Blind & Spineless
An Invertebrate Love Story? Nope, Democrats again.
I’ve watched the intense and vicious path that politics has taken in America for years now. I’ve listened in more recent years as Democrats cried foul at the characterizations that Republicans cast upon them. I watched with sadness–like someone watching a child that just doesn’t get it–as the Democrats time and again made, not proved, the Republican’s characterizations of them accurate.
I thought that a turn had been taken though. I believed that Democrats had finally had enough bullying and were at last going to make a stand for us. That’s right, not a stand for themselves, but for us, all of us. No matter what your political affiliations are, your liberal vs. conservative views. The American democracy depends upon strong representation of all opposing positions in order to work best. When one side acts submissive to another it weakens the strength of our nation for everyone.
But it seems I was wrong, and once again Democrats have acted like the party that’s afraid of the dark. Once again they have caved to the fear of offending anybody. Apparently, in the face of… oh, gosh… some negative reactions and a few harsh statements the DCCC has pulled it’s 75 second “New Direction” web video from the DCCC web site and replaced it with one on Minimum Wage.
According to DCCC Communications Director, Bill Burton, this move wasn’t due to pressure but rather because they’re “moving to another major effort that we’re highlighting on our Web site.”
Uh-huh. I’m afraid that the skeptic in me–despite truly wanting to see the Democratic party rise and shine as I believe it can once again–isn’t buying it.
Don’t offer me a coupon, don’t lower your prices. Those aren’t going to change my position of refusing to buy crap. You want my business? Offer a better product!
I know that Democrats want to be the bigger tent party, and that’s a noble idea; but when will they realize that no single party can represent everyone’s ideas? That in taking stands and positions which some will oppose you’re bound to anger and even yes, offend a few people along the way?
This isn’t something to fear. It’s a good thing in American politics. Heated debates and discussions get people talking. Controversy breeds water-cooler conversations. Active discussions among the people leads to active participation by the people. That’s a new direction for America to go. Okay, I know it it isn’t really a new idea–that We The People chart our own destiny–it’s sort of an old idea but it doesn’t hurt to revisit it once in a while.
America needs multiple strong parties to work properly. Need proof? Republican Conservatives have control over all 3 branches of the federal government yet haven’t been able to further their agenda in any significant ways. Why? Because having all the power in America doesn’t lead to having the ability to wield it properly, it leads to greed and scandals.
It’s only through honest debate and compromise between strong opponents, over hard challenges that require hard work; and those checks and balances that were put in place for this very reason that America runs smoothly.
Image source: nearingzero.net
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Follow-up: Today I saw a prime example of the bully in action. One day after writing about Democrats sheepishly caving to a little pressure, mostly from “morally outraged” Republicans claiming that Democrats were using war images for personal benefit in advertisements–it’s reported that some Republicans are again/still using ads with images from the Sept. 11th attacks to benefit their own campaigns.
Senator Mike DeWine [R-Ohio] has a commercial that goes so far as to show the 19 terrorist hijackers who took part in the Sept. 11 attack.
In my mind, this is far worse than showing the realities of war with an image of a flag covered coffin returning home. This elevates 19 terrorists to celebrity status. Gee, remember when marketers only used good people to endorse the product they were hustling?
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by Scott Bannon on Jun 22, 2008 at 12:35 am