President Obama will be in office until January, 2017.

[MineralMan]

That will not change. I listen to his addresses and remarks, and wish the things he proposes would be enacted, almost all of the time. That is not happening, in most cases.

Here on DU, I see a lot of people complaining that President Obama isn't getting anything done. Why is that? It's because he has a House of Representatives with a majority of Republicans, and a Speaker who is determined that nothing Obama wants is going to be enacted. It is because the Senate has an extremely thin majority of Democrats and archaic rules that make it possible for just a single Republican to effectively block legislation and confirmation of appointments.

The President keeps trying to get stuff through Congress, even bending too far, sometimes, in the direction of Republicans, but the Republicans are entrenched in the idea that nothing he wants should happen, and will do everything in their power to keep those things from happening. Sadly, they are successful, primarily because the House has a strong majority of Republicans.

I'm tired of President Obama getting the blame. I understand how our federal government works, and if the President doesn't have a majority in both houses of Congress, shit's not going to get done. Period. It's far too easy to block anything.

So, what to do? Here's what I suggest:

Let's put all our energy into changing Congress. We have a chance, in 2014, to do that, and again in 2016. Instead of complaining and whining about our Democratic President not being able to do anything, why don't we give him a Congress that will help him do things? Is that such a crazy idea?

Let's start right now. Today. Let's find the candidates we need and campaign our asses off for them and get them elected. Clearly, the general population is extremely dissatisfied with Congress, so let's take advantage of that and fix it. If we start now, we can get it done. But, we'll have to turn our attention on that issue, rather than on all the things we're not satisfied with because of Congress. Let's fix it. Let's put our energy into finding solutions and the candidates who will make them happen, rather than just whining about things not happening.

Let's talk about that. Let's talk about how we might use the talent, skills, and experience of DUers to get the job done of turning Congress around. In 2016, we'll elect a new President. For now, lets deal with what we can change now, and that's Congress. And don't forget your state legislature, either. That's equally important, wherever you are.

What do you say? Shall we do this, or shall we simply cave in and let the status quo continue in our state and national legislatures? I'm going to do what I can, where I live, and with the resources I have available. I'm going to make that my primary activism for the next three years. Who will join me in the places they live?

Yes, I'm an optimist. Yes, I'm convinced that we can still accomplish this. And yes, I'm going to do whatever I can to make it happen. I hope you'l join me and the rest of the Democrats in the United States and get this job done. If we do not, the loss will be a shame on everyone who didn't bother or sat on their hands.

It's time to get to work, folks! We're wasting precious time going over things we can't fix again and again.

GOTV 2014 and Beyond!

[Pretzel_Warrior]

1. MAJOR KICK! It is so simple, it may escape some people.

[MineralMan]

2. This is not the first time I've suggested this, either.

I guess it's not as much fun to actually work on solutions as it is to trash the current elected officials. That's incredibly easy. Getting progressive candidates, or just plain Democrats, where they're the only ones who could possibly be elected, is hard work.

It's easy to complain and criticize on an Internet forum. It's harder to work on actual elections. Maybe that's the problem.

[trueblue2007]

88. KICK AND RECOMMEND

[MaeScott]

146. K and r too!

[MineralMan]

3. And, yes, I did K&R my own post.

If that's a problem, there it is.

[JustAnotherGen]

4. I will always

K & R your posts MM. See - you have an overwhelming need to impart reason and common sense on the DU population.

[MineralMan]

5. Thank you very much.

I'm a practical guy. I want to get things done. That works better than just complaining about how things are.

[Fumesucker]

7. He did just the same to FR when he was posting there

Some things never change.

[MineralMan]

10. That was a long time ago, but yes,

I did try to bring reason to that place. I failed. I hope I don't fail here.

[JustAnotherGen]

19. MM

Okay - now it makes sense. And I'm sure after awhile you realized - they simply can't be reasoned with.

Which is pretty much what the broken record 'cults' at DU are beginning to make me think of them. We have a few cults of thought here (I'm in one in terms of African American issues) - but at least my cult is pro the Democratic Party.

[MineralMan]

29. I left there in 2006, after America elected Democratic majorities

in the House and Senate. I came to DU in 2008. In between, I was campaigning for Democrats in Minnesota. We won. In 2014, I'll be doing the same thing, just as I have done for every election since 1964, even before I was old enough to vote.

People bring up the period when I posted at that other site whenever I say something that they don't like. I didn't even change screen names, so it's no secret. They can do that, but it won't affect what I do politically, and that is to help Democrats get elected to office. In 2008, I helped get Al Franken elected to the Senate. I worked for Betty McCollum in MN CD-4, and she's doing a great job. I worked to elect progressives to the MN state legislature in my districts. They won.

That works. Writing on Internet forums is just something to do in off times. I'm doing that less right now. There's a candidate to find for MN CD-6, where Michele Bachmann is bailing. I think that we might just find a Democrat who can get elected there. It won't be easy, but that's what I'm doing. That district is adjacent to my own, which is secure for Betty McCollum. So, I'm going to focus on CD-6. That would be a pickup for Democrats. That's exactly what we need.

I don't care what people say about me here. I'm saying what I believe here. That's what I can do. Other people's opinions of what I say don't matter to me.

[JustAnotherGen]

11. Seriously?

You are accusing MineralMan of being a bottom feeding knuckle dragging indieteapublican?

That's fucking rick buddy.

See - he's reasonable. I'm the Angry Black Woman Rush Limpballs warned you about!

[Fumesucker]

17. Honestly I have no idea what he is

By his own admission he posted at FR for years, I've posted on conservative boards also but almost always as a liberal, liberals don't last more than a post or two on FR.

[JustAnotherGen]

27. Naaaah

MM is one of the good guys.

And do you know where my user name comes from? An old blog called Generation Whatever.

We had pretty good traction too. It was a nod to the cynical viewpoint of Gen X'ers to just about everything. It was me 'justanothergen' and two other gens - all the same age . . . One was a hard line conservative, one middle of the road, and then me.

And all hell broke loose when Facebook came 'out' and we had a page there. And folks (mostly conservatives) were railing against the 'con' THIS gen pulled on them. Blog is defunct now - but I'll be damned if I would let politics cause arguments with two good friends of mine. But it was a LOT of fun when Super Conservative Gen would pull FR there and cause confusion because I was posting in glee that we took back the House in 2006.

Hilarity and laughter ensued on many a three way call with three bottles of wine, two packs of marlboro lights, and on pack of American Spirits. Hilarity and Laughter ensued.

It's the virtual world - it's one big con. It means nothing at the end of the day - except that we are all another day older.

[Fumesucker]

37. I've seen MM pull enough underhanded shenanigans here that I'm not a fan

As you can probably tell.

I have a fairly recent OP up about my experience posting on conservative boards.

