I feel just like I did after the Iraq war vote.

[madfloridian]

Like someone kicked me in the head.

They did not pay attention to the people in their party then. They pretended they did not see the hundreds of thousands of protestors. They had already decided to go to Iraq.

I felt the same way after the Medicare Bill. I was right. Many retirees will be dropped from the drug coverage once offered by their former employers. Just because they can now.

I think this bankruptcy bill and the Medicare bill are the worst though, because they will harm far more innocent Americans than the war vote did. The Medicare bill and the changes to Social Security will hurt many seniors, and there is no exemption for keeping homes and cars even under illness. We are pretty well off, but we are retired, depending on our investments and Social Security. None seem so wonderful right now. One major surgery and hospitalization can run over $30,000, often much more.

I called this time, and I wrote, just like during the other two votes. Their minds were already made up. They did not care about us, we are paying the price for the years of donations by corporate donors. They called in the chips on this one.

The only way to change things is to form a large enough donor base in the grassroots to keep things going.

[BlueEyedSon]

1. Me too. nt

[ultraist]

2. I'm going to STOP donating until they step up to the plate

If we keep rewarding them for their unDemocratic votes, they will continue.

I think we should let them know that we will NOT make any donations until they start representing Democratic values.

They NEED grassrooters support and donations, BIG time, for the 06 races, so we should put the pressure on NOW.

[bryant69]

3. On the flip side you might just redirect your donations.

While a lot of punks voted for this bill, a lot of others didn't. This might be used as a litmus test.

Might also be worth looking into potential primary opponents in some of these punks districts.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[FreedomAngel82]

4. That sounds like a good idea

If they see some people getting money and not them maybe they'd get the message. :shrug:

[ultraist]

12. Maybe, but they are all in cohoots. I'm not supporting the Dem party until

they change their ways. I would rather make donations to a group that represents my beliefs.

[tnlefty]

5. I couldn't agree with you more...

Although I remember being much more ticked off after the IWR vote. Perhaps I'm getting used to feeling crummy as opposed to enraged?

Then again, I decided that drinking at least a beer would probably help me sleep during this 2nd term of Dimson*, so I could have numbed myself somewhat.

On a brighter note, I did see Kendrick Meeks and another, female representative, (sorry, I can't remember her name) giving a good presentation on the manufactured SS crisis on c-span this afternoon.

[Cleita]

6. I agree. I feel as if I don't recognize the world I'm living in.

eom

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. My skin has thickened since the IWR vote.

They're doing what I expect them to do now. I'm getting used to seeing politicians act like politicians rather than people with principles or a conscience.

Fortunately, this still being somewhat of a democracy, I don't feel compelled to vote for them anymore because they aren't "as bad" as the other politicians with an (R) after their names. After the IWR, the confirmation votes, and the bankruptcy vote, I'll be voting (G) in 2006.

[blogbear]

8. Mr. Dean...

TEAR DOWN THAT BUSH!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

9. I goes to show how...

A "government of the people, for the people, by the people" has become, "government of the money, for the money, by the money".

I'm sick over it, too.

[concord]

10. Business as usual

The IWR tossed me too; the midterms nauseated me, but the post-election rollover took all my blinders off. This is business as usual. No expectations - no disappointments.

[madfloridian]

11. You have to donate to the DNC.

If you don't Dean will not succeed as chair. Most of these were New Dems, and get a lot of funding from the DLC. Kerry got about 15 million, I think, which shows they are powerful.

We are donating again, and we are also remaining part of DFA which is still growing.

We have to build the donor base of the grassroots. We can do it. Many would love for Dean to fail, they don't want us having a voice.

While we never agree with anyone on every issue, the reason we backed Dean is his fervor for opening the party to everyone.

[LittleClarkie]

13. Donated nationally and locally

just this week.

Despite some of these votes, like they guy at the SS event at Pace University last Friday, I feel like I'm with the "good guys." And one of the ways I can help the "good guys" is to become one of them.

The other is to get involved locally. The meetings are not when I can make them, but the local Dem Party has a newsletter, and I like to think one of my stronger talents is writing. Right after Easter I will volunteer my services.

[ultraist]

14. I'm not going to. They all work together.

The DNC gives our donations to whoever they like, ANY Democrat. At this point, it's still, business as usual and they don't give one flying fuck what regular Americans want.

IF they want grassrooters, they better give them an OFFICIAL voice and acknowledge our donations. Instead, they SILENCE us.

They think they can use us up and be the hired gun for their big corps and special interest groups. I'm going to find a special interest group or 527 to donate to and volunteer for until this Repuke lite BS stops.

Enough is enough! First we had the backpeddling during the Kerry campaign, then we had the bail out on voter's rights and fair election practices & with their refusal to contest the results, now this. When will it end if we keep PAYING for it?

[madfloridian]

15. If enough feel like you, our hope for the grassroots inclusion will fail.

Don't you see? I trust Howard Dean to do his part, and I realize he has to work with all of them. I wish the DNC were not so tied to the DLC, but they are because of the financing. We either change it or we don't.

[Disturbed]

17. Around 80% of Dems are Rethug Lite.

The Oligarchy is alive and well and the Middle Class, The Working Poor, and the Poor are getting screwed over, as usual.

