There Are No Consequences.

[IdaBriggs]

People on DU are always shaking their heads in frustrated anger and disbelief over the complete lack of common sense being used by the Democrats in Congress. For example,

-- The Minority Leader gets a minuscule "concession" and every single person the White House puts up gets an automatic "pass" into their appointed position. (The Republicans promptly begin saying bad things about him publicly, so the message is clear: this guy isn't going to do much.)

-- A "bankruptcy bill" that will hurt more people than it helps begins making its way through the system, and the Democrats help it along.

-- Within a two week span, the United States "threatens" Syria, Iran, AND the IRA, with a bonus "shoot the Italian hostage/reporter" thrown in for good measure. (I'm probably skipping a few countries, but frankly, its becoming common place, so who cares?)

-- A huge media scandal involving gay male prostitutes in the White House press corps smearing Democratic Senators by printing "fake news" is completely ignored by anyone who is anybody.

The list just goes on and on and on....why?

Because there are NO CONSEQUENCES. Good job, bad job -- it doesn't matter. The "people" aren't in charge anymore, so their opinions don't count.

Enron robs California power users? Who cares? *IF* anyone gets convicted, the President will "pardon" his good friends who donated to his cause, and in the meantime, the money just keeps pouring in.

Look like you might be an effective representative for your district or state as a member of the Democratic party? Either a) your plane will crash, b) you'll get white powdery presents in the mail, or c) your next election will be rigged so even if you win, you won't get your job back. Oh, and if you get real "uppity", your family can always become a target, too. Who is going to believe you if you complain? Who will report it? Who will stand up for you -- the "Justice Department"? Ha ha ha ha....

There is NO REWARD for doing a "good job" in Congress. There are NO CONSEQUENCES if you do a bad one. Mediocre jobs are rewarded with the possibility of MAYBE making some kind of difference when the chips are down, but realistically, who cares? Screaming matches are considered inappropriate behavior (think of your own work place), and short of an old fashioned beat down, NOTHING is going to change. The people with the power are using it, and the Minority Party keep thinking the old rules of "civility" and "public discourse" apply. (Big Clue: THEY DON'T!)

In the meantime, protests have become a joke. One million people marching around in circles means NOTHING to the folks in charge, because the implication of ACCOUNTABILITY is gone.

Piss off a Democrat? Who gives a rat's ass? What are they going to do about it? Walk around in circles some more? While they are doing that, other folks are busy collecting checks, eating caviar, and smugly assuring themselves that there is nothing to worry about, because some guy in (fill-in-the-blank) has already taken care of whatever needs to be taken care of.

I feel badly for the public servants who actually wanted to make a positive difference in the world (and yes, we have some). Instead, they have entered into a corrupt house of horrors where they are just as helpless and ineffectual as a homeless junkie. They aren't making a difference; they are simply being...ignored. There is no reason to placate them, because they are already convinced they are powerless, but just to be on the safe side, they are thrown the occasional political contribution to keep them satisfied.

See? You *are* one of the popular kids. Now be quiet, and let the adults finish their business; corrupt politics is Hard Work!

[DELUSIONAL]

1. Steal an election -- in plain sight -- and nothing happens.

Do it a third time and the Democratic candidate rolls up in a ball and goes away without a whimper.

[European Socialist]

13. I agree. The fight has to start here.

Dean, Kerry, and Dems-where in the hell are ya! Maybe we could rally the pathetic masses if they knew the election was stolen!

[Itascapark]

2. Well, I have to say

given the recent exchange with my mother (a wingnut if there ever was one-she calls the troops over in Iraq "our boys and girls" and "I'm glad you liberals weren't in change during WWII"...I know, priceless) I'm feeling more and more like the whole experiment is over...we lose...God, someone pick me up...PLEASE.

[GOPBasher]

5. We liberals WERE in charge in WWII.

FDR was a liberal. It was a liberal, democratic congress. That's a small, minor, little point you may want to bring up to her.

[Itascapark]

6. Yes, of course we were, but...

it's impossible to untangle her misinformation. Believe me, I've tried.

[tom_paine]

10. My Condolences that your Mother is now a Kinder and gentler Nazi

a Bushevik, a Totalitarian...

