Yesterday this post on the Coathanger Crew who voted with Nelson - Conrad, Pryor, Casey, Dorgan, Kaufman and Bayh- elicited these gems:
"a watered-down bill is superior politically to no bill at all."
"Casey is a good Democrat on every issue except abortion."
Pryor, Casey, and Dorgan will all vote for HCR with a public option. So why primary them?
another single issue voter ... sigh
See, they decide. "Getting a healthcare bill - any healthcare bill - passed" and "getting a Democrat elected" are acceptable "single issues". It only becomes a pejorative when it refers to causes that they consider expendable.
"Don't make the perfect the enemy of the good"
is a recurring response - to women's reproductive choices, to DADT, to minority rights, to torture - on this site and elsewhere among the so-called "liberal" community. They throw around the "purity" meme to shout down or discredit those they are arguing with.
We all know what's going to happen in the House. The Stupak-Pitts amendment will stay if taking it away threatens getting that abomination called the "Healthcare Bill" passed.
Go ahead call me a "single-issue" voter. A lot of folks use it as a weapon in a discussion because, you know, something that affects over 50% of the population is just another "issue" that's part of the usual wheeling and dealing between some old boys in an exclusive club.
Fortunately, the world does not revolve around white Bible-thumping men or their apologists who are committed to electing Democrats - any Democrats - even those like Conrad and Bayh.
I'm not oblivious to realpolitik. I just refuse to accept that people like Stupak, Nelson and Conrad have the power they wield unless we give it to them. Trying to get Democrats elected has not given me a drastically improved, less corporatist, non-misogynist, non-homophobic option.
"The Democrats are better than the Republicans" doesn't cut it. Electing more progressive candidates calls for some "purity trolling", especially when the "conservadems" are getting increasingly strident and successful at pushing their agenda.
I'm committed to the liberal cause. I'm just not into electing Democrats just because they claim not to be Republicans. I changed my party registration at rockthevote.com. I registered as "Independent", printed and signed the form and will mail it to my local election office. I will also fax a copy to TIm Kaine's office to let him know why it's increasingly difficult for me to support the type of candidates who have hijacked his party's voice and agenda.
Tim Kaine
Phone: (804) 786-2211
Fax: (804) 371-6351
When I find a progressive candidate (Democrat or otherwise), I will donate to and vote for him/her. Else, I'll vote for "Rudolph the Reindeer" and revel in being called a "purity troll".