Consider a New Year's resolution to be more positive

[Cary]

What would happen if DU became a bastion of positive Democratic support and enthusiasm?

The horror! The horror!

I bet we would we would double or triple our membership. I would not have to waste keystrokes imploring people to address the subject, instead of changing the topic to "Cary sucks." Russian trolls would fall away as their efforts to disrupt us would prove futile, due to their obvious negativity and fear mongering.

We would actually be an asset, working towards our goals.

I wouldn't miss the negativity. I wouldn't miss it one bit.

[mcar]

1. I have no problem with discussion/debate on policy and issues

It's the "Dem A said this thing I disagree with. We have to primary him/her. All Dems suck" discourse I see on the internet that I'd like to see changed. It is not helpful and, no surprise, won't change peoples minds.

[Cary]

2. There is a line

Some have gone way over that line. We are too negative and the net effect of that negativity has been to suppress our turnout.

That's exactly what $$$Republicans need and want. I suggest we deprive them of that tactic.

[sheshe2]

3. I wouldn't miss the negativity either, Cary.

I can't tell you how many posts I read the past few days stating Democrats are 'spineless'. I don't find my Senator Warren, who is up for reelection, spineless. I am going to do everything I can to see that she is reelected. We need some unity to retake House and Senate.

[NurseJackie]

4. The "no difference" people and others accusing Dems of being "spineless" are out in force...

The "no difference" people and others accusing Dems of being "spineless" are out in force... and the same thing goes for the "it's okay to vote Green" people... they're running around all over the place trying to justify the value of their "protest vote".

I bet we would we would double or triple our membership.

I think membership would continue to grow at its current rate... no big "surge" in new signups. But it's conceivable that of the members who DO exist, there would be more participation.

Sadly... most people do not keep New Year's resolutions... and would return to their old unhealthy habits before February.

[ChubbyStar]

20. Your post are always so POSITIVE!!!

Thanks!!

[NurseJackie]

21. You're very welcome, ChubbyStar!

ChubbyStar (456 posts)
20. Your post are always so POSITIVE!!!

Thanks!!

You're very welcome, ChubbyStar! Thanks for noticing!

PS: In case you forgot, I'm still waiting on the 100+ gossipy PM's about me that you said that you received. Tick-tock. If you stick around in this thread, are you gonna make good on your "offer" to reveal them?

[Blue_Adept]

5. And women should smile more, too

Please, do continue to tell everyone how to cope with situations.

[Orrex]

7. I find your post to be highly inappropriate

And women should smile more, too

The preferred term in that context is "dames," "broads" or "chicks."

[Blue_Adept]

8. That humanizes them too much

[Gabi Hayes]

35. HerK!

Spew alert!

Made my day, along with Jeanne Moos analysis of pence’s rapturous, ravening gaze upon his anointed regnant sovereign, unclad as he is

[Cary]

10. Go preach "Cary sucks" in your own thread please.

I will not have it here.

[Eliot Rosewater]

15. Good for you standing up for yourself, I do realize UNCONDITIONAL support of the D party

is very dangerous here.

VERY dangerous.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[Blue_Adept]

18. I must have missed the rule that only some responses are allowed

[Cary]

24. I'm not surprised.

Shape up.

[nolabear]

13. I think you're completely distorting the concept. "Positive" doesn't have to mean shallow and nice.

And I'm surprised you don't know that. I'm positive we can fight these fools and I've got a lot of faith that if we don't discourage ourselves and eat our own by infighting with good people because we choose to magnify the negative we can defeat them.

Don't smile. Bare your teeth. And be positive that if we stand up together and welcome more people into our fight we can do great things.

[Blue_Adept]

17. Telling people to be positive when they're not feeling it

is the same as telling women to smile when they're not feeling it.

[nolabear]

22. What's the difference between "telling" and "encouraging"?

Not necessarily the same but I get your point. You feel they're the same. I don't.

It's possible to keep yourself in a state of helpless rage by only acknowledging things that reinforce it. You're free to not participate. But encouraging people to recognize that everything isn't shit is not, to me, the same as not acknowledging the seriousness and severity of the pain people feel. This isn't being aimed at you; it's being said into a room.

[Cary]

28. Name 5 great accomplishments of whiners, mopers, and losers

There is a lot of research on what negativity does to your brain and your physiology. Maybe you can parlay negativity into something?

Good luck. Let me know.

[brer cat]

34. The OP isn't TELLING anyone what to do.

He is asking us to consider a more positive approach and pointing out potential benefits of doing so. Obviously you are too invested in negativity and tossing out non sequiturs to give his post a thoughtful reply. Perhaps you could start your own OP demonstrating all the benefits you see to continuing negativity about our Party, and explaining how your lack of positive feelings should lead the rest of us to chose the same dismal path. I'm sure it would be very informative.

