The Repukes use the Fundamentalists to get elected. Does the

[in_cog_ni_to]

Democratic Party use Progressives to get elected? They couldn't get elected without us. They use us and then they turn on us just like the repukes turn on the fundies. Remember Chuck Schumer's remark? "The far Left of my party doesn't represent America or our Democratic Party." (paraphrased, but close) They signed the IWR, the Patriot Act, The Medicare Bill, the Bankruptcy Bill, didn't filibuster the chimp's appeals court judges and confirmed Roberts. They may confirm Miers, another fundie. :(

Are we being used? If you're a Progressive, Far Lefty, how do you feel? Used? Dirty?

[Vincardog]

1. Mad as hell and ready to do something about it

[mestup]

2. Feels like I'm doing the Dems a "favor" every election.

I don't feel like they let me down on their promises. They don't even make any promises. In this barely two-party system, there's just no other game in town.

[maxsolomon]

3. and they use the Atheists worse!

not to mention the Anarchists!

[No Exit]

4. I got a polling call today, asking about if I "approve of a man marrying

a man, or a woman marrying a woman".

I said, "Let me tell you what I DON'T approve of: I don't approve of lying, cheating, republicans who betray my country." Then I hung the phone up.

[Imalittleteapot]

5. Way to go.

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[No Exit]

14. Thanks!

[in_cog_ni_to]

7. Excellent! Who was doing the polling?

Did you happen to catch that?

[No Exit]

13. No, I didn't give them time to give me any spiel, lol

They began by asking that question... I could hazard a guess, though! I live in a very red state.

[Imalittleteapot]

6. Bottom line.

No one represents me, except maybe Ted Kennedy, but he's not my Texas senator.

I don't feel used. I feel betrayed.

[dsc]

8. Didn't filibuster appeals court judges?

where were you in 2004?

[in_cog_ni_to]

9. Janice Rogers Brown, Pricilla Owens and the other RADICAL RW

judges they confirmed. THOSE judges.

[dsc]

10. after a year long filibuster and Bush's reelection

they did their part. The public didn't.

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. No they did not. They were going to filibuster and

the repukes were going to use the nuclear option...remember??? They should have closed down the Senate and they weaseled out of it. I'm STILL wondering WTF the Democrats got out of that "gang of 14" bullshit deal. From what I've seen so far, not a damn thing.

[dsc]

16. the deal came after Bush's reelection

not before. Also they can't close down the Senate.

[Coastie for Truth]

12. One thing to remember (I'm from the Rust Belt)

the Dems give us patronage - the Repugs don't.

Consider Pennsylvania's 1970's era Governor, Milt Shapp (the inventor of Cable TV).

Milt appointed every member of the Pittsburgh and Philadelphiua ACLU Legal Committees to the bench.

Milt appoint Herb Denenberg his Insurance Commissioner.

You know Scranton, Shaeffer, or Thornburgh wouldn't have made those appointments.

[Perky]

15. Dude.. ALL voters get used not just far lefties and far righties.

And the they muddle through the landmines where ever they wind up on the political battlefield. That is just the way the sausage is made.

But look at what Schumer said: the Far left of my party does not represent America or Our Democratic Party?.

The far left does not represent the views of two-thirds of the country (roughly). Nor is it representative of half of the folks who would call themselves Democrats.

Should the far Left be heard...of course but they are not the only view with in the party. To expect that is naive and to demand that is political suicide when it comes to presidential politics.

The difference between the far Left and the far right is that they have the political infrastructure (organizational skills, mailing lists and money) that the left is far too incohesive to achieve the type of loyalty that drives 75% or far right citizens to the polls.

Roll up your sleeves...figure out what brings lefties together with the millions of non-voters, who could easily break the back of the far right, and you get to decide politics.

Just realize you run the risk of alienating the middle one-third. So for every voter you wind up pushing to the GOP you are going to need to find two on the left.

Democracy is for those who show up. Create a message, find the attractive candidate, and get organized. The numbers should be on our side because the right is at full strength (75% of those identifying themselves as far right vote)

But when you do your political calculus just remember three things: McGovern, Dukakis, Mondale.

Now go forth and organize.