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/10023165699

[Bluenorthwest]

84. I have to agree with Fumesucker and add that he lied to me and about me.

Here is one of his high drama 'apologies' for his anti gay and racist work on FR, from his own journal here.
"I did write that, although not in those exact words. I was very wrong to do so, and it is not true. What I wrote was based on incorrect information. I no longer believe that in any way. After writing that, a number of years ago, I learned the actual facts of the matter. I learned that there is no connection between orientation and the likelihood that someone is likely to desire sex with underaged people.

Knowing that, I'm ashamed that I once thought otherwise, and wrote what I wrote. Since the time I wrote that, I've gotten a thorough education on the subject, thanks to some very kind LGBT people I've met. I was wrong. I am very sorry that I ever said such a thing. Since I learned the truth, I have come a long way in my understanding of LGBT issues. I'm in full support of erasing any prejudices against LGBT people. I'm actively working for marriage equality in Minnesota, where a constitutional amendment is going to come up for a vote in November. I've posted a call to other DFLers to work against this amendment on the web site of the DFL precinct where I am the chair. A link to that call is in my signature line.

I cannot delete the post on Free Republic. I was banned there in 2006 as an anti-freeper. If I could delete it, I would. I kept the same screen name I used there, knowing that people would find the things I wrote there. I'm not anonymous, and my real identity can be found at the links in my signature line.

I won't ask for forgiveness for what I wrote. I will say that I would never say anything of that nature again. I was misinformed. I am not misinformed any longer. I am sorry that I wrote that and know that it was hurtful and damaging.

I normally do not post in this group. I still won't, because I know that many here don't want to see my face, and I understand that. I'd probably feel the same way. I will never say anything of the sort again, because I don't believe anything of the sort.

I apologize. I deeply regret my ignorance and my words that were based on that ignorance. I was woefully mistaken, and regret that very much.

You can count on my wholehearted support for LGBT rights issues, for marriage equality, and you can count on me not to say such things now or in the future.

I ask for your understanding, if not your forgiveness. I can't ask for that forgiveness. I can only try to demonstrate my good faith now and in the future.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/~MineralMan

[Squinch]

127. That seems like quite the unequivocal apology. And from what I've seen of his posts, he

is one of ours. I've often seen him criticized for being a former freeper, but I've never seen a post from him that espoused any freeperisms.

If we disqualify people because they once voted for the other side, how will we ever expand our numbers?

As for anything personal between you and him, I couldn't comment, because I never saw it.

[jazzimov]

14. So you don't support GOTV for Dems?

[Fumesucker]

21. Reading is fundamental

I said nothing like that, not sure how you got it from what I did say.

[arely staircase]

57. yawn

everyone who has been here for a while knows he used to post there and the whole boring story behind it.

[William769]

6. Kick & recommended.

[MineralMan]

8. Thanks! I appreciate that.

[upaloopa]

9. I ask you this. Since you seem to know the root

of the problem is Congress and they won't let anything pass, why doesn't Obama work on that? Find ways to help people get around the voting restrictions. Get the justice department to go after unfair redistricting. Give speeches rallying people to kick out the repubs in Congress.
Another speech about what should be but can't because of Congress is a waste of words. .

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

13. Actually, that's exactly what Holder is doing...

Did you read today's paper? He's going after Texas and other states with these voter laws.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/25/eric-holder-texas-voting-law_n_3652367.html

[MineralMan]

18. Yup. We only see what we want to see, and disregard the rest.

We aren't paying attention, I think.

Texas can turn Blue in 2014. It truly can, if Texans make it happen. I'm not a Texan, so I can't do that, but Texans can.

[JustAnotherGen]

31. +1

On 'We only see what we want to see.'

But I'm not sure Holder can hold back this tide. I think folks are going to have to wait until 2020 for Texas to go blue.

[MineralMan]

38. You may be right, but the work to do it starts now.

Every legislative election is important, both state and federal. They are all local elections, and need dedicated activists in each district to make change happen. If we can win just a few districts for Democrats who will replace a Republican, we win. We can do that. We must do that.

[JustAnotherGen]

41. I agree

I'm doing some leg work for a candidate in NJ's 7th. I don't know if we can win it - but I'm going to try. I tried for Stender twice, Potosnak, and Chivukula (2012). And this October - we have a Senate Race (dialing for Pallone in the Primary next month). And then November - a chance at stopping Christie in his tracks.

My husband is a small business owner. So these elections are critical to us. We can't do much in PA (where his Iron and Metal Works studio is) but we'll do what we can for the HVAC co. And there is nothing about the Republican Party that is for immigrant small business owners who play by the rules. Nothing at all.

[MineralMan]

42. Thank you for what you are doing. It's important!

Keep on.

[upaloopa]

99. I know the Holder vs Texas story

The administration needs to talk that up

[MineralMan]

15. You know, the President is a busy guy. You want to

help people get registered and vote? Do that. Voting is local. The President is national. If your state makes it hard for some people to vote, help them get past those obstacles. You can do that.

Problems with redistricting? Elect people to your state legislature who will change the laws that cover redistricting. That's what the people of Minnesota did, and our redistricting went just fine in 2011.

You want speeches about getting the Republicans out of power? Make some. Speak up. Do it where you live. Make something happen where you live. Every election for a member of the House of Representatives is a local election. I could walk the circumference of my Congressional district in a day. I walk every street of my precinct every election and talk to voters about the election.

Don't rely on the President to do what is your job. Do that job.

[upaloopa]

101. The President has the bully pulpit. No one else has.

I asking that he use it to defeat repubs rather talk about pie in the sky programs.
You are right everyone has a roll to play and Obama is one of everyone. He is out campaigning for something we know won't get past Congress. Is that the busy you speak of?

[MineralMan]

140. And he uses that bully pulpit.

Trouble is, even on DU, nobody's listening.

As for being busy, you can see the President's schedule at http://www.whitehouse.gov/schedule/complete/2013-07-25

That's yesterday's schedule. Today's schedule hasn't been uploaded yet.

You think he's just sitting in the White House with his feet up?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. And thank God for that!!!

[woo me with science]

16. Again this fairy tale that the President is merely being obstructed?

Must be the talking point for today. But what brazen, Orwellian nonsense.

Simple reality shows the truth. The actual record doesn't show a President trying to enact an agenda for the people and being obstructed. It shows him working aggressively and proactively, over and over again, to install corporatists into his administration and to enact the predatory agenda of the corporate one percent.

Corporate and bank-cozy appointments, over and over again, including major appointments like:

A serial defender of corrupt bankers for the SEC; the architect of "Kill Lists" and supporter of torture, drone wars, and telecom immunity for the CIA; and a Monsanto VP who has lied and been involved in extremely disturbing claims regarding food safety for the FDA. An Attorney General who has not prosecuted a single large bank but wages war against medical marijuana users and *for* strip searches and warrantless surveillance of Americans. Tim Geithner. Penny Pritzker. And now outrageous endorsements for Larry Summers and Ray Kelly.