[ultraist]

19. I do want to support Dean, but I'm not sure there is only one way

Is giving carte blanche to the DNC to fuck us over time and time again, they only way to get involved?

I did donate right after he was nominated. He has a TOUGH uphill battle. But, at this point, I don't feel comfortable making a DNC donation just because he is the head of it. What about all of the others?

I'm in reactive mode right now, just like I was after THEY ALL VOTED FOR THE IRAQ WAR. sickening...

[Tsiyu]

22. I think every one of us is exhausted

If you are even the least bit informed, your head is spinning right now. Along with the whirlwind of bad news comes sorrow for what my nation is becoming.

Tonight two women at the dollar store were discussing the high price of fuel. When I piped up and mentioned the bankruptcy bill, they just looked stunned. When you can't even get folks interested and informed how do you feel any support at all?

I'm just venting, here. I'll do my part. But that means right now I'm as hurt by some Democrats as I've been hurt by the worst Republicans.

We all have to hang in there. Empires built on greed and warmongering ALWAYS fail.

[madfloridian]

26. I know what you mean. We are exhausted.

It is like the battles keep coming, and I think we knew it would happen faster after the election.

I guess we just try and do what we think is right. I know how you feel.

[concord]

27. I like your attitude Mad

Keep it up :)

People like me, who are terribly cynical at the moment but deep down are hopeful, will come around. I had to walk away from ALL of this for a while for my sanity and peace in my home. But I'm coming back now after reading sustaining books and articles which have helped with perspective. I've found Howard Zinn to be particularly helpful in this effort.

I admire those like you who hung in there when many like me couldn't. This is a LONG fight and will take decades to unfold. That was the part I hadn't grasped in November. Finding out where to put energy, time and money for the best outcome is the challenge now. Having Dean at the helm of the party is an excellent first step, and I support that.

Thank you for your work mad.

[SmokingJacket]

29. At this point, no dems but Dean are getting anything from me. nt

[nonconformist]

16. I feel the same.

I'm so disappointed and disgusted with the Democrats that voted for this.

Corporate America screws the little guy again, and we have NO VOICE.

[LibDemAlways]

18. The percentage of Americans who've even heard

of the bankruptcy bill, much less know what's in it, is likely infinitesimal.

The repukes, with the help of the DINO brigade and the corporate media whores, are screwing over the little guy who right this moment is at Best Buy forking over a piece of plastic to buy a new flat screen tv so he can go home and watch Survivor and remain blissfully unaware of how the admin. he helped put in the WH will one day (when he's faced with insurmountable medical bills or a job loss) help to destroy his life.

[ultraist]

20. And that same guy may blow his brains out or someone elses when

shit hits the fan. Just like that nut that killed that Judge's husband and mother, because she put a judgement against him for unpaid medical bills and he ended up losing his home.

Many people SNAP under that type of stress.

I had a situation many years ago, whereby I had a measly $300 bill to an oncologist. After ONE MONTH, they filed a judgement against me. I went to the hearing to settle it, so I wouldn't get the judgement against me, and her office manager thought I had cancer, but was still filing it. They REFUSED a payment plan. They sent me a notice that said, payment in full or we will file in civil court.

Incidentally, I had a lumpectomy that was benign, but the Dr. had told me it was LIKELY malignent. (That's why I switched doctors for a second opinion and do have someone else to the biopsy. I didn't trust her). Long story short, these people are VICIOUS. Thank goodness I was able to scrape up the three hundred bucks, RIGHT AFTER MY SURGERY. At that time, I could not afford health insurance. And my situation was MILD compared to what many go through.

HALF of all bankruptcies are from UNPAID medical bills. 20% of women who go into bankruptcy, go in due to deadbeat dads not paying child support!

[LibDemAlways]

28. I know. When these people come after you,

its vicious. My daughter had a consultation with an orthodontist. I owed $100.00. Within a week, I had received not one but three separate bills in the mail for that money. I sent a check two days after receiving the first bill, but that didn't stop them from sending two more.

I'm sure had I waited two weeks to pay that bill, I'd have had a dozen bills plus phone calls, and they would have taken it to collection.

I was sitting in a dentist's waiting room a while back and overheard the scheduler get very tough with a patient who owed $300. Apparently he was in pain and needed a tooth looked at. She didn't care if he was in agony and blood was gushing from his mouth. All she cared about was the friggen $300. Her exact words: "I'm sorry you are in pain but the dentist will not see you until you pay the money you owe us. And no, we will not accept partial payment. It has to be the full $300.00"

Only in America.

[CountAllVotes]

21. yep it is a done deal

and no one realizes it *yet*.

When oh when might the sheep open even a piece of one eye I query?

I suspect soon enough.

This affects everyone, not just Democrats, etc.

In fact I bet many if not more pugs file for bankruptcy than do Democrats (any statistics on this anyone?). I'm curious to know.

Hang in there. It can only get worse.

It is a sad situation. What can we do?

:kick:

[shanti]

23. well

just imagine how you'd feel if the ss bill passes...:-(

[madfloridian]

24. Bite your tongue.

:hi:

[chlamor]

25. Kucinich Says