Awful. That must be awful for you. My only piece of advice is: if you are someday on the run from the Bushstapo, I would think twice about letting Dear Old Mom know where here little Enemy of the State is.

Methinks you'll be in the John Ashcroft Memorial Re-Education and Re-Christianization camp by nightfall.

But again, please accept my sincere condolences.

[Itascapark]

11. You're really too kind

Actually, all five of my siblings realize that both my parents have "rounded the bend" when it comes to the Bush Administration. They drank the Kool-Aid and can not see through the hazy. We try and stick together.

[Mnemosyne]

3. Great post Ida, thank you!

I hear so many say "There's nothing I can do about it." It is sooo frustrating.

The apathy in this country is terrifying, much as it must have been in pre-war Germany when the White Rose Society took action and ended up being executed for it. I'm doing something similar and wonder when "they" will come for me.

Already my mail has been opened. (How many people get mail regularly that has been taped shut? I do, though it has slowed down for some reason lately.)One day in Dec. I had 3 out of 5 pieces of mail that were taped shut.

I receive on avg. 3 to 4 calls a day with no one there, sometimes as many as 6 or 7. *69 and get "The number you are trying to reach has been disconnected or is no longer in service" And even stranger, my answering machine sometimes returns these calls, and no one answers.

I know I must sound like a tinfoil hatter, but these things have been happening, I have witnesses and evidence.

I email and call gov officials regularly and always get the usual pat answers back. "We appreciate your comments and concerns.. blah, blah, blah." English, Santorum and Specter. No one I know voted for these pricks, yet they remain in office year after year.

I am deeply concerned as to what steps to take next. I am not apathetic, but am at a loss as to how to fight it.

Any ideas??

[IdaBriggs]

4. Not a clue. I'm sure its why the folks in Congress aren't doing anything -

they don't know how to fight against this stuff anymore than we do. Anyone else? Buehler? Buehler?

[T Wolf]

7. As anyone who has ever tried to discipline a child knows,

unless the child suffers consequences for their actions, they will not change their behavior.

Because Democratic politicians feel like we have no choice but to support them instead of a Puke, they have no incentive to fight. Would we really be in any worse shape if there were significantly fewer Dems in Congress?

And because Puke pols never suffer consequences for their actions (criminal, moral, or governmental), they, of course, will continue to do what they do. I agree that protests accomplish nothing. Neither do letter-writing or calling.

If you want to have an impact, direct action must be taken against those who bring harm. For instance, it is safe for a Senator to vote to increase pollution because that toxic waste dump will not be placed in their neighborhood. Have that Senator or his/her family have to deal with poison in their home and you might change their mind. Or at least give them second thoughts about destroying others' lives.

I believe we are past the time for "political" action. The way to change is not through the rigged ballot box. The only question is whether enough Americans have the spirit that drove our ancestors to take direct action against the British. I doubt it.

[acmejack]

8. I couldn't agree more...

I never thought I would feel this way. I mean, I volunteered to fight for America once, only to learn I was a deluded idiot (I'm 52, so you know which mess that was). I believe your last sentence is absolutely correct. The majority of Americans are quite content with manufactured sanitized news and Law & Order reruns ad nauseum.

[nashville_brook]

9. actually protest and direct DO change things

it's a myth that they don't. people in power will go to all kinds of lengths to perpetrate this myth b/c it's the only means of power they CAN'T CONTROL.

the neo-cons stole pages from trotsky and alinsky in their 20-year takeover. these tactics work. don't believe the hype.

we are talking about REVOLUTION at this point -- NOT REFORM. the ONLY way to run a revolution is to from the "outside."

right now we are alienated by the media -- made to believe that anyone who disagrees with the Reich Wing is ALONE. the only pallative for this is direct action. we have to to get out of our houses and should, "we're here, we're HERE!"

change comes from power and power comes from organizing. we must act and we must come together. get out of the house. put down the keyboard and talk to people. make something happen.

[cally]

12. We still have the power to boycott, buy blue, embarass

the media. I think some corporations are starting to worry about the buy blue mantra. Watch the ads about what good citizens they are. Corporations care about the bottom line and if we stop buying we can make them take notice. Also, stockholders can force corporations to change. Look to the public pension funds and union funds and force a change. If we focus on corporations, we can force change in politicians.

I'm discouraged, frightened, but I've not given up yet.