Michael Moore: Five Ways the Democrats Can Avoid a Catastrophe and Pull Off the Mother of All Upsets

[kpete]

Michael Moore

Oscar and Emmy-winning director
Posted: October 1, 2010 10:49 AM

Five Ways the Democrats Can Avoid a Catastrophe and Pull Off the Mother of All Upsets

.......

Memo To: President Obama and the Democratic Party Leadership

From: Michael Moore

..................

Subject: 5 Things Dems Can Do to Turn It Around by November 2nd

1. Immediate Wall-to-Wall TV Ads, Internet Videos, and Appearances Hammering Who the Hell Put Us in the Misery We're In.

We Americans have very short attention spans (Quick: Who Won the