So if the Dems don't pass "meaningful" health care reform, what then?

[Cyrano]

After screaming, ranting and raving, do I vote for a Republican? Do I stay home at the next election?

As much as I would despise the Democrats for not passing meaningful health care reform, exactly what would I do at the next election? I would do the only sane thing I can do. Not contribute one cent to any Dem's reelection.

But would I vote for a Republican? Would I just sit out the election and not vote at all? Hell no. No matter how horrendous any Dem may be, he/she is far superior to any Republican thug who has learned a dance called the "goose step" -- marching in blind, unthinking lockstep with the despicable goals of their party.

Perhaps trying to pull Dems together is like herding cats. But in this case, I prefer cats to obedient Republican sheep who have proved they are willing to follow the dictates of the unmitigated evil that their party is trying to push on us.

As much as we may hate Dems for not being true to their principles, would anyone really want to see a rerun of the past eight Bush/Cheney years?

Dems can often suck a lot. But they're crimes could be labeled opportunism at best and cowardice at worst. Unlike Republicans who have earned the label of fascists.

So where do we go from here? Beats me. Any suggestions?

[graywarrior]

1. We can watch the birthers refuse to participate

[Cyrano]

2. The birthers are a lunatic fringe. If they grow in numbers, we're in real trouble

However, at present they are nothing more than a cult. And cults have a bad history of self-destruction.

[mmonk]

3. I would like to vote for something instead of always voting

against something. I can't remember what it was like to do that instead of voting defensively, it's been so long.

[Cyrano]

6. Yep. And once again, yep. Where are the "heroes" of yesteryear?

The only exception I can think of is my vote for Obama. And I can only hope he doesn't disappoint us.

[bemildred]

4. Vote against all incumbents. Pick the most progressive alternative. nt

[BlueIdaho]

5. Two Points...

1. If the Democrats don't deliver, I doubt I will contribute money, I won't take the time to knock on doors and make calls. Oh sure I'll vote blue - I just won't do much else... and why should I?

2. Birthers are racists - don't be confused - just like the tea baggers they are racists pure and simple.

[mmonk]

7. I guess we can all bitch and moan and keep doing the same things

over and over again hoping one day, we will be valued.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

8. Do NOT contribute to DCCC or any other generic fund raising

and put your dollars to specific races to vote out Blue Dogs and to reward those Dems that voted for the people. Make a big point of telling everyone why you are or are not contributing when they call.

I hope every single Blue Dog is primaried. If we want people who vote with Republicans, we can vote for an actual Republican, and not a fake one.

[Cyrano]

11. Excellent suggestion, Phoebe

[mn9driver]

9. The problem is the system.

Way too many politicians of both parties are owned lock, stock and barrel by the corporations and special interests that funnel huge amounts of money to them. This fall, when the US Supremes remove the last fig leaves of restriction from corporate giving, we will transition quite fully and openly to being a Corporatocracy. This meets at least part of the definition of fascism, but we will probably avoid the more obvious and spooky aspects of that word, at least for a while.

Government exists to serve corporations. We got to watch the veil fall away for the massive taxpayer giveaways to the financial "industry". Now, nine months later, that same "industry" is showing massive profits and awarding mind bending bonuses---all utterly without consequence, and all utterly without any element of doing "public good" whatsoever. More than three out of four voters favor a robust public option, but corporations oppose it. What do you think will happen? It's pretty obvious.

The only real solution is to remove corporate and special interest money from our political system. Unfortunately, we are heading in the opposite direction very, very rapidly. I personally think it's too late in the game to change what is happening to us. To change it would require the public to insist that the system change, using a level of assertiveness that hasn't been much in evidence for the past several generations.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. Support primary challengers to Republican Lite politicians

and if there's an open primary, support the most progressive candidate.