Bailouts and settlements for corrupt banks (with personal pressure from Obama to attorneys general to approve them),
Refusal by Obama's DOJ to prosecute even huge, egregious examples of bank fraud (i.e, HSBC)
signing NDAA to allow indefinite detention,
"Kill lists" and claiming of the right to assassinate even American citizens without trial
Expansion of wars into several new countries
A renewed public advocacy for the concept of preemptive war
Drone campaigns in multiple countries with whom we are not at war
Proliferation of military drones in our skies
Federal targeting of Occupy for surveillance and militarized response to peaceful protesters
Fighting all the way to the Supreme Court for warrantless surveillance
Fighting all the way to the Supreme Court for strip searches for any arrestee
Supporting and signing Internet-censoring and privacy-violating measures like ACTA
Support for corporate groping and naked scanning of Americans seeking to travel
A new, massive spy center for warrantless access to Americans' phone calls, emails, and internet use
Support of legal immunity for telecoms/warrantless wiretapping
Support of legislation to legalize massive surveillance of Americans
Militarized police departments, through federal grants
Marijuana users and medical marijuana clinics under assault,
Skyrocketing of the budget for prisons.
Failing to veto a bipartisan vote in Congress to gut more financial regulations.
Passionate speeches and press conferences promoting austerity for Americans
Bush tax cuts extended for billionaires, them much of it made permanent
Support for the payroll tax holiday, tying SS to the general fund
Support for the vicious chained CPI cut in Social Security and benefits for the disabled
Social security, Medicare, and Medicaid offered up as bargaining chips in budget negotiations, with No mention of cutting corporate welfare or the military budget
Advocacy of multiple new free trade agreements, including The Trans-Pacific, otherwise known as "NAFTA on steroids."
Support of drilling, pipelines, and selling off portions of the Gulf of Mexico
Corporate education policy including high stakes corporate testing and closures of public schools
Entrenchment of exorbitant for-profit health insurance companies into healthcare, through mandate
Legal assault on union rights of hundreds of thousands of federal workers
New policies of targeting children and first responders in drone campaigns,
New policies of awarding medals for remote drone attacks,
Appointment of private prison executive to head the US Marshal's office
Massive escalation of federal contracts for private prisons under US Marshall's Office

Chilling Legal Memo From Obama DOJ Justifies Assassination of US Citizens
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101654954

Obama seeks longer PATRIOT Act extension than Republicans (December 2013)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x380450

When it comes to civil liberties, apparently Democrats are just as bad as Republicans.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022101960

NSA's Massive New Spy Center to Track Your Emails, Internet Activity, and Phone Calls
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101620852

Obama Quietly Signs Abusive Spy Bill He Once Vowed to Eliminate
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022104861

Obama repeals Magna Carta, asserting powers our forefathers denied to Kings
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101655620

Obama's Memo on Killing Americans Twists 'Imminent Threat' Like Bush
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101654919

Obama no better than Bush when it comes to security vs. civil liberties.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022355307

Obama Admin Seeks Permission TO LIE In Response To FOI Requests - Even To The COURTS
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2185303

NDAA on trial: Obama Administration fights ban on indefinite detention of Americans
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101748688

Obama administration complicit with private prison industry: President Obama's IncarcerNation
http://www.nationofchange.org/president-obama-s-incarcernation-1335274655

Obama, Democrats Push to Make Bush Spying Laws Permanent
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022084702

NDAA, signed by Obama, is a direct attack against legitimate protest and dissent
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022064803

NSA Whistleblower: All Americans under constant surveillance, all info. stored, no matter the post
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002193487; http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021935289

Bipartisan Congress Disgracefully Approves the FISA Warrantless Spying Bill for Five More Years
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022087323

While Public & Media Focused on 2nd Amendment, 5th Amendment Quietly Dismantled
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022390581

How the Obama administration justifies extrajudicial killing of Americans,
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022318187

Judge Says Under Law Executive Branch Can Commit Acts That Sure Do Seem Unconstitutional
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022122464

Obama Justice Dept. says wiretap lawsuit should not proceed
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014337039

NDAA Lawsuit- Hedges v. Obama, The Last Thin Line of Defense
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022357078

Federal authorities step up efforts to license surveillance drones for law enforcement
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022383596

Big Banks and FBI worked together vs Occupy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022095056]

FBI Investigated 'Occupy' As Possible 'Domestic Terrorism' Threat, Internal Documents Show
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022061578

FBI Documents Reveal Secret Nationwide Occupy Monitoring (Updated the OP)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022057064

Public Buses Across Country Quietly Adding Microphones to Record Passenger Conversations
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021965291

Street artist behind satirical NYPD 'Drone' posters arrested
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021920967

The Obama DOJ urged the Supreme Court's endorsement of strip searches.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002521527

Obama Administration Fights to Allow Warrantless GPS Tracking
http://sync.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1074474

Anonymous to FBI: hey, dudes, maybe you could take a break from...investigating activists....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022145621

Half a billion dollars for drones to spy on Americans
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021876414

From Bradley Manning to Aaron Swartz -- The Government's Inhumane Persecution of Brave Truth Tellers
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022276941

The sight of Army helicopters and the sound of gunfire...on Houston's south side
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022276742

Kiriakou and Stuxnet: the danger of the still-escalating Obama whistleblower war
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022275570

Can the DEA Hide a Surveillance Camera on Your Property?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022237059

Social Media and the Stasi
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021888029

Homeland Security Wants to More Than Double Its Predator Drone Fleet Inside the US, Despite Safety/Privacy Invasions
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014312823

CIA Behind Bizarre Censorship Incident At Alleged 9/11 Plotters’ Gitmo Trial
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022280285

“I Am Wearing My Conviction As A Badge Of Honor.”
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022275128

Meet the Contractors Turning America's Police Into a Paramilitary Force
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12525281

How Secrecy Corrodes Democracy
http://election.democraticunderground.com/101655009

Obama Quietly Issues Ruling Saying It's Legal For The FBI To Break The Law
http://election.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7545687

US Pulls Plug on Iran Cable News (Press TV)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014394770

DHS Watchdog OKs 'Suspicionless' Seizure of Electronic Devices Along Border
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022339091

The record shows aggressive, proactive advocacy of a corporate agenda.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023330641#post90

[MineralMan]

20. Blue links?

Go work on your local elections if you want to change things.

Posting here won't make those changes happen.

[woo me with science]

23. Neither will incessant defensive misrepresentation

of reality.