[Crunchy Frog]

37. And if they're depressed they should just buy themselves a new hat

And put on some makeup.

[Orrex]

6. I feel very positive when I imagine Trump having a debilitating stroke on live TV

The very idea of it fills me with joy and happiness, and for 2018 I resolve to evoke that feeling as often as I can.

[Cary]

9. And there you are!

See how easy that is?



(I didn't mean to include negativity towards fascists--that innures to our benefit.

[Orrex]

11. Yay for positivity!

[nolabear]

12. I absolutely agree. And I'm not talking about Pollyanna ignorance of the issues.

I'm talking about the "we're doomed" helplessness and shooting down of any positive suggestions with "yes, but" and pointing out the flaws of every person and idea not deemed perfect enough. It's literally disheartening. Discouraging. We're not stupid; we can be angry and determined and draw strength from the good in this country and this world.

Else what are we fighting for?

[Cary]

14. Exactly!

[Me.]

16. Would Be Very Progressive

[alarimer]

19. Positive? Or Honest?

Which do you want? Because you can't have both.

[nolabear]

23. What?

Seriously. I don't understand.

[alarimer]

42. Unwarranted optimism has led to numerous economic crises, among other things

We also are obligated to hold our elected officials' feet to the fire. We cannot just sit back and hope everything is going to be okay. We cannot just accept that, because they are Democrats, they will always do the right thing. Clearly that is not true. So it is up to us, the voters and constituents to hold them accountable.

Plus, urging people to "be positive" all the time when they are not feeling it is counterproductive. Barbara Ehrenreich wrote "Brightsided" about this very thing, in relation to a serious diagnosis, where people are urged to "think positively" instead of realistically. It's a false promise and it is undermining this country in various large and small ways. It was denial and the failure to consider mortgage defaults that led to the economic crisis. Our country is suffused (or has been at least) with reckless optimism.

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113758696

[Cary]

25. Prove it.

I'll wait, but not holding my breath.

[alarimer]

41. Happy-crappy bullshit will get us nowhere.

Just yesterday, a bunch of so-called Democrats voted for the continuing resolution, despite promises not to do so if it didn't contain a resolution to DACA. They had leverage. The R's needed their votes to continue operating the government, but they kept their fucking powder dry yet again.

So, fuck positivity. Positive thinking is just sticking fingers in your ears and refusing to listen to reality.

[Cary]

43. I.have no idea what you're talking about

[Irish_Dem]

26. You see Cary, even a thread about being positive is a food fight. nt

[Cary]

29. I expected negative people to get defensive

Why?

People who are negative are negative because they want to be negative.

[Irish_Dem]

33. I think it is more than that. The people here tend to be independent thinkers,

they are educated, sophisticated and well read in general. And the idea of having to adhere to one point of view, philosophy, feeling, what have you, might go against the grain. And to be positive all the time might feel disingenuous, not honest, when the situation being discussed is far from positive.

And I don't really think a lot of people want to be negative. These are dark times, our hearts are broken by events as we see a country and people we love suffer great damage.

But I think you have a point. I can be as cynical as the next person, but I learned from Obama and Biden, that you have to keep a positive attitude and just keep trudging forward.

[Cary]

38. Everyone is different.

Some people are malicious. The telltale sign for malice is deflection. That tactic, especially when it's an ad hominem, is inexcusable. That tactic is anti-intellectual and an assault on facts and reason.

[Irish_Dem]

40. Yes if someone just wants a bar fight, you can hit the ignore button.

Don't match their energy.

[VOX]

27. Lets replace Rachel Maddow with Tony Robbins.

Presto! The Russian coup and burgeoning American fascism will just be wished into the cornfield.

Feel better already, damn! All is well!

[Cary]

30. You missed my point.

Sorry.

[Cary]

31. Answer this question, the first sentence of my opening post:

"What would happen if DU became a bastion of positive Democratic support and enthusiasm?"

[VOX]

32. In *normal* times, thatd be a great idea. But when the U.S. is a de facto Russian satellite state

It’s not the best strategy. Like it or not (and I do NOT like it), we are involved in a street fight for our democracy. DU cannot be a “happy place” when the country is in complete upheaval.

People need to vent, and DU allows that. It was born out of the frustration of Bill Clinton’s persecution by the right wing.
What are we to do with a “positive Democratic site”? Alert the mods when someone commits a negative-thought crime?

On top of that, I feel better when I’m surrounded by Democrats who want to fight hard and push back. Being nice, positive, pure, and on the moral has gained Democrats/progressives NOTHING.

[Cary]

39. Where did I say don't push back?

You really have my point. I don't understand how you managed to do that.

[aikoaiko]

36. I'm not so sure you wouldn't miss the negative and sometimes viscious rherotic of DU