Don't you think we should be working very hard to get progressives

[movonne]

in the senate and house...it seems to me all we do is grumble about what President Obama is doing and not doing... and giving up on the dems...we just can't have anymore of these whack job blue dogs and repugs running this country...we should be working as much as the tea party is in getting our kind of candidate in office.

[Ozymanithrax]

1. There is an incredible hurdle to getting real Progressives elected...

The parties keep control of who runs. Even open primaries ain't that open. In most cases, we will only see Simone who has paid his dues run for Senate. Franken, for instance, wasn't anything like the party favorite. Fortunately he had the name recognition and the ability to simply not work for a couple of years. It was still one of the closest elections in history and won only because he insisted the votes be counted right.

We can encourage elected officials in our districts and states to be more progressive by organizing or being a member of grass root organizations that bring progressive ideas into the public.

[sui generis]

5. but we do have a real tool at our disposal.

It's this:

We have to question our candidates. We have to have standards. I don't care WHO the DNC or DLC or any other party committee endorses, they had damn well better answer progressive questions or forgo progressive support.

that's how you do it. You don't find a progressive candidate and then nominate them. You make them. Play them against each other and tell both of them you'll give them your vote if they have the better stance.

The flip side is, don't vote for them if they won't dance with ya on progressive issues. We keep getting our non-standards enforced by voting for the schmo's anyway. Your vote is the enforcement of progressive standards - you should NEVER be taken for granted as a voter.

[Ozymanithrax]

6. If you punish a party by not voting you have to be happy to accept the alternative...

In this nation, we have 2 parties that count, The Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Only two.

Yes, removing a party from power is heavy punishment, but allowing the other party to take control is a hellish consequence. You have to live with that consequence for years.

[sui generis]

8. let there be punishment.

My vote costs. Earn it.

It really is that simple. We have the power. If we're not wielding it, our dumbshit politicians who hate progressives are wielding it. They are as responsible for not getting my vote as I am for not giving it.

It really, truly is that simple.

[Ozymanithrax]

9. Good that you accept the alternative...

Because you are responsible if you don't vote for Republicans taking power. Actions have consequences.

[sui generis]

10. what a crock of stupidity

No, our candidates who refuse to accommodate us are responsible for not getting my vote.

YOU are responsible for not giving a shit enough about my issues to get my vote. YOU.

[frazzled]

2. The Blue Dogs come from conservative areas

Yes, we can run progressives against them in primaries ... and then they will almost certainly lose to Republicans in general elections.

So, if your goal is to purify the party and expunge all the non-progressive Democrats, you are also committed to a Democratic minority in Congress (and a Republican majority). If that's what we want, let's knock ourselves out.

[leftstreet]

3. Oh Christ. It's always OUR fault. We didn't work hard enough...

the dog ate the politicians' homework

blah, blah, blah....

:puke:

[dysfunctional press]

4. then you'd better start saving up to buy your own nationwide television network.

that's how the conservatoids did it.

[Arctic Dave]

7. I have already started, I just cancelled my monthly donation to the DNC.

I will only give to individuals for now on.