[leftstreet]

26. Stop blaming voters

Voters threw the GOP out of office in 2006 & 2008

Since then, Obama and the Dems have done everything they can to breathe life back into a party the voters rejected

[woo me with science]

28. +100000

[frylock]

91. word up

[geek tragedy]

30. Your "don't bother electing Democrats' schtick is quite remarkable

in its ability to not getting you banned as an obvious disruptor whose only goal is sabotaging democrats.

[Bobbie Jo]

44. No. Shit.

[msanthrope]

47. You Better Believe It! nt

[FSogol]

100. +1 n/t

[SunSeeker]

68. +1

[woo me with science]

80. Funny, that's exactly how I feel

about brazen, incessant, relentless apologism for right-wing assaults on milions of Americans and our Constitution.

[geek tragedy]

81. blah blah blah we've read your spam list nt

[emulatorloo]

107. I think you are projecting. Just substitute "pseudo-left assaults" and

wrap it in Reynolds Wrap® and you've got a great description of your relentless smears and diatribes.

[woo me with science]

115. Fancy your being here, too!

[emulatorloo]

118. I know! it is ENTIRELY despicable that I'm gonna do GOTV in 2014!

Going to do my best to help elect a Dem Governor, take back the House from the teabaggers, and help hold on to the Democratic majority in the Iowa Senate.

I am also going to knock doors in my county for Bruce Brailey, so he can expand on the liberal legacy of the one of the best liberal Democrats in the U.S. Senate: Tom Harkin.

And I'm gonna work to make sure my progressive US congressional rep is re-elected, rather than the well funded teabagger who will oppose him.

All of these things are Vile, Evil, and a clear threat to the American people and the people of Iowa.

The admins should immediately ban me, as I am clearly an anti-Republican pro-Democrat troll.

[woo me with science]

119. See post 78.

Reading comprehension is your friend!

[emulatorloo]

121. Oh I comprehend you just fine

[MineralMan]

48. So, you're opposed to Democratic majorities in Congress

and in state legislatures? That's what I'm proposing that we work on. Argue in terms of the thread. This thread is about working to kick the GOP out of control of Congress and about electing Democratic majorities in state legislatures. If that's not a worthwhile goal, perhaps you can explain why it is not worthwhile. I'd be interested in reading your argument about that.

Otherwise, it sounds to me like that's not a goal for you at all. If that's the case, then you and I have nothing to discuss.

[Union Scribe]

78. Perhaps you don't remember your OP

in which you rend your shirt about people blaming Obama. People aren't blaming Obama for things getting blocked, we blame him for some of the things he does all by himself.

[emulatorloo]

108. So you are opposed to a solid Dem majority in Congress and GOTV.

[JoePhilly]

71. Wow, that same list of blue links again.

[Union Scribe]

75. Yep. The "poor powerless Obama" talking point

is experiencing one of its many reiterations. You show quite thoroughly that it's nonsense, and that the power Obama wields he often wields irresponsibly to our national detriment.

[woo me with science]

116. You have to wonder how Obama feels

about his army of supporters telling everyone who will listen that he is abjectly ineffectual.

[arely staircase]

129. so what are you doing about it?

[uponit7771]

158. More winger memes from you, are we to expect different any time soon? tia

[woo me with science]

163. So posting a list of the President's own policies and behavior

is now considered "a winger meme."

That's pretty damned disturbing, isn't it.

[madmom]

168. OH NOES......BLUE LINKS!!!!!!!!

[woo me with science]

169. Pretty disturbing information in there, wouldn't you say? nt

[madmom]

172. I didn't even read them, I'm just laughing at the fact that is

ok for certain people to post all the blue links they want, but others get ridiculed for it, nothing more!

[woo me with science]

174. Well, to be fair,

there have been some issues with blue links that go in circles, or lead nowhere, or lead to information that actually says the opposite of what the post implies.

These are valid blue links.

[madmom]

175. To be fair..

everyone thinks their post are more valid than the next...

[woo me with science]

176. To be fair,

these determinations usually aren't subjective. A link either validates what the poster claims it does, or it doesn't, and reading comprehension makes that determination possible.

[madmom]

178. But sometimes, because of people's different

opinions, what seems valid to one seems like utter bullcrap to the other.

[woo me with science]

179. Well,

proudly admitting to not *reading* the links may contribute to that problem.

[madmom]

181. Ah, so now we get personal, you know what is said about that...

besides I tend to not read long winded posts with a brazilion links, they give me a headache. Besides I've heard/read it all before.

[woo me with science]

186. Oh, that's just funny.

You announce *your* personal decision not to read the links, while simultaneously proclaiming your thusly informed opinion that they are "bullshit" (...which is *particularly* absurd since most of them are merely links to news reports of things that the administration has done or said)

...and I am accused of being "personal" for pointing out the incoherence of that.

This has turned into a stunningly illustrative thread. The list of policies *is* horrific and unconscionable for a party that calls itself "Democratic." That fact is only driven home by the immediate outrage and defensiveness that are triggered whenever the record is posted.

[madmom]

190. Show me where

I "proclaim" this is MY "thusly informed opinion"!

I did say I don't read long winded posts, be they for or against this administration or anything. I just don't like them! They tend to be too one sided.

You decided I had a problem because I didn't read your long winded post. That was personal, I said nothing at all about you personally.That tells me all I need to know about you and your blue links.

Have a nice day or not!

[woo me with science]

191. You have a nice day, too. nt

[MjolnirTime]

170. you've cried wolf too many times. nobody's buying it anymore.

[woo me with science]

173. The outrage when the President's own policies are posted

is certainly illustrative, and disturbing.

It's a flashback to election season, when we were all being told to be quiet about the President's record, so as not to disturb his chances for re-election.

Think about that.

There is something desperately wrong in the party, when merely listing the administration's own behavior elicits accusations of working for the other side.

[MjolnirTime]

182. How many times has Barack Obama killed Social Security? How many??

None.

You know what you are doing. You've been at it for a long, long time.
Are you really that surprised that DU has caught on?

[dreamnightwind]

193. Not true

I, for one, am buying it.

Pretty much everything in this OP and the responses feels like bizarro-land. MM good, WWWS bad. The poor helpless president trying to do the good work of helping the people. If only he was in a position of power.

There's some truth to that, of course, he does in fact face an obstructionist Congress, and we should, as MM suggests, do everything we can to change that. But reality in my eyes, and plenty of others, is much closer to Woo's. Obama was a phony agent of change, and has legitimized many discredited right-wing ideas and policies. He's more like the mythical moderate Republican than like the person he campaigned as, in my opinion.

And I've always thought MM to be right-wing, based solely on what I've seen from him on DU, knowing nothing of his FR past.

Where I disagree with MM in this OP, other than the whole Obama thing, is that he appears to be looking for any Democrat that can win in a particular district, so long as they call themselves a Dem. I think the DINOs have done a lot of harm to the party and our country, and that we need to elect better Dems, not just more Dems. YMMV of course.

