Divisive political issues we cannot let derail us.

[Cleita]

When I first came to DU, it was shortly before the last election in 2002. Thread after thread involved not only fights between Greens and Democrats but abortion, abortion and more abortion. Guns, another hot topic, were relegated to the dungeon. Don’t even mention the Israeli/Palestinian debacle.

It will happen again if we let the disruptors take over again. I have noticed that the same people who orchestrated these scenarios no longer post at DU very much. I am sure they will be back in full battle regalia, distracting from the real issues, when the elections heat up again.

Democrats we have so many issues to beat up this incompetent President that we should never ever let them use abortion, guns and Israel as divisive topics again. I hope the candidates focus on the undeclared mess of war in Iraq and the terrible things the government is doing to the military personnel who are fighting it; those guffaws of international policy that are making us a target for terrorists instead of using diplomacy to make the world a safer place; the domestic situation of environmental slash and burn; jobs overseas and of course the wholesale robbery of the budget surplus.

Come on fellow Democrats we can do this. No more Bush!

[Kanary]

1. From your lips to the ears of the Goddess!!

~~

[mmonk]

2. aye

I agree

[JailBush]

3. A good safety valve for the Gore vs Nader quagmire is

LOCAL ELECTIONS. I voted for Nader but later discovered evidence that convinced me he's corrupt. However, I made this discovery on my own; Democrats' arguments simply didn't hold any water.

But what frustrates me is the extraordinary obsession with presidential campaigns, past and future, while ignoring LOCAL POLITICS. These are where the potential victories are most likely.

I'm more pro-gun than most liberals, but I never really thought of it as that divisive an issue. I seldom discuss gun issues, because there are far more important issues that interest me more.

[Cleita]

5. This is my point too.

Greens should concentrate on local politics and build up their base before attempting national elections. I know that Ralph Nader was once a Republican, and in his heart I think he still is.

[catzies]

10. That's why I've stayed out of the Pres. cand. threads too...

I'm not even close to thinking about who I want for my Dem. Pres. candidate.

I'm too busy, as president and outgoing PAC chair of my local chapter of the Nat'l Women's Political Caucus, recruiting, training, working for, and contributing to my local women candidates.

For me, local is where it's at.

[mike_c]

4. it's interesting that you posted this...

...because I was just thinking this morning that there are a number of very potentially very devisive issues that I'm waiting to hear dems speak up about. Here are a few that don't often make the list usual suspects (guns, abortion, etc.):

1) Gitmo. Will a new administration undo the shame of "unlimited" detention without trial or will they perpetuate it?

2) The war on drugs, also known as the war on poor people where it intersects with U.S. foreign policy. Will a new administration take a new look at twenty years of miserably failed domestic and foreign policy with respect to drugs or will they opt to continue the status quo?

oops-- just interrupted by K who says there are chores to do-- maybe someone else can continue this list?

[jpgray]

6. An extra point:

I think discussion of these issues is fine, but people please recognize when an argument is going absolutely nowhere--we all know when it's happening. :) I know for sure we've all had some enjoyment out of grappling with each other on various unsolvable issues--DUers are tough debaters--but we ought to recognize that four Green threads with 130 posts each regurgitating the same tired ideas as the four hundred posted over the last few months aren't the most productive threads in the world.

(P.S.: Cleita, are you the DUer formerly known as Clete? I've been gone for a while)

[Cleita]

7. Yes, I am.

I just changed the spelling, but I had to start all over again post wise.

[brook]

8. I couldn't agree with you more!

I don't open many threads these days. I'm more interested in winning than whinning.

You're dead on about the local politics. This is exactly how the neocons rose to power. It took them 15-20 years. How long will it take us to get rid of them? Depends on everyone sifting the wheat from the chaff and focusing on the desired outcome.

The only *Bushes* I want to see after the election are in the garden!

[Cleita]

9. Hi Brook.

:hi: