Filibuster energy must not be just a one-shot deal

[PBass]

I would like to see this signal a sea change in TACTICS, in the Democratic party... from here on out!!!

Every Democrat I know is sick and tired of the apologists, appeasers, wimps, and sellouts in the party. Over and over again we see Dems' position losing out (even losing on issues that they should be winning) because Democratic leadership will not take a direct and aggressive counter-approach to the political opposition. It's like the GOP is playing hardball, while Democratic leaders stand around on the sidelines because they're afraid to get their uniform dirty. And just when you think things can't get any worse, somehow it does.

Democratic Senators who are not willing to fight hard for Dem principles should simply NOT be holding office, or be in leadership positions. Leadership means getting out in FRONT of the issues, and even out in front of public opinion sometimes. Yep, that's where the flak is... SO WHAT?

Democratic leaders need to ACT FIRST based on progressive principles, even when it means bringing the public up to speed after the chips are down. That's what leaders do. Remember the quote from the GOP insider who called us "the reality-based community"? He said the Right leadership was busy acting and making things happen, while the Left stands around trying to analyze what just happened... in the meantime the Right has moved on to the next issue while we stand around over-analyzing. This rings true to me!!! Democratic leaders have to be more aggressive and more "proactive", and stop just simply REACTING to GOP-driven events.

I believe that America is in a hell of a bind, under the current GOP leadership. And the poll numbers indicate that the majority of Americans do not like the direction America is going under the current regime. But we also have a major crisis in Democratic leadership. Instead of fighting on the issues, we have Democratic leaders who don't want to raise a fuss because they're afraid they might look bad. As a result, for the last 5 years the American public has been geting ultra-right policies shoved down our throats, while many of the people we voted into office sit there quietly with their hands folded... This has to stop!!!

America desperately needs STRONG LEADERSHIP from Democratic officials, and I'm sorry to say it seems like the only way we'll get it is if we keep up the pressure, not just on the Alito issue but on EVERY important issue!!! Ever hear the saying "People get the kind of government that they deserve"?

[OnRee]

1. Exactly!

I was sure proud of the way Kennedy & Kerry took a stand--I wish the others would follow their lead!

:beer:

[Surya Gayatri]

4. Welcome to DU, OnRee!

:hi:

[samhsarah]

2. Hear, hear!

[Surya Gayatri]

3. Spot on, PBass,

This incredible groundswell has to be harnessed and channeled into contructive action now--not just for 'stopping' something, but for 'building'. SG

[Niche]

5. Fighting Dems? Green Party? - Gov. by the People for the People?

It's good cop bad cop business in our Party. I have been faxing, calling for so long... on so many issues. It is starting to get really apparent that they're part of the problem....

:cry:

Wimps? No. They're complicit?

:shrug:

[jean]

6. Dems need to jump down the throat of anyone equating them with bin Ladin

as well as any media outlet that allows that kind of talk.

I wish we had an activist link/trigger dedicated just to this - one we can immediately go to and yell loudly. Also links to our politicians need to be included. They need to be called when this happens and slapped into reality - speak out LOUDLY against this unpatriotic smearing.

[drm604]

7. YES!

Whether we win or lose on this one, we now know what we can achieve if we actually try. We need to keep up this momentum and passion. Everyone who hasn't joined the DU Activist Corps should do so.

Some suggestions to Skinner (not to second guess him at all, just some thoughts), there should always be something on the agenda for the Activist Corps. Maybe people could post suggestions and then vote on which we think are worthwhile, maybe we could rank them in order of importance. People could choose from the current offerings and a list could be maintained showing who's currently working on what. Maybe restricted sub-boards could be created for the people working on each project. Special important issues (like the current one) could be assigned to everyone. We need to all be working, at least at some low level, on something at all times. That way we have some momentum going at all times and we'll all gain skills and contacts.

Anyone agree?