[zipplewrath]

22. So if we get a democratic congress

If we get him a democratic congress then he'll sign legislation to:

End mass data collection by the NSA.
Close Gitmo not just move it.
End the military involvement in Afghanistan.
Put the torturers on trial.
Stop appointing republicans to cabinet offices.
Appoint someone other than Summers as Chairman.
Pass another stimulus package.
Put Dean in his cabinent.

Just tell me who to vote for that will get these things done and I'm ready and raring to go!

[Andy823]

24. I Like it.

"Let's put all our energy into changing Congress. We have a chance, in 2014, to do that, and again in 2016. Instead of complaining and whining about our Democratic President not being able to do anything, why don't we give him a Congress that will help him do things? Is that such a crazy idea?"

Good advice.

[MineralMan]

33. Thank you. Let's do it!

[DonRedwood]

25. THIS IS WHAT I WANT FROM DU!!!!

I'm in a blue state. It will stay blue so my money goes to the red states. DU usually tells me where to spend my money. We don't give much, but we try to send something little every month.

Thanks mineralman, people need to feel their power, not spend that power grousing.

[MineralMan]

34. Thank you for helping where help is needed.

My own Congressional District is secure for a progressive democrat, Betty McCollum. I'll be working on a neighboring district, which has had Michele Bachmann as its representative. We're trying for a pickup for a Democrat. That's my goal for 2014.

[DonRedwood]

32. 13 recs? That's not enough so I am kicking this.

[MineralMan]

35. Thanks for the kick!

[bemildred]

36. Everything flows from control of the Congress, both houses.

That is when things get done.

[MineralMan]

39. Yup. A President can ask for change, but it must happen

in Congress. The same thing applies to state government. That is where the battle is won. The President can make no laws or spend any money, unless Congress says so. That is the reality of government in the US.

[bemildred]

40. Yep, own the state legislature and you control the state.

The Republicans know this, and are using it.

[MineralMan]

43. Voters in Minnesota took their state legislature back in 2012.

The Republicans got control in 2010, and immediately tried to pass ALEC constitutional amendments to restrict voting and ban marriage equality. The voters said NO to both and kicked the Republicans out of control.

That's the way you do it. Now, voters don't have to show ID to vote and can register on election day. Same sex couples can begin getting married on August 1. We won. We're not going to give the GOP control of our state legislature again. They're done.

[bemildred]

46. Oh, it's been done before, and not just once either.

We got kind of complacent after WWII, but I think that is coming to an end.

[lastlib]

97. ^ ^ ^ WINNER!!! ^ ^ ^ TAKE THE STATES!

HEY, PEOPLE: TAKE THE STATES!!

. .

[geek tragedy]

45. Wherein lies the power to tax, and to spend, and to enact

legislation.

Maybe everyone thinks we live in a parliamentary system?

[MineralMan]

49. It's funny. All a guy has to do is read the Constitution,

where the powers of each of the three parts of our federal government are spelled out, concisely and clearly.

I wonder sometimes if people do not understand that basic information. That would explain a lot, really.

[geek tragedy]

52. When the President does something we don't like

he's abusing his authority, and when he's not doing something because he doesn't have the power to he's being weak and a sellout.

[MineralMan]

58. So some people say. It's the system. They want a different

one, and that's not going to happen. We have to work with the system we have, because there's no quick way to change it.

[bemildred]

50. If you control the money, and the power to impeach, you control it all.

That is how Vietnam was ended. That is how the civil and political rights laws we are now in the process of disembowelling were passed too. That is why Nixon resigned. Edit: It's not as responsive as a parliamentary system, but it can be made to work.

[geek tragedy]

51. But see Iraq, circa 2007-2009. nt

[bemildred]

54. If the public is not sufficiently aroused, they do as they please. That seems obvious. nt

[geek tragedy]

55. There is much that is obvious that remains hidden in plain view nt

[bemildred]

65. You see what you look for. You see what you are ready to see.

I saw Vietnam, and I see now that nothing was really changed in our foreign policy. They gave us some domestic concessions, civil rights, voting rights, FOIA, and then set immediately about eviscerating them as much as possible and continued right on with the same militaristic and interventionist foreign policies, which have again brung us here, in debt, our economy in trouble, and all the money at the top.

[arely staircase]

53. he is only slightly over half-way done being president

thanks for the perspective

[MineralMan]

59. Yup. There's still much that can be done.

2014 is just down the road. We can change things.

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

56. Huge K&R!

I get so fed up with some of the over the top criticism of President Obama here on DU...

[MineralMan]

60. Thank you!

Let's not just be fed up. Let's do something to change it.

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

67. Yes!

Fortunately, the congressman that represents the district where I am in college is on the GOP's "vulnerable incumbents" list, so I'm looking forward to doing everything I can to get one more Democratic House seat!

[MineralMan]

70. You can do it! That's exactly what we need.

Thanks for being willing to help!

[DontTreadOnMe]

61. Amazing how many DU'ers come into this post and just argue

WTF... the OP is suggesting we GOTV... and people are changing the subject and whining.

No more whining on DU!

[MineralMan]

66. Thanks for noticing. Yes, all I am suggesting is that we

work our butts off to elect Democratic majorities in our legislatures. I'm puzzled at arguments against that simple thing. Well, sort of puzzled, anyhow...

[MjolnirTime]

171. It's the non-Democrats of Democratic Underground.

They'd prefer that we not utilize this board for its organizational and GOTV potential.

They don't like Obama. They don't like the Democrats in Congress.

But they have the gall to claim they are the true heirs to the Democratic Party.

[MineralMan]

62. This thread is Trending now on DU's Home Page.

Keep kicking and reccing. Thank you all for joining the thread.

[cliffordu]

63. K&R. Good post!

[MineralMan]

64. Thank you for the kick!

The rec, too, of course.

[KoKo]

69. We are working hard in NC....so don't need to be lectured...

We spread the info here on DU...but, few bother to read or kick. Still we have a mighty job ahead of us...and yet NC went Blue for Obama in 2008. Dennis Kucinich even won a county in that election. NC went Red against Obama in 2012.

Why is that? We didn't get the help we needed from the Party after that election...and the strong Progressive Coalition fell apart without proper backing from OFA. We are doing this on our own with our "Moral Mondays" at the State Legislature with so far 800 Doctors, Lawyers, School Teachers and others being arrested led by Reverend Barber. Our Dem Party became corrupted.

So....whenever you see NC posters who might not fit your description of "Good Democrats" you need to rethink that and there are many other DU'ers who also are actively engaged in Democracy Building here who get crap thrown at them by people who don't know the hell who they are talking to. Cheerlead all you want...but, don't assume that some you disagree with here are not "GOOD ACTIVE DEMOCRATS!

Peace!

