It isn't about "winning"

[Wetzelbill]

I had a RW friend reply to an email in which I had sent out my last column before the election which predicted many of the races etc. He just sent his reply today, congratulating me on my "victory" and that he'll see me again in '08.

Ok, I replied back to him, "I didn't win anything, the American people did."

I always hear RWers talking about "winning." Like in Ron Suskind's book about Paul O'Neill when Bush was hesitant about giving the rich another huge tax cut and then Cheney and Rove said something to the effect of how they won and this was the big payoff to their friends etc. One different websites (including here) I see Republican trolls always gloating about "winning." I've seen some of it here in the last few days. I have even done a little myself.

But in the end, I don't think it is all about winning to Democrats. It is for Republicans. That is why they play so dirty and feel the ends justify the means. There really are no means. Not for the American people, unless you happen to be exorbitantly rich. They play their base for fools. Look at the Christian Right, a group that does actually consist of a helluva lot of good people, even if they have some of the filthiest scumbags around for leaders. David Kuo more than documented how the Bush administration played the Christian Right. It's flat out embarrassing that a WH can hold their own supporters in such contempt. They only play along with those people for strictly power purposes.

Karl Rove was always more interested in a permanent majority than helping out the American people.

Dick Cheney's life's work is to make the presidency practically a dictatorship.

None of these clowns care about policy. They care about power and winning.

Democrats have their problems, but our party is a big tent, 99 percent of us want what is good for the American people, even if it is not necessarily the best thing for us personally.

This election had nothing to do with winning. That was just a step. I don't care to gloat forever or to go out and seek revenge on the president or anybody else. I want good sound policy. I want affordable health care and college tuition. I want a proactive and thoughtful foreign policy. I want safe borders, a clean air and water, more jobs and a viable living wage. I want Osama bin Laden's ass in prison or dead, and not ghosting the American landscape as some kind of boogeyman utilized to frighten our citizens into voting for one party or the other.

I care about America. We all do. We want what is best for us all collectively. Not what is best for a party or their contributors. It's about the greatness of our country and all of the ideas we are supposed to stand for.

And, the Democratic Party best exemplifies that.

Like I said earlier, we didn't win anything, the American people did.

[roguenkatz]

1. I always pledged allegiance to the UNITED States of America

not the DIVIDED one.

[Wetzelbill]

2. exactly

And, Welcome to DU! :)

[YDogg]

3. A young friend recently asked me repeatedly about why she should vote.

Every time we spoke about it, I framed it in terms of "your country needs you to vote." This was met by laughter, which slowly diminished as the election drew closer, and she read more about the issues, and as I kept hammering this point every time I saw her. By the time the election was over - and she had participated - she felt as though she had won, but realized that the country won. She felt satisfaction at her participation, but began to see the big picture. Kind an "act locally, think globally" deal, I tell ya. :-)

[Wetzelbill]

6. rock on!

that is great.

My 22 year old brother moved in with me a little over 3 years ago. He went to some Kerry and Dean rallies with me in '04. Yesterday when it became evident that Tester and Webb pretty much had it and when everyone was blown away about the House and all the Governorships, he actually thanked me for getting him so interested in politics. He's further Left than I am now, actually, haha. It was a good feeling. These last six years have been hard on us. My Uncle lost his business and all the small business support just dried up with Bush, and my dad had worked for him. Plus, my own student loans and grants have been going downhill while tuition has skyrocketed. We know people in Iraq etc. It's been tough. So my brother and I, well, it was just a very personal and emotional night for us. We're from an Indian reservation where Dems being in power is a big difference for our people. Been a long dark time, so him thanking me like that was special. :)

[YDogg]

7. Thanks, and congratulations to you and your brother!

I think I have a bit more of a feeling that as individuals we can make a difference. Maybe a tiny difference alone, but with others, a much more significant difference. It feels good.

:bounce:

[Cooley Hurd]

4. Every single American won - no more torture, no more Abu Ghraib...

...no more usurping of legal votes, no more shredding the Constitution, no more bullying, no more leaving OUR citizens to starve, dehydrate and drown, no more shitting on OUR soldiers who are sacrificing EVERYTHING in the name of OUR freedom.

NO MORE!

GOD (or any deity, or NO deity if you prefer) BLESS AMERICA!:patriot:

[Wetzelbill]

5. damn right

:)

[Wetzelbill]

8. shameless kick

:)