Perhaps because I'm an immigrant (now naturalized), government was a distant entity for a long time, so I'm impressed when elected officials reach out to us here, to regular people: Reps. Conyers and Slaughter and now Senator Obama, just to cite a few examples. Whether or not we agree with them about specific policies, it's in our best interest and theirs to have them as allies, and we must treat them courteously if we hope to stay in contact.
I was horrified by some of the reactions, including the diary entitled I don't give a rat's ass about DeLay or Obama.
The diary ends with this quote:
We need help.
If someone told me they didn't give a rat's ass about me, especially after I had tried to converse with them, I wouldn't give a rat's ass about them or their needs, and that would be the very last time I'd ever reach out to them. DailyKos? They're crazy. That's the impression we're creating, and all it takes is a minority who are insulting to create that impression. If you want to make them care about your needs and opinions, don't dismiss theirs (or them).
This diary in particular doesn't make sense to me, because it's asking for the impossible from the Democrats, who are not in power. It's pretty tough fighting fascism, and I trust that many Democrats in elected are as horrified as we are.
Taking these criminals down is glorious. Now I plead for just one democrat to step forward and assure me that they recognize that we can't hang on much longer. The middle class in this country is being destoyed in just the same way as the middle class in Iraq has been all but vanquished.
"Taking these criminals down" and "the coming implosion of the House of Bush" are precisely among the best things that can happen toward your goals of decent jobs, healthcare, and fiscal responsibility. As long as the Republicans are in power, things will only get worse. Since it's in our best interest to help Democrats gain power, it isn't in our best interest to insult and alienate them. Let's stop fascism first and only then can we hope to address the grave ills of this country. I trust that Democratic leaders realize fully what is happening to the middle class, but you saw where it got John Kerry and John Edwards to point out how the bad economic news and present rational policies. People were still willing to vote for Bush in large numbers. Hopefully enough of them have woken up by now, and yet more will wake up when all those crooks are indicted. Personally, I'll be thrilled.
Even if I disagree with his opinions, I appreciate Senator Obama's diary and I hope we didn't scare him away. Let's try to exhibit a more respectful tone toward our allies in the future.