As progressives, it is our responsibility to speak about why we are the better party. We must ensure accurate, honest and positive progressive information is disseminated. We must debunk myth and sensationalistic misinformation. We must not let our emotions get in the way of the greater good in all of us. We are the democratic party and there ain't nothing that is going to change that...at least for me.
As an activist in the cyberspace, my main goal and responsibility is shaping the "right" positive message to encourage folks to see how a progressive platform is a better platform. I want to help ensure the well being of this country and the future of our kids are shaped towards a progressive ideology with the tools I have been given by us.
The POTUS is my tool. I elected him and I sure don't want to lose him to McPalin and Company. My Senators and Congressman are my tools. I elected them to deliver for me for at least 80% of what I want. I understand I have differences in the way I think on some ideologies compared to my Representatives but I would say in a bigger realm of things, we have more in common than not while I understand they are not perfect.
I support them all to push progressive ideologies. I believe in them that they have aligned themselves with you and I in the majority of our big tent issues. However, I also know change just does not depend on my three Representatives. Change depends on the political make up of many congressional districts and the States. I want that make up to be a Democratic controlled branch even with blue dog Democrats because the alternatives is not acceptable. I want the make up to shift fundamentally as I think it will if we are all focused on electing more and better(during primaries) Democrats.
The prize in the end is to have the power to change things ideologically. In order to get there, we all have to do some soul searching and determine our callings. Each of us have a level of determination to contribute at some level to shape how we want to see our country. The messaging is the key element to rally the "base" so that they will go out and vote to make up a Democratic controlled Branch of Government.
Yes, at times, I feel I won't see a significant turn of events immediately in my life time. That is because I am fighting for the future generation. That is the hope that gets me going. One thing for sure is I sure as hell will continue to fight against the Right Wing ideology that has hurt this country significantly. Another thing that is for sure is that we must continue the march towards what we have achieved in the last 18 months.
I came to Dkos to speak loud and clearly to energize the "base" to electing more Democrats. It is my responsibility to do that and what better venue to shape a united message than being around like mind progressives. It is our responsibility to rally our troops to effect change. As a father of three, I believe I am shaping their future via my activism. It is my responsibility to do that as an activist. I see it to be a necessity rather than a want. If you have an account at Dkos, I bet you feel some what the same way one way or another.
But, at times it is disappointing to be a kosack when we align ourselves with what some teabaggers say about our President. I understand there is disappointment but have we forgotten the purpose of why we are at Daily Kos? I don't believe we are here to wound on our President. Some have gotten to the point where dissent is no longer exclusive to policy rather it has become personal. My objective is not to point fingers but how quickly did we get from being a hope monger with so much passion to sensational mockery in just 18 months and how much is that helping us in shaping the future our country?
I am reminded of some of our accomplishments every day as I will keep repeating:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, College Tuition Inflation Bill increasing the amount of federal Pell Grant awards and stripping banks privileges as intermediaries for student loan servicing, Providing Benefits according to the Post 9/11 GI Bill, The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, Health Care Reform, SCHIP health-care program, Public Lands bill, Credit card industry reform, Jobs bill, Government Transparency especially on lobbyist’s access to the White House, The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, Extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, Instructed HHS to allow hospital visitation rights to LGBT couples, Banning of job discrimination based on gender identity, Giving benefits for Same-Sex Domestic Partners of Foreign Service Employees, Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending, Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court, Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, No permanent bases in Iraq, Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date, No torture policy, Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB, Housing rescue plan, US Auto industry rescue plan, Federal support for stem-cell research, Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient polluting old cars for new cars stimulating auto sales, Making more loans available to small businesses, Increased funding for the Violence Against Women Act, Expand the Nurse-Family Partnership to all low-income, first-time mothers, Increase minority access to capital, Establish a credit card bill of rights, Close the "doughnut hole" in Medicare prescription drug plan, Require insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions, Expand eligibility for Medicaid, Increase funding to expand community based prevention programs, Avoid teacher, cops, fire fighters layoffs and etc...
Let's not forget the above accomplishments on top of the many difficult challenges our country faces like fixing the deregulated U.S. financial system, trying to spur more job growth while slowing down the bleeding, working diligently to fully get out of Iraq, cleaning up the BP oil mess, etc., and that is against the exclusive party of NO.
I sometimes wonder if not for the direction of President Obama's leadership where my country would be in this difficult times under "McPalin". I truly believe that he has kept the most fragile economy he inherited and has kept it from sinking. The job is not finished as some would like it to be in a snap of the finger. I understand some people are hurting and are venting as is the case in our community and I truly feel sorry but being sorry won't do any good so I ask myself what can I do about it all? I always go back to "I must keep on keepin on" mantra. I must keep on firing up the "base" to go out and vote for progressive democrats. I can't let down even though there are forces that are always crawling to bit me in the ass. Hell no. I can't be complacent or pessimistic as it ain't going to help much of the big problems we have to solve.
The Optimism of Uncertainty by Howard Zinn is an article worth reading as I quote the last paragraph and bold is mine:
We don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. Even when we don't "win," there is fun and fulfillment in the fact that we have been involved, with other good people, in something worthwhile. We need hope. An optimist isn't necessarily a blithe, slightly sappy whistler in the dark of our time. To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places-and there are so many-where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don't have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.
So, for those of you who feel you got the short stick of the deal, those of you who are constantly unhappy because of your personal situation, those of you who are disappointed about what has not been accomplished, and those who feel you have been cheated, you have to somehow tone down the rhetoric and fight for the common purpose of why we are here at Daily Kos -- electing more Democrats and electing better Democrats during the Primaries.
If not, what is the alternative? Really! Yes, I wish every kossaks dream come true but again as Zinn said,"what we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something.".
I have a lot of hope to share and I can spare some. Can you say Amen?