[MineralMan]

73. I'm encouraging people to GOTV!

No lecture. If you're doing that, then I'm on your side 100%.

[woo me with science]

83. Beautiful post.

Thank you.

The finger pointing and blaming of voters gets very old.

[KoKo]

105. I know you understand! plus...Thanks!

Last edited Thu Jul 25, 2013, 08:52 PM - Edit history (1)

[SunSeeker]

72. K & R

[MineralMan]

74. I have to leave the thread for a couple of hours,

but I'll be back. Thanks for all of the support for this simple idea!

[Dawgs]

76. If you want to argue to GOTV, then fine.

But, don't stick in the BS about Obama fighting for what we need and not getting it because of obstruction.

We should all no better by now.

[hue]

77. No president has had such an obstructionist Congress, media onslought/w outright lies, etc....

From birthers to Benghazi to voter suppression & redistricting; all of which was concocted/fabricated & the list could go on & on. THINK of the condition of the US when Barack Obama was elected!
No POTUS has had to deal with all this!!
I give President Obama much credit & respect for all He has done!

[totodeinhere]

86. You might be able to make a case that the 80th "Do Nothing" Congress obstructed

President Truman's agenda just as much. And there is encouragement in that. The Democrats took back control of the 81st Congress. Lets hope that history repeats itself.

[boilerbabe]

79. exciting.

[tularetom]

82. Obama in campaign mode = raising expectations

Obama in governing mode = lowering expectations

I guess this is more or less typical for any elected official in the US, especially the president, but Obama is so good at raising expectations that the letdown is even worse when he is unable to deliver on the campaign oratory.

It's a copout now for him to blame congress for the state of the economy. He knew what congress was like way before he ever ran for re election.

"Congress" is not the one considering appointing Lawrence Summers as Fed Chairman or Kelly as secretary of homeland security. "Congress" didn't propose to implement the chained CPI as a solution to a Social Security liquidity problem that may or may not exist. "Congress" is not in charge of NSA surveillance of American citizens.

If we elected our dream progressive Democratic controlled congress, my guess is that they would have as many problems with Obama's policies/appointments than the current teaparty republican congress does.

[AllINeedIsCoffee]

85. K&R. We need an aggressive pushback against these kinds of agitators. nt

[MineralMan]

109. I think we need those who understand how

things actually work to begin speaking out more loudly.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

87. This. N/T

[DCBob]

89. You would think the complainers would realize after 4.5 years of complaining..

that complaining for another 3.5 isn't going to get them what they want.

[frylock]

92. STFU is easier to type out

[DCBob]

94. as is WTF?

[FSogol]

102. It is what they do. They'll never stop complaining.

[MineralMan]

110. Why they are complaining is the real question.

It is not always the reason they give.

[JDPriestly]

90. Start by registering voters. Join your local Democratic Club and volunteer.

Register. Register. Register.

Check out the law in your state. Find out how you can go to "minority" communities, low-income communities, underserved communities and speak to groups about voting then register voters. Stand in front of supermarkets. Go to public parks and other places. Talk to the manager at the local mall. See if you can register voters there. A lot of Democrats are not registered to vote.

But first, check out the law in your state and contact the correct office for training and forms. Good luck.

You can't vote unless you are registered. This year, more than ever, registering voters is the first step.

While you are at it, check the laws on things like residency, former inmates, convicted felons, right to vote at a new address (or do you go back to the old one), what information is needed to register, registration on-line, all the information about what qualifies a person in your state to vote.

[MineralMan]

111. +1 million.

[Drunken Irishman]

93. Even if the Senate passed Obama's agenda, it'd still die in the House.

Look at immigration reform. That passed the Senate and it's probably going to die in the House because there isn't the votes. Nothing Obama says or does will change the makeup of the House. It's entirely up to voters and until they vote 'em out, you could have Alan Grayson himself in the Oval Office and there wouldn't be an inch of progressive agenda coming from that chamber.

There was a two-year window where Obama had a House that was in his favor and he got a lot done. I know we like to dismiss it, but the 111th Congress was one of the most productive in history. When it went Republican, it became the least productive in history. That's not Obama's fault.

[MineralMan]

112. You speak truth.

It is up to us to take that message to the voters.

[awoke_in_2003]

95. Nothing is happening...

because the wealthy have constructed a congress that is incapable of accomplishing anything that doesn't help the wealthy.

[TheKentuckian]

96. We need a liberal Congress in no small part to rein in the Executive and to push

in the right direction before the corporatist kill us. Same as in 2006.

[BumRushDaShow]

98. Hear hear!

[arcane1]

103. Congress, and State and Local too!!!!

The repubs are doing LOTS of damage at the state level, and they need to be voted out of office.

Let's do it!

[MineralMan]

113. I am with you!

[quakerboy]

104. I honestly dont have the energy for it.

I was out door to door talking with folks in 08. and 10. I did a little in 12, but mostly via phone as there really wasn't anything local to be done, and frankly, I no longer had the fire for Obama, the trust that he was who and what he presented himself as.

This time? I'm burnt out. I haven't got a worthwhile product to sell nor a credulous audience to sell it to. I could sell what you are selling. But I try to avoid lying to people.

The problem is its not what Obama is failing to get done that has people upset. Its the things he has failed to even TRY to get done. And the things he actually has done. Those are what are upsetting us.

The house is full of rats and traitors. The senate is bought and paid for. They need to be changed.

But the track record shows fairly well that we could throw out every single congressman except grayson, elect a whole new bunch, and still, nothing will change. There's always another excuse. Whats left to give hope? The presidents not even trying. The vast preponderance of politicians care much more about their after party than they do about the people on whose behalf they are serving. And the system is set up in a way to absolutely preclude us from making any substantial change.

So whats there to light that fire? my options are "We will screw you, slowly, like drowning a paralyzed person by dropping them in a bathtub and turning on the water" vs "we want to screw you fast, like stuffing a garden hose down your throat and turning it on."

Neither one sounds pleasant. Neither one is a message I can sell to a guy on the fence or someone who has disconnected.

[great white snark]

106. K&R. Your call to action posts are always appreciated MM.

Well, appreciated by those who want to elect Democrats.

And thanks for pointing out the state levels-very, very important to stopping the RW agenda.

[MineralMan]

114. Thanks for the encouragement.

Sincerely.

[bvar22]

117. I completely understand WHY a Moderate Republican

...would be completely happy with the Obama Administration.

OTOH, you would have to acknowledge that an FDR/LBJ Traditional Democrat could be very unhappy with the direction he has taken the Democratic Party,
and his failure to come through or even mention again his 2008 Campaign Promises to the Working Class and Organized LABOR.

[font color=firebrick][center]"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans.
I want a party that will STAND UP for Working Americans."
---Paul Wellstone [/font][/center] [center] [center] [/font]
[font size=1]photo by bvar22
Shortly before Sen Wellstone was killed[/center][/font]

[ProSense]

120. That

"Obama: I'm a Moderate Republican Not a Socialist"

...is not what the President said. Context is everything.

