So as I sit here in Finland working (and freezing) because there is simply no work to be had (I'm in the music business) in my home (Los Angeles) I received an email from the Democratic Party, asking me to take part in a survey about how I feel about the direction of the party. I was more than happy to oblige. For anyone that receives this email: let them have it. THEY NEED TO HEAR how completely frustrated we (the base of the party) are with this entire facade of leadership that the DC Dems have been offering. Only the insiders could take huge majorities in both houses and the Presidency, and take us here...... in 2 years. Yes, the GOP has united against us, but most of these wounds are self inflicted by lack of direction and leadership and an absolute lack of guts, courage and fortitude. It is not enough, and its time to call a spade a spade. Here is my response.
Question: How would you describe the current political climate?
Response:
Awful. President Obama has let the nation and his party down by not forcefully standing behind the principles and agenda that he campaigned on. This is NOT what we voted for. I have lost faith completely in his leadership. While there are a few principled members of congress left, many of the members that I identified with were defeated due to Obamas lack of clear leadership. He, and the DNC left them out to dry. He has allowed himself and the entire party to be dragged down by a party that still has no ideas. While "bi-partisanship" is a noble goal, its insane to consider when you are dealing with a united opposing party that has NO interest in hearing anything you have to say and has NO interest in working with you to get anything done. Who is the sucker here? WE ARE. I am thinking of changing my voter affiliation to independent. I thought things had changed for the better in 2008 but little did I know it would be for the worse. By not standing up for OUR principles, he has allowed THE ENTIRE PARTY and the progressive platform to be easily tarred and feathered by the rock throwing minority. Several of the best and brightest in the house were swept out to sea by a tsunami that was created not by a lack of ideas but by the lack of a forceful application of those ideas. AMERICANS HATE WIMPS!!! You must fight and move forward! When the boat is dead in the water its easy to sink, and that is EXACTLY what has happened. I could NOT BE MORE DISAPPOINTED to be a Democrat at this time.
Question: What do you believe the Democratic Party stands for?
Right now? I have no idea. And neither do you. Isn't that why you are asking us? Doesn't this strike you as odd that you are asking me? Dont YOU know? When its at its best, it stands for the collective voice of the working people of this country. When its at its worst (such as it is now) its a waffling group of pandering pols that will do anything or say anything to get or stay elected or to pander to those who are willing to give them great amounts of money. We have NO soul in our leadership at this time. Where is the guts? You tell me! WHAT DO WE STAND FOR. The best defense is a good offense. And we have NO offense. Until the party takes an aggressive stand FOR the working people of this country that make less than 100K with simple, sensible solutions primarily to employment, wall street reform, tax fairness, the deficit and money in politics, I see the party going the way of the Whigs. An agenda is needed that promotes progressive ideas on all of these fronts, as they are the solutions that will benefit the most americans......not to mention save our economy and the middle class on which this nation is built. Its time for the party to call it as it sees it. What you are "doing" (I use that phrase loosely) is CLEARLY not working. Did you not notice the election that we just got CREAMED in? If it means removing some from the illusive "center" (cue Ben Nelson) from positions of power within the party, it must happen. Ben Nelson is not the Democratic Party, and he certainly is not the future. He and a few other DEMOCRATS have stalled the entire agenda, and Obama didnt have the balls to twist their arms. Why is he a chairman when he is against SO many of the things that are IN THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM ON WHICH WE VOTED IN 2008? Nor is Geitner. Nor is Larry Summers. Americans hate these arrogant Wall Street types.....and what do you do? Give them unelected jobs with enormous power!! Can you NOT see how that is offensive??!!! I dont care how smart these guys are. They cant see past their own bank accounts and egos. The same could be said for so many others. If we still have the majority in the Senate, we MUST push for an overhaul of Senate rules, as all of our decent legislation that PASSED the house never saw the light of day in the Senate. Even if we become the minority in both houses, a unified message is far superior to the infighting and lack of focus that exists now. Its a JOKE. Our ideas are defeated more by friendly fire than anything from the outside, GOP, teaparty or otherwise. We are destroying ourselves. The youth (me) of this country have HAD ENOUGH with all politicians who think that their focus group tested themes trotted out on cable news actually mean something. They DO NOT. It IS NOT WORKING. You are wasting your time, energy and resources. You are stuck in the 80's. The soundbite society is over. If you dont play their silly game (the media) you cant lose at it. The only people who care are the mainstream mediatainment world that makes MONEY or reporting on the horserace. Screw them. Screw the 24 hour news cycle and fight for what is right. WE ARE NOT THIS DUMB. Until you offer us legitimate, intelligent, common sense government or at the minimum A FIGHT for the principles that this party (and I would argue THIS COUNTRY) are founded on, leave me (and I would dare say most like me) alone. Don't you DARE ask me for money until you show me something. This country is going to hell in a hand basket. Working in Europe (as I have been forced to do) has made that SO COMPLETELY APPARENT TO ME. The future of this party is NOT in giving in and accepting GOP principles about taxation, certainly when the VAST majority of Americans agree with the progressive wing of our own party. We had a chance with a winning issue (eliminating the Bush tax cuts for the rich), and what do we do? WE GIVE IT AWAY. AND MORE. And to add insult to injury throw SOCIAL SECURITY of all things into the mix. Do you honestly think that by offering a "payroll tax holiday" that the GOP will EVER EVER want to give it back? NEVER!!! You are risking destroying the institution that has provided security for the elderly in disabled in this country (social security) by using it as a bargaining chip to get what.....???? A ONE YEAR EXTENSION OF UNEMPLOYMENT. Are you serious??!!! WAKE THE HELL UP!! Hello!!!! I am currently writing this from Finland, where I am working, because there is NO WORK FOR ME in America right now. Thats right, there are now American LABOR MIGRANTS traveling to Europe to work, as there is NO money in America for many people. What do we do? Have the fed loan money to the banks for nothing thinking they will in turn increase credit for economic growth..... and what are they doing? Using the money to bet the market and consolidate ownership. And our leadership looks the other way. Yes, the rich get richer, on the governments dime no less, and I go to Finland and freeze my ass off and watch you clowns bet me further down the river. Do you not see this? Democratic leadership on these issues in INEXCUSABLE. Unless you guys in DC wake the hell up, you WILL NEVER SEE MY VOTE AGAIN. Am I making myself clear??? I am not a dummy. I know this shit far better than the average Joe. I WANT you guys to win. And here I am nearly breaking up with you??? WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU?? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get you act together and FIGHT for me, and all Americans who are suffering thru this. Don't blame the GOP. They are an easy target. The blame lies SQUARELY with the Democratic leadership and the Democratic party. You just don't have the stomach to fight them. Realize this: Fighting them IS bi- partisan ship: its called standing up for OUR ideas. They need to see it from our end of things too!! Working WITH them (and worse yet, accepting their insane arguments and solutions as legitimate) only makes US look weak and lacking in ideas....and principles. Its common knowledge that we ALWAYS roll over and give up. Even when OUR solutions are the correct ones. Our ideas (and many of the bills that died in the house last congress) benefit MOST AMERICANS, not the rich, who seems to have hijacked a once promising agenda RIGHT FROM THE START in 2008, primarily in the Senate, in which we nearly had a SUPER MAJORITY. This is a DEMOCRATIC problem.The GOP even clearly stated that they will vote NO on everything. And you still insisted on negotiating. What a waste of breath that was, yet you continue on to this day in denial of reality. Please PLEASE get your act together once and for all.
Question: Why are you a Democrat?
Answer:
Thats a good damn question. I really have no idea why anymore. Unless things start to turn around and unless I see a fight, I am considering other options.