In other words I have tried to be nice, play the game and listen to others point of view. Its true we live in a complicated world where many points of view need to be assessed and acted upon.
The need to create consensus is fundamental in a normal situation, to bring everyone on board as it were. I'm regularly told to be patient since the political process needs time and conciliation.
However at the present time I feel like I am treading water and those telling me to be patient are in fact throwing me an anvil instead of a lifesaver.
Whatever I think is right and just is jettisoned. We then have to go ask the other side what they think, usually the memo comes back with a photograph of a middle finger attached.
Hell, now many of those on my side have been Pavlov trained by the right that concessions are made before negotiations have even started. We give away the bits we believe in most before we are even challenged.
There have been a few sparks fired from the left side of the aisle usually they have been extinguished by bipartisanship feelings in the so called centre. This is even before the right even have had to make their arguments in public as to why they disagree.
I'm told to be nice so that we can get more democrats elected next cycle, fine just so long as they are democrats and Arlen Specter does not count.
The advice coming from the moderates goes somthing like this:
Be patient on.
DODT and DOMA
Be patient don't worry everything is under control, we can always let the States decide. Hold on whilst we ask Sen. Sessions what he thinks, I'm sure he will fire it past Rush for due consideration.
Please don't rattle the bars about your human rights, we have more important fish to fry.
Torture and War Crimes
Look you are really being silly, you should just forgive and forget, the adults are in charge now and it wont happen again. We promise, I'm sure the GOP have asked Bill Kristol to help them with the moral conundrum.
Look forward and not back, it just make sense why cause problems before the next election for our red-state colleagues?
Iraq and Afghanistan.
Well you know its complicated and we are lowering our commitment in Iraq and putting them in Afghanistan. It just make sense to keep on going. We will leave 50,000 or so in Iraq just in case it flares up again. Afghanistan was always the just war and we cant leave anyway because....well we just cant.
We have to put our mess right before we leave, how long you ask? Oh look....over there ....Iran....terrorists.
Guantanamo
Its all under control..Bagram...pardon, where..is my earpiece working.....pardon?
Look we said we don't torture and the whole system has been cleaned up. What do you mean nobody has been prosecuted? Just look at the fall guys at Abu Gharib if you need proof.
We are in charge now, trust us.
Financial Crisis
Its all over, look at the positive indicators. Bonuses, where oh but you must pay the best people what they are worth.
Don't worry your little cotton socks we will pass legislation to rein in their excesses. When? Just after we have done you know...well...oh look climate change.
Climate Change
Its bad really bad, oh look unemployment. Copenhagen what do you mean we are throwing it under the bus?
look we have to take coal industries needs into consideration, mountain top removal you say? Isn't that interesting, how much is stopping it worth to my campaign funds?
Health Care Reform
Well you know Medicare for all was just a non starter so why would we invite its proponents to the table.
Look stop saying a 122 people are dying every day, we have to get it right and avoid any detrimental losses to my finances.
Look you will get mandatory single payer, probably with a trigger its still better than what you have right?
Of course we will have oversight of the insurance industry what do you take us for? Fools? Just look at the banks..........
Campaign Finance Reform:
Pardon...look this earpiece seems defective...I have an important meeting with my campaigns financial director...lobbyists? Never heard of them.. that reminds me this evening...hope the food is good even if it is for free
Remember don't worry its all under control..... please donate and vote for me next time.... see you in a couple of years.
Have a great WE
Alessandra.