"I just won't vote."
White House Press Secretary Gibbs had words for "The Professional Left". Words of anger and frustration. Reading a number of comments here, I now understand why.
As I mentioned in a comment, it really does sadden me to see such fragile feelings on the left. We're a party of chips on our shoulders apparently. No, not even that. I truly believe our party to be the party of self-cannibalization. Some are you have been upset and feel insulted. Perhaps you should understand why it is Gibbs felt it necessary to lash out.
Perhaps if you woke up every fine morning for the past 18 or 19 months to find that your administration is the subject of insult and ridicule simply because it has not delivered on every single fine pointed detail that its base desires, you might be a little upset too. Now, it's not a bad thing to have a high standards for your politicians, and especially not one who ran on a platform of changing the way Government works for the people. However, we have to be honest that he has received no quarter from any party of this country.
We mocked the right as they went on about how the HCR bill was socialism, but at the same time shook our fists in anger and called for the bill's death because it wasn't progressive enough.
We're willing to form a rallying cry to help get a bill passed despite right-wing opposition, yet immediately turn around and debase the Democrats in office because they had the audacity to water down the bill to get it passed rather than throwing their hands up in the air and passing nothing because of a filibusterer. How dare they pass something not perfect!
Obama himself didn't write a new law to overturn Don't Ask Don't Tell, so clearly he hates gays and lesbians and the democratic party which contains them.
The administration isn't perfect. Obama himself is far from it, but I didn't vote for him because of perfection, and I certainly didn't vote for him because we happen to share a skin tone. I voted for him, and the Democrats in general, because they usually follow a simple creed: Just Do Good.
If the Republicans could follow that creed, hell I'd vote for them too. But seeing as they don't and, from what we've seen of the primaries as of late, they won't, there just isn't really much else of a choice.
"That's nice and all, but my vote is my vote. It doesn't belong to a party and I'll use it how I damn well please and I won't be scared into doing otherwise."
Good for you. I'm proud that you have such a noble standing and set of ideals. As for me, I like the idea of being my brother's keeper. So while you selfishly keep your vote and stay home in November, I'm gonna be out voting for people who I think would best help my city and state.
And guess what: They'll probably be democrats.
So the next time you wanna get angry at something, how about directing that anger towards the true cause of this terrible state our country is in, or at who really caused the bill to fall short or fail. Instead of pointing and laughing at Republican lies, built up a database. Put those lies out there for everyone to see. Instead of damning Congressional democrats for conceding ground to the Republicans to get a bill passed, start getting the word out in your area about the harm they have done to a bill that would have otherwise benefited everyone around you.
Most importantly: Instead of sitting on your hands in 2010 and 2012 because our party hasn't been perfect because not voting will certainly show them who's boss, make the Republicans fight for their seats. We can gather together and create our own 50 state strategy. Volunteer at a call center, or find ways to call out Republican candidates for their harmful platform positions. Do something, just so long as you vote!
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