I've read the arguments about why the party shouldn't HAVE to bring up ideas to fix the debacle(s).
'We're the opposition party.'
'They're in charge.'
'They have two if not all three of the branches of gov't.'
But what of those people who are PO'ed and have no direction to focus their energy? A direction by which to focus their anger in order to feel that what actions they take will matter instead of just reacting in anger at the failings of this Administration and the Republicans who repeatedly fail the US? People like to point out other's shortcomings in order to feel better about themselves, but they feel much better when there's accomplishment of something done correctly.
It's easy to see what's wrong with the supporters of the Republicans and the Conservative agenda. They don't see PAST their initial reactions.
Oh sure - there are those radicals who fully believe that they are right and there are those who are looking to gain power, hold power and further their own agendas no matter the cost to everyone else.
But let's get back to the ability to get PAST one's initial knee-jerk reaction to that presented to them.
Blow up my city? - I'll kill every one of you.
Hate my religion? - I'll destroy yours.
I'm having trouble paying my bills. - The Gov't takes too much of my money and I deserve a tax break.
What they're doing isn't right or natural. - I'll make laws against it to stop them.
There's a reason why the more educated a person, the more likely they are to have a liberal/progressive mindset. They can think PAST the initial data set provided to them. They can consider other points of view. Stand them up against the original and make an assesment. Be critical and against the original or be critical and for the original (making suggestions to make it better). Even those who are against an orginal presentation can point out the shortcomings, downfalls and eventual failing and suggest ways to fix it.
No Child Left Behind? In principle, it's a great idea. We all know where it's failed, from the methodologies of measurement to the underfunding.
The NOLA reconstruction? Once again - the principle is great, the methods by which the Republicans want to go about it is flawed up and down, from getting around the wages, affirmative action and again bringing in the Bechtel's and Halliburton's.
Now that the setup is done... are OUR representatives Gun Shy? Are they afraid of introducing fixes to issues because they are afraid of criticism? Are they afraid of being ridiculed by Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter and O'Reilly? Are they afraid of the slime machine that funded by the millions by the fascist hoarde?
It's been said that whether 1, 100 or a million people say a stupid thing - it's still a stupid thing. Those who speak smart things get the same consideration.
Is it Gun Shy or we can't figure out their next move and pre-empt it?
We're 13 months out from the next election that can stem the tide of these people out to destroy America and turn it into the United States Under Jesus, Armageddon and Rapture be our name. Survival of the Fittest being replaced by Survival of the Richest. Where people defend the ultra rich and their own personal right to live vicariously through those who have while living as a have not.
What should we do about Iraq? Be more realistic in your presentation - We're going to get out soon, and let the Iraqi gov't know that they have to get their shit together quickly, because it'll be easier to fix the problems with the system while we're there than if we're not - but we're not going to stick around while you shuffle your feet, deflecting blame upon the US.
What should we do about NOLA? We need to address the reconstruction and who's going to do it - real wages for a real day's work done by the people who live there. Taking a real opportunity to rezone the city to bring it to the 21st century instead of building around that which couldn't anticipate the progresses 300 years later. State of the Art and a testement to American ability.
We need to address getting the Saudi monkey off our backs by getting us away from independence upon their oil.
We need to address getting the Chinese monkey off our backs by getting rid of our deficits.
I'm not talking about isolationism - I'm talking about cleaning our own backyard before pointing at someone else's.
I'm REALLY talking about bringing an agenda to the American people they can get behind.
When the Conservatives talk about Education funding - isn't it easy enough to say that "I wouldn't even be talking against this if it was setup and funded the way it was promised"?
When talking about the Environment - "If Clean Skies meant Clean Skies, I'd be supporting it rather than trying to FIX it" - rather than lambasting it?
SOLUTIONS is what Progressivism is about. Identifying a Problem without a solution is just a complaint.
NOBODY likes whiners. NOBODY.
Our leaders have been beaten up, mischaracterized and ridiculed by those who can't see PAST their selfishness. Our leaders, while not always on the right side (E.G. Giving Bush the ability to go into Iraq), are getting better. Like someone thrown from a horse and "gun shy" about getting back on, they need to get PAST their fears and not be Gun Shy anymore.
All of us can give them that confidence by supporting them when they do right and by being creative in our solutions for when we see them doing wrong.