They're confident on the filibuster because they're stealing elections

[emcguffie]

I think we should have an action alert or whatever you call it. I don't know the right phraseology for this. But obviously they are perfectly confident that they can get rid of the filibuster because they never expect to lose complete control again. How can they be so confident?

Because they control the vote counting.

I think we should send letters to representatives and to the media suggesting this. And to Keith, of course. And Bill Maher. Everyone. The media have discussed in passing the folly of killing the filibutster because they will be sorry someday. But they're not worried, but they do not expect to ever be in that position again.

I am not a frequent poster and don't know how to go about getting people to pay attention to this. If anyone could help, please take it on.

[SmokingJacket]

1. You're either absolutely correct, or...

... the republicans just aren't looking ahead. They tend not to: the future is irrelevent to them. Is it because they're dumb, or because they have no imagination, or because they're waiting for the rapture?

I think it's a little bit of everything. I think they ARE stealing elections -- but they're not totally in control of it, I don't think.

It's part of their multi-pronged plan for a one-party state.

[emcguffie]

5. You don't think Frist knows? nt

[SmokingJacket]

7. We could get into my theory of election theft...

which is that while perhaps subtly directed from the top, the stolen election was actually a grassroots effort made by thousands of smaller groups using a variety of tactics. I could be wrong -- and I'm certainly not going to argue against a different theory.

But I don't see the bushies as being totally, super-confident that they have absolute control over who gets elected and by how much.

If that were the case, who needs to get rid of the fillibuster? Just get rid of the democrats!

[asjr]

2. No doubt in my mind that they have stolen the

election. They are prepared to do it again. The arrogance displayed by the Republicans is ongoing because they know the machines can be rigged.

[libertypirate]

3. They are confident because it is all they have...

Confidence beyond the facts and reality is a sign of severe weakness; don't be fooled by the acting. When you try too hard at something you are over compensating for what you don't have.

They caused all of this period, the evidence is available for anyone who doesn't mind being called out as a "conspiracy nut". Which is really all that stands between the American public and the truth. The idea that you become a crazy loon for asking questions and searching for the answers is a republican one. They are confident because they have to be, because they are all guilty, and because they fear what will happen more then they want the truth.

We are bridled by a fear that we don't see, because it happens one on one. You don't threaten groups, or compel groups with blackmail; they are only effective as tools to reach a desired reaction if kept hidden.

Fear together gives them their strength to be confident together.

Anyways just my thoughts.

[meganmonkey]

4. I think your theory, as far as it explains their mentality,

is right on the mark.

But I think it is a facade. I think it is a combination of the repubs being drunk on power, so to speak, and a deeper short-sightedness. That's what is driving this feeling that they can get away with anything. The more confident they get, the more they will slip up - whether it is election-stealing, or going to war on lies, or whatever else - they cannot get away with it forever. I really don't believe they can. How can a party keep winning when a large majority of americans disapprove of them? (obviously by cheating...but I think this is a question america will be asking if 2006 goes the way of the past few elections)

I am definitely in agreement, that they really think they are in power forever and are acting that way. And the way you frame it so simply is a perfect sound-bite sized analysis of it.

:toast:

[emcguffie]

6. Rover knows, for sure, and he is running everything.

Cheney certainly knows. Since they are the two really setting policies such as whether or not to go nuclear, I think they are perfectly confident. Rove has said publicly that they are building a one-party country.

I just think we could use that as a little bit of evidence, put that phrase out there to the media, so they might maybe just start wondering enough to take a more than superficial look.

[Amaryllis]

13. PUt what phrase out to the media? But nothing phases the media; they

dont even care about Gannongate or the Iraq memo...

[Bill Bored]

8. I had the same thought. It explains every arrogant move they've made. nt

[Peace Patriot]

9. I've been thinking of a post here entitled, "Democrats are nuts."

Election fraud explains it all--and needs to be the premise from which the Democrats formulate policy and take action.

It's just so obvious. The Bush Cartel doesn't represent the majority of Americans. Opinion poll after opinion poll over a long period of time are showing a dim view of Bush (unprecedented low approval ratings), and huge opposition to all Bush policy, foreign and domestic--up in the 60% to 70% range.

63% of Americans disapprove of torture UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. What do they do? They shove Alberto Gonzales down our throats, for A.G., no less. The creator of the illegal torture policy.

(http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Polls/torture_poll_040527.html)

The Dems had a blowout success in new voter registration in 2004 (nearly 60/40). Most new voters voted for Kerry. Most Nader voters switched to Kerry. Where did Bush get his margin from?

It's a no-brainer. And they're not using it. And I don't know why.

[Bill Bored]

10. I agree Peace Pat!

Even if they are uncertain about the fraud, they need to take the possibility into account. That way, at least they can plan accordingly. I don't know what forms such plans might take. Maybe a concerted action at the state/local level as you and I have often suggested. But whatever it is, it needs to be worked on by the party's strategists, otherwise they will a permanent and mostly powerless minority.

Case in point:

I actually know someone who thinks that the fall of the USSR is the reason there is such a weak progressive movement in our country now! He says that without that OTHER Red scare, there's no reason for anyone on the right to moderate their views. As if we were all going to become Commies if it wasn't for the New Deal. Well, that was then and this is now! They didn't have computers capable of rigging elections in the 1930s, did they?

Some of our Dems will come up with ANY excuse not to consider that the process may actually be rigged.

Sure, a lot of folks want lower taxes, but is that the same as the wholesale destruction of the Democracy and the middle class? The Dems had better wake up and smell the coffee, whether fraud can be unequivocally proven or not! The possibility alone should be enough to demand the needed reforms.

[emcguffie]

11. We've been arguing about Dem timidity

here at work today.

Do you think any of them fear for their lives? Is this a safe place to ask that?

I was told something very interesting today, and I will share it when I know where to do it safely.

[Bill Bored]

14. Well let's see...you're from Jersey.

So you've been touched by 9/11, which some feel was a BushCon conspiracy beyond just sheer stupidity and negligence.

Anthrax letters were sent to Dem Senators.

Paul Wellstone's plane is rumored to have crashed under questionable circumstances.

Oil and gas depletion could end our whole way of life and cause all kinds of suffering on a grand scale.

There are wackos out there who want to use nuclear weapons to re-fight the Civil War.

Pat Robertson says filibustering judicial nominations is worse than 9/11 and the holocaust.

Bob Novak says it's like a concentration camp.

And of course there was JFK, his brother and his son.

If it's anything worse that that, maybe I'd wait before I spilled the beans, but when you consider what else is going on these days, it could be that what you have to talk about is just another day at the office.

I leave it up to you!

Peace.

[emcguffie]

15. Well, gee, let me see

I think I'd rather stay alive, if it's all the same to you! Nobody else I can think of is going to take care of my little girl.

A young woman at work told me this story, which now will have to wait until tomorrow, because I cannot remember the particulars. But it was something to do with * the first's paramour, who is no longer with us.

[Amaryllis]

12. That's what I keep thinking whenever I listen to Frist. Was he elected

under fishy circumstances?