Reply #45: interesting ...

[welshTerrier2]

you wrote: the intimidation factor is minimized.

there are lots of great people on DU ... but make no mistake about it, we're a combative lot ... i hope you never feel too intimidated to share your thoughts ... what the hell good is this place if the big mouths are able to intimidate people ... stick to your guns ... your ideas are as good as anyone elses ... you'll get beat on some around here ... be a little thick skinned and say your piece ... we need the best thoughts and contributions of every DU'er, not just the most aggressive ones ...

i completely agree with your point that our message can't start out with "we're anti-capitalism" ... many of us are but that's not a message most Americans are ready to address ... i can hear it now "so what are you, Communists?" ... we need to get away from labels and all the baggage they carry ... don't fight against capitalism ... fight against the problems capitalism causes ... for example, ask someone if they think large corporations should have to pay the clean-up costs if they pollute the environment ... as voters whether corporations should be able to have a greater influence with Congress than voters ... when the questions are phrased correctly, different results can be produced ...

i like your idea of putting greater emphasis on stock options ... some of us call that letting the workers own a greater share of the means of production ... probably should stay away from that language though ... perhaps combining this with a fresh look at unions would be a way to give workers a little more control over their work lives ... unions have gotten a bad rap (perhaps somewhat deserved) but I think the pendulum has swung too far away from them ... the American worker needs more power and a shiny new image ...

keep the ideas coming ... i'll try to remember to PM (i.e. private message) you when we issue the new forum proposal ... it will probably get posted on Monday afternoon in General Discussion - Politics ...