thing that matters. Action counts. Talk and hand wringing do not. Barack Obama will not save you, but you can save yourself, your Country and this planet.
You have the power. You can choose to use it or not.
I’ve always viewed this site and the netroots as the domain of those who choose to use their power. I’ve always viewed this place as a place of action. I still do. But a place of action and a movement for change will accumulate casual followers, whiners and a legion of armchair consultants. Some of these folks will eventually get it, but many will not.
When the movement is doing well, when we are winning, when we are ahead in polls, fundraising or whatever, these folks will climb aboard and join the parade. When the going gets tough, they will wilt. They will whine. They will become helpless, cynical and powerless.
It is an old story. Our movement for change—a movement that began years ago and will continue for years to come—faces this problem and will continue to face it until enough of us find the backbone to get involved and the courage to fight for a better America.
Years ago there was a Revolution in North America. A King, named George had become a tyrant and the people rose up to oppose him. It was touch and go. At times, it looked like the Revolutionaries would be defeated. It was during one of those times that Thomas Pain wrote The American Crisis, a series of pamphlets distributed to buck up the backbones of Americans willing to fight for their independence, liberty and rights. If he were alive today, Pain would be posting online. He was an old school blogger. His words could easily be applied to those folks spending their time tonight worrying themselves into inaction, fear, desperation and cynicism:
These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.
We face a great and ongoing Tyranny from the Conservative movement. It is a Wrecking Crew destroying our Constitution, our Government, our laws, our rights, our liberties and our freedom. It must be defeated and it will not be easy.
Did anybody really think the Republican Party and the conservative movement would leave the stage without a fight? Is there anybody who thinks that it is easy to defeat them? Get real. This will require sacrifice. It will require hard work. It will require courage. And yes, it will require HOPE.
Are you worried that McCain might win? Good! Now get to work. Do something about it. Take Action. Volunteer. Register to Vote. Donate. Use your talents. Use your power.
Are you concerned? Good. Visit your neighbors. Talk to them. Work together. Organize you neighborhood for change. Make connections that will last long pass November.
These Conservative nut-jobs have captured our Nation and we must take it back. (If you want an idea of who these guys are then check out Thomas Frank’s new book, "The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule". It helps to explain why there is so much failure and corruption when Republicans are in charge—it is part of their plan. The book exposes the corruption laden history of the conservative movement and why it must be stopped.
Now is our time to stop the Conservative movement and throw it into reverse. This is the year to act. November 4, 2008 is D-day and we must be ready to Get Out The Vote. NOW is the time to register new voters. NOW is the time to canvas neighborhoods and prepare the ground game. NOW is the time to get involved.
Each of us has a role we can play. Each of us has unique talents and passions that can be brought to the battle to Take our country back.
What the good Doctor said all those many years ago is still true:
You have the power to take our country back.
It will not be easy. There will be disappointment (like today) and there will be set-backs. Far too many in our media, our party and in the progressive movement have been raised on the validity of this or that harebrain conservative idea. Often, these ideas come straight out of the crazy store. They have become accepted "principles" of government and our politics because of repetition, spin, graft and hype. These ideas do not work for America and the World. They never have. It is way past time to force the Right to defend and explain these useless, destructive failed ideas of the conservative movement.
It is time to go on the offensive and challenge the core values of the conservative movement.
We have a great candidate in Barack Obama, but more than that—we are great. United, there is nothing we can not do. It is time to find your backbone.
This is not 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 or 2004. Winning is more than trying to get to 50%+1. It is about creating a governing majority. It is about stopping the Conservative movement that is intentionally destroying America. It is time to think about the way things should be and to ask "Why not?"
For some reason as I read the endless series of fear-based Diaries and comments, my mind drifts to the Saint Crispin's Day speech from Shakespeare's Henry V:
There is a reason Obama referenced this speech in his speech after his victory in Iowa.
FDR and his 1st Inaugural speech also come to mind (you can read it here, but I would also recommend listening to it here.)
Everybody knows the soundbite:
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself..."
But the context is lost in time. It came within FDR’s first 100 words (emphasis added) of his remarks and it should be read by all the nervous nellies tonight:
I AM CERTAIN that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our Nation impels. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.
John McCain is a Corruptionist. He is a politician who has protected and upheld corrupt practices throughout his political career. The recent trust of his lobbyist laden and Rovian directed campaign is just the latest example from a career that has always been more hype than action, more spin than substance.
John McCain is an empty old man chosen to lead the parade in this cycle when years of lies, corruption and divisive politics are finally catching up with the Republican Party and the conservative movement. McCain got the nod because he has always been trusted to create the illusion of action, while actually doing nothing. When examined, his legislative "accomplishments" are thin and shallow—like McCain himself.
McCain and his fellow corruptionists have one path to victory. They must run the dirtiest campaign in American history. It is ugly and it will get worse. Get ready, because McCain is surrounded by the architects of the Conservative Wrecking Crew destroying our Nation and he is one of them.
They take their power from fear. When you fear them they win, but when you stand up to them they loose. One man can not do it alone, but together we can shut down their culture of fear and corruption.
If you are a summer supporter or a sunshine campaigner, now is the time to find your courage. Stop whining and start working.
Time to cowboy and cowgirl up.
Time to register a few voters, dig deeper and work harder.
This is a fight. It is not easy.
We can win this.
Yes. WE. Can.
Cheers