AMA: One issue that Cuban-Americans are worried about is, they believe that you favor a socialist model for our country. Cubans and Venezuelans especially because of what they have gone through. What do you think of that?

PBO: I don't know that there are a lot of Cubans or Venezuelans, Americans who believe that. The truth of the matter is that my policies are so mainstream that if I had set the same policies that I had back in the 1980s, I would be considered a moderate Republican. I mean, what I believe in is a tax system that is fair. I don't think government can solve every problem. I think that we should make sure that we're helping young people go to school. We should make sure that our government is building good roads and bridges and hospitals and airports so that we have a good infrastructure. I do believe that it makes sense that everyone in America, as rich as this country is, shouldn't go bankrupt because someone gets sick, so the things I believe in are essentially the same things your viewers believe in.

http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/domestic-taxes/272957-obama-says-his-economic-policies-so-mainstream-hed-be-seen-as-moderate-republican-in-1980s

[bvar22]

122. Well, Obama wasn't entriely accurate

....with his statement about being in line with 80s Moderate Republican Policy.
Reagan opposed ANY cuts to Social Security.

[ProSense]

123. Yeah,

"Well, Obama wasn't entriely accurate ....with his statement about being in line with 80s Moderate Republican Policy.
Reagan opposed ANY cuts to Social Security. "

...Reagan was right: Social Security has nothing to do with the deficit. Still, Reagan's legacy of tax increases is based solely on taxing Social Security.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022096027

[emulatorloo]

124. Lets see, got caught deliberately MISREPRESENTING a quote

to completely DISTORT what was actually said.

A real Fox News style-hack job.

And yet you keep on going as if nothing happened.

Takes a lot of balls to do that.

Nonetheless your egregious intellectual dishonesty is duly noted.

[Bobbie Jo]

133. They. Don't. Care.

[sheshe2]

125. Kicked and Recommending!

GOTV 2014~

We can do it.

[MineralMan]

151. Yes, we can!

[Jamaal510]

126. Back when

I first got interested in politics several years ago, I used to be one of those people who thought of a U.S. president as being more powerful than they actually are. Along with me taking a college course in government, the GOP obstruction that has been going on in Congress since 2010 has helped me learn all about how important it is for both Houses to be of the same party as the Executive Branch of government. Because of Republicans, the ACA was watered down from what it previously was, and job growth is much slower than it is capable of being.
The hard-left and the rest of the Democratic base is going to have to learn the importance of local and state elections and start showing up in the midterms, so we can boot the bums out and start getting our agenda across. As long as a person is at least 18 and has a clean record, there is no excuse to sit out an election. Period. Even when one doesn't vote, there will still be a person who gets elected to power.

[davidpdx]

138. Yep

We got hosed in some states where we should have won. The Democrats need to start beating back in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Virginia, and North Carolina just to name a few.

[Historic NY]

128. Thanks MM

[Scurrilous]

130. K & R

[Taverner]

131. Sigh....so few people realize who pulls the strings in this 'Democracy'

And yes, Obama was the best candidate. And He has great ambitions. Always has had.

But he's not in charge. Neither is our government.

They serve corporations because that's who pays for them.

That's how it works.

And it goes beyond elections, campaigns and Citizens United.

Some of the largest companies are government contractors.

They are why our military gets a bunch of jets it never asked for the in the first place.

The military is not the one writing the bill of materials.

Revolving doors, its all part of one big machine that fuels K street, contractors - and having the worlds largest military, and no signs to end that

Our masters are not men in Washington

They are men on Wall Street

They are men at Perot Systems

They are men at General Dynamics

They are men at Lockheed-Martin

This is where our future is decided

[rhett o rick]

132. But there is a problem with the "aint nothing the President can do" argument.

He can redirect the DoJ and get them to leave medical marijuana dispensaries alone. This is the meanest, nastiest thing. People that rely on medical marijuana for pain and nausea relief have to suffer for what??? And those that are otherwise obeying state laws are being sent to prison for 20 years. Congress aint making him do this.

He could stop appointing conservative corporatists. Penny Pritzker, really??? That's within his power.

It is completely within his choice to back the Patriot Act and domestic spying.

He could see that Wall Street crimes are punished.

He could pardon Gov Don Siegelman.

He is very powerful.

[BumRushDaShow]

142. "He can redirect the DOJ"

And the fucking law STILL stays on the books. And the next President gets sworn in and the law CONTINUES to stay on the books while DUers bitch and complain. And so on and so on until people FINALLY wake the fuck up and demand that Congress REPEAL the law once and for all.

WTF is so hard to "get" with this concept?

[rhett o rick]

165. And who are you directing your anger at? We in the state of Washington want the Federal Government

to back off the persecution of medical marijuana patients and of course we are working on the national level also. In the meantime we want Obama/Holder to back the fuck off. Sending dispensers to prison for fucking 20 years and denying patients their medicine wont get legislation passed any sooner. And you cant convince me that it's the president's goal to legalize marijuana, even for medical purposes. I expect more empathy from Democrats.

[BumRushDaShow]

185. You assume no empathy

which is ridiculous. But you also assume the "rules" equally apply to this current President and that somehow he would be afforded a "pass" by the current loons in the House who would impeach him instantly - particularly with respect to this issue. They can't wrap their feeble minds around his black face.

Time and time again, he has indicated that he supports this but until the rest of the fucking populace turns off Honey Boo Boo and votes and demands that their Representatives bring this issue to the forefront, then it will go nowhere. Whether it's done as a rider on some other bill (even on some ACA amendment) or as a standalone, it needs to happen in law - NOT as "look the other way". Otherwise the next President comes in and everything goes back to the status quo and you're back to square one.

HE can't "legalize marijuana" as if he's some fucking dictator. CONGRESS must do it. And he sure as hell is making people mad enough to DEMAND the change. But folks need to direct that anger to the lawmakers like the teabaggers did. Take the House back and demand that these legislators implement the progressive agenda.

[Bobbie Jo]

134. Recommended.

[Fearless]

135. He is not trying to get progressive things done.

He is trying to get center-right things done. That is why people are pissed. A true Democrat DOES NOT do Republican's jobs for them.

[Hekate]

136. KnR. Good thinking, MM...

[silverweb]

137. K&R

[davidpdx]

139. Kick and 96th Rec

Almost to 100

[SylviaD]

141. Ex-freepers are allowed here? n/t

[MineralMan]

144. That is your comment on a call for a GOTV effort

to get Democrats elected? Really?

But, to answer your question: Anyone can join DU and post in this discussion forum, as long as they post according to the rules set up by the administrators of the forum. Those who violate those rules may get their posts hidden, and if they do that long enough, they may end up being banned from posting.

Still, some of those who have been banned in the past end up returning to DU with a different screen name and resume posting here. Sometimes they give that away, by referring to things only someone who had been here for a long time would know about.

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post about GOTV efforts to elect a Democratic majority in legislatures. Really.

[SwampG8r]

159. damn!

you are correct and due my apologies
forgive my mistake and please account it to my being too generous with the benefit of my doubt

edited to add an o to make to too

[whatchamacallit]

143. Fairy Tale

told to children to put them to sleep.

[MineralMan]

145. Thanks for the reply.

It's not true, though. GOTV efforts have elected many to office, often when nobody thought they could win. Are you suggesting that people not get involved with such efforts in support of Democratic candidates. That's what this thread is about.

[whatchamacallit]

147. I certainly agree that participating in local government is our responsibility

I just think it's misleading to suggest it will fix everything, especially when much of the problem is the president's own agenda.

[MineralMan]

149. I did not say it would fix everything. I said it would

create an environment where things could get fixed. You see, I'm in favor of doing whatever is possible to promote progressive change. Getting Democrats elected to office and creating a majority in state and federal legislators is one way to do that. There are other ways, too, and I do those as well. However, elections matter in this system of government. They matter in very important ways.

It's not a bedtime story. It's a part of the reality of our system of government. If you disagree, I'd be interested in hearing what system that could happen, realistically, you think would work better, and would take the wishes of all of those being governed into account. Probably, that would make an excellent original post here on DU. This thread is about GOTV efforts, since no new system of government is on the immediate horizon.

[damnedifIknow]

148. I truly thought

In his second term he would open a can of progressive whoop ass and it's turning out to be the opposite with very few exceptions.

[MineralMan]

150. Did you? I'm afraid that nothing has changed that would make

that a practical thing for the President to do. He's speaking out frequently on things that need to be done. He gave such a speech just yesterday, and another the day before. You can find transcripts of those on whitehouse.gov.

[damnedifIknow]

153. Yes he is a brilliant speaker

but he really need to focus on things such as the NSA spying. This issue will trample Democrats in 2014. Most Americans think the NSA spying has gone too far and Americans are going to remember this at the polls.

[sheshe2]

160. Afternoon Kick!

GOTV 2014!!!!!!!!

[MineralMan]

161. Thanks.

[Gore1FL]

162. I agree, generally.

But they couldn't get a lot done when they had 60 Senators and a Dem House despite the president starting compromised in almost every fight.

[MineralMan]

166. Actually, quite a bit did get done during that period, but

not everything. Part of the problem is procedures in the Senate, where the filibuster and cloture rules make it possible for the minority party to block passage of almost anything. That needs to be corrected, but that won't happen until there's a larger majority of Democrats.

In other areas, like LGBT rights and marriage equality, the President's influence has been helpful. Getting DADT repealed wasn't easy at all, and required a couple of other compromises before it was passed.

No President can accomplish major changes quickly, and that majority was gone soon. Still, things got done, if not exactly the way most of us think they should have been done. ACA is a compromise, but it was passed, where a more comprehensive health care package would have died.

To make major changes, we will need a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, and a solid majority in the House. I don't think we'll get either in 2014, but I think we'll make progress in that direction. In 2016, on the coattails of a strong Democratic candidate for the Presidency, I think we can finish that job and move into a progressive period. That's my hope.

[longship]

164. Happy to support this thread.

Barack Obama is the only president we have right now, whether you love him or hate him. But MineralMan is right on target here. The damage the GOP is doing in the states is horrible.

Especially if one is complaining about the elected Democrats one should be spurned to the precise action that MM is suggesting. Instead of carping about the Democrats who were elected, do something to change that. Run for precinct delegate. Get active in the party. Become part of the solution.

R&

[MineralMan]

167. Thank you. Very well put.

[emulatorloo]

177. I live in Iowa, and our Democratic Senate blocks the egregious teabag initiatives coming

from our Republican Governor and Republican/Tea-bagger House. With out our Senate we would be in the same situation as Michigan and Ohio. I find it bizarre the posters are attacking you for advocating GOTV and ELECTING DEMOCRATS, pretending that it doesnt matter either Nationally or State Level.

[MineralMan]

180. Some folks argue against everything, even GOTV.

I don't understand it, or maybe I do.

[heaven05]

183. sanely said

I applaud you. Bluedog democrats must be purged also. To achieve the results you're hoping for.

[steelmania75]

184. When he had a Democratic Congress and 60 Senate seats, all we got was Mitt Romney's health care plan

and a weak stimulus while trying to "compromise" with Republicans. Then when health care reform got screwed up, we blamed the conservative "Blue Dog" Democrats. Now the Blue Dogs are gone, but Republicans have replaced them.

There's no way to get the House in 2014, Congressional districts have been thoroughly gerrymandered in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, etc. And the Democrats who would win those said districts would be your "Blue Dogs" who are center-right.

Until Corporate money is out of politics, no reforms will be made in the best interests of the people. The Dems will water legislation down Third Way style, and the Republicans will spook all the sane people into voting for the lesser of two evils through their far-right batshit crazy ideology.

[BumRushDaShow]

189. We had "60 seats" in the Senate for 4 months

(with Ted Kennedy out sick before he died and Scott Brown winning the seat).

And yes, Citizen's United was like a death blow but folks need to continue to push for Campaign finance reform, fixing the ACA so that it can transition into single-payer (much easier now that a framework is in place), and get an infrastructure bill funded and implemented. That will take re-education of the populace to value their right to vote and take it seriously.

[LongTomH]

187. Agreed!!!!

We need: (a) Democratic control of both house of Congress and (b) as many progressives as possible in the mix. I put that in two parts to emphasize that we may need to support some Democratic candidates who are not progressive, or not as progressive as we'd like.

As a young friend of mine pointed out: "Vote for the lesser of two evils and you'll get less evil!"

[George II]

188. Great...thanks!

It's so much more difficult to work to win than to do nothing and lose. We can't win and take over the House with negative attitudes. The key to all of this in 2014 is simple - GET OUT THE VOTE! If people get out to vote, regardless of their affiliation, the Democrats win. If voters are complacent and don't vote, republicans win. So simple.

And yes, it's important for everyone to remember that Obama will still be President until January 20, 2017. With the right vote in November 2014, he'll have more than two years to do what the republicans have been blocking for the last five, going on six, years.

[tiredtoo]

192. President Obama has let me down numerous times too

But I like mineral man, choose to carry on and work to get more Democrats elected to congress. We can either harp on the failings of Obama or we can get off our ass and do something, I prefer the later.
See you at the next rally.

[Tarheel_Dem]

194. K&R

[MineralMan]

195. Thank you. This thread seems to have some legs. That's good.

[Scurrilous]

196. Kick