I must confess the reaction on this blog in the last few days by the diehard Obama Supporters has not encouraged me. If anything it's heightened my fear to what will happen to Democrats in 2008, regardless of who is the nominee, and the repercussions of this race.
First of all, if we disagree with someone, then lets disagree on issues of merit. Lets discuss policy and I am one to admit at times my posts have been those sometimes of irrational fears, but largely this is my diary, and its what I believe and feel at the time. However, the response has been overwhelmingly negative. So since one Obamanite says I am a mirror of the typical Clinton supporter, I am firing back this question, are you the typical Obama supporter? I hope not and ask where is your hope?
Yes, I understand being fully supportive of a candidate. I have schlepped to many a door for many a Democrat. I have argued the merits of a progressive agenda when it wasn't popular. I have given money when it could have been a movie that weekend for me to another candidate. I have paid my dues as it were, aside from just voting, but being actively invested in the Democratic Party and it's nominees.
So if I, as a Clinton supporter, have reservations why am I attacked and so violently? Even more so, why is it when someone lies on here, or takes something out of context, so many others join in like a pack of rabid dogs trying to tear me limb from limb.
I dare to utter a disagreeing word and suddenly I am made out to be a villain. SHAME ON YOU! You support a candidate who talks about HOPE and what you exude is exclusion, anger, hatred, and downright disenchantment.
Some say they want me to write positive comments. Well things are not so positive for me.
* I see Israel and it's existence threatened not just by terrorists blowing themselves up on buses and firing rockets to rain down on unsuspecting citizens. But I also see a government and a lobby trying to plead the case of the Palestinian people. Making the Palestinian case out to be one of an oppressed people, while ignoring history, and ignoring the fact there never was a Palestine....it's ALWAYS been Israel.
* As a member of the GLBT Community, I am not so worried about not marrying, as I am about the fact that economic rights are denied to me, my right to stay in motel/hotel or dine with a significant other are severely curtailed, and funding for diseases affecting my community are cut so we can fight a war in Iraq.
* All my blood brothers, not to mention many friends, are in Iraq and quite frankly whether it's Obama, Clinton, or Howdy Doody, I want to see our troops come home safely. Almost 4,000 men and women in the U.S. Uniform have given their lives so the Iraqi people can have a right at self-determination. Its time Iraq's citizens took care of their own nation and their government stops rebuilding their nation and consolidating its power through the blood of our US Service Men & Women!
* Funding is being cut for AMTRAK which aside from being enviromentally responsible is a more efficient and less stressful way to travel. However, the auto industry and the airline industry gets bailouts because of the large donations they give Members of Congress!
* Finally, I see our political system becoming the millionaires game. Its all suddenly about money and who has the most, not who has the best ideas. In fact if ideas were paramount, Doris Haddock would be a U.S. Senator from New Hampshire today. Democracy is slipping away from being a vehicle of citizen run government to becoming special-interest funded and warchest bulging incumbent laden sport that only entertains the trappings of a true people-led democracy.
* The economy....oi veh don't get me started.
So yes there are a lot of problems. But it begins here where one citizen comes to speak their mind and a motley crew shouts them down, insults them, disparages their characters, and self-gloatingly justifies itself.
So excuse me after I have been called a Troll, accused of Lying, falsely accused of seeking to gain monetary profit, and going through people making unfair, untrue, and downright disgusting questions about my character if I don't want to write that everything is coming up roses, because it's not.
Daily KOS was or used to be a site for citizens to freely come and exchange ideas. If this is becoming like OurCampaigns.com and EncyclopediaDramatica nothing more than a net version of Jerry Springer then its a waste of everybody's time and energy!
No, I hope this is not a reflection of Barack Obama and his supporters. I hope there is something better and I hope people stop and realize that the way they have acted endangers not just the Democrats, but democracy itself.
When Will There Be Change?
The answer is when we choose to make the change!