For days now, I've been reading post after post about the war in Afghanistan. The President should do this, he should do that, it's what he campaigned on, he's a betrayer, and so on and so on and so on.
Now he's outlined his plan and that's that. We can protest, if that's the way we feel, but it's not going to change anything. His agenda is winding its way through Congress, where fake Democrats are making petty bids for power.
And what do we hear? He's a betrayer, he is a one term President, he will be primaried, and so on and so on and so on. We are too busy either criticising or supporting and keeping this back and forth going to realize that there is something more important.
What are we going to do in 2010 and 2012? Right now we are acting like the old PLO--"they never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity". There are several people up for re-election that have to go. Have we found primary opponents for them? Will their loss of seats from us not voting result in Republican majority? Someone even posted that the President will be primaried in 2012, lose the primary, and the opponent will win the general election. And they sounded HAPPY!
Are you kidding me?
Think about it. No matter how shitty the HCR bill may be in the end, no matter how far along immigration reform is, no matter how much progress on DADT, DOMA, and other LGBT issues we make, you damn well better believe that when they win back congress and the WH, they will take apart EVERYTHING and leave the progressive, or hell, even slightly left of center aganda in tiny little pieces so small they will never be able to be put back together again.
Is that what you want because the President is not far enough left for you?
We have had great successes in phoning Congress, making our voices heard, and generally keeping the Congress' feet in the fire. This is what we need to keep doing. We CANNOT abandon the political system because it is hard, or things don't go exactly our way. All this does is open the doors for the likes of Glenn Beck and others.
So, disagree and criticise all you like, if that's how you feel. Support him as much as you like if that's how you feel. Just remember who's hiding under the bed and ready to destroy our country. And if you don't want to participate either through time or financially, at least VOTE.
Remember, this is what he campaigned on. He did not promise a highly progressive agenda. He promised to restore the balance between the branches of government. If he repeals DADT with the stroke of a pen, for instance, the next president or congress can undo that in an instant. That's why is has to be done in Congress, for example. If he just orders prosecutions, what's to stop the next Republican president for prosecuting him on trumped up charges? You know they will do it. Part of what he is doing is showing Americans how things should work, rather than the way things have been done for the past 30 years. Is it frustrating? Yep. Is it less than progressive? You bet. Will there be things that aren't progressive at all in his agenda? Unfortunately. Should be criticize and agitate and make our calls and send our letters and such? Hell yes.
But that doesn't mean I'm going to not vote for Democrats.
I don't want some right wing nutjob turning this country into a fascist theocratic dictatorship, and neither should you. That should be one of our top priorities going forward. If we want progressive change, we have a better chance with Democrats than no chance with Republicans. So I am going to vote.
Because I don't want to lose what chances we have.
Now that's my rant. Now let's work to keep the Bachmanns Palins, Becks, Limbaughs, and their ilk away from power from as long as possible.
UPDATE Once again, I thank everyone for the Rec List, and on a side note, I love the new PP skin up. Let's get this Cheney (euphamism for Stupak) out of the HCR bill!