"When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat."

[Breeze54]

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out."

Should I be worried? :shrug:

Because I really am... I'm worried that us Democrats, what ever degree

we are Democrats, just aren't getting the big picture.

That being, that whatever hurts the least of us, hurts all of us.

:(

[rusty quoin]

1. I worry about the damage they may do.

If we go into Iran, and if we have another depression... I worry so much and I have children. Bush gave us so much to fear.

[Breeze54]

3. My youngest just turned 19 and I worry too but

I'm really worried that 'the newly poor' (the former middle class) that

aren't seeing the big picture, economically. That all the cheering for

outsourcing and free trade is finally also hurting them!!

Do they realize that? :shrug:

I probably should have mad myself clearer. I'm Sorry.

And yes. Iran and the morons voting, AGAIN, for the IWR is just mind boggling to me!

Didn't they learn anything since 2002?? :banghead:

And who will fight that war?? The poor!!!!

:grr:

[rusty quoin]

4. We need real representation.

[Breeze54]

6. Now that's an understatement, if

I've ever heard one. But the true people's representative

doesn't pass the height muster, don't you know? :sarcasm:

Like that has anything to do with integrity!! :grr:

We live in very shallow times, I regret. Very sad times.

[Kutjara]

2. There is a historical tendency for the Left to tear itself apart...

...with endless infighting, schisms, and splits, while the Right tends to be more cohesive.

It's easy to see why this is so. Creating a just and equitable society is hard work. Different people have different ideas about what such a society should look like. The more ideas there are, the more potential exists for conflict and division.

The only conflict that exists on the Right, however, involves minor differences of opinion about how to exploit, terrorize and destroy. Such differences are usually easily resolved, typically in favor of the biggest bastard.

[Breeze54]

5. I posted this because someone reminded me tonight about

the out cry in 2004 and in 2006 about how "the poor, "Tsk! Tsk!" "just aren't bothering to vote
and jeez!! Why don't they get it that if they don't vote, they made their bed and they can lay
in it." (I'm paraphrasing) but I do understand why the "poor" don't vote or didn't go out in droves.

What is their incentive to vote? :shrug: To get reamed again??

They got screwed by the rethugs and the Dems!!

I guess my musing is to ask, "Why should they care and why should they vote?"

It never changes their lives, unless it's for the worse.

[Kutjara]

7. I think your point addresses the bigger issue...

...of the broken political system in this country. Many Americans feel disenfranchised by the current system, and don't see any way (outside of a revolution) of fixing it. So they dismiss politics with "both parties are as bad as each other" cynicism, and decide not to participate. I've always believed that not voting should be counted as a vote for "none of the above." The fact that only 30-40% of the population turn out to vote says that 60-70% don't support any of the available candidates.

Instead of decrying voter apathy, the parties should be working to field candidates people actually want to vote for. To do this, we need many more than two parties and a system of proportional representation that reflects the desires of every American. If people see that their interests being represented, they will be far more likely to participate in the political process.

Of course, none of this will happen without some profound changes in both politicians and ordinary Americans. I'm not holding my breath.

[Breeze54]

8. Well said! Thank You!

"I've always believed that not voting should be counted as a vote for "none of the above.
The fact that only 30-40% of the population turn out to vote says that 60-70% don't support
any of the available candidates."

Exactly!! :hug:

:cry: