As I watch the anger and frustration over HCR I am struck by a couple of things that I think some people have forgoten.
- Electing Barak Obama was not an end to the progressive struggle or victory over the wingnuts.
- Although we have majorities in the house and senate there are an awful lot of of conservadems who are closer to the repug way of thinking than we are willing to accept.
- As someone who grew up in the south I can attest that even though there are liberals and progerssives in Dixie we are outnumbered by the god and guns crowd by a large margin.
So What now?
I read the arguments of Jane Hamsher and Cenyk Unger with absolute horror. For us to go that way will validate the comments of Chris Matthews about us bitching from the back seat.
I intend to continue to support progressive candidates nationally and give money only to those progressives.
I intend to support quality challengers to conservadems and any and all repugs. Even though I a not a Connecticut citizen I will devote time and money to getting rid of Joe lieberman.
The arguments for and against HCR are valuable but while we can affect the current bill in small ways that fight is over and we need to look ahead.
As long as we have the current crop in the senate and to a lesser extent the house we will never actually achieve our goals.
Getting rid of the Stupaks, Joe Wilsons, Nelsons, Landrieu's and Liberman's is the only way to win.
Constantly bitching at Obama for working with the cards he has been dealt does not help.
We need to pressure Obama but also to find better Democrats. I am disappointed with his lack of fire and intend to continue to call him on things like LGBT issues. BUT He does not cast votes in the house or senate.
I intend to stay pissed off but channel the anger and focus on where it might actually achieve something. We have come a long way but this fight will never end so I suggest we stop thinking we won and get to work.
I will be ready for 2010 Let's show the wingnuts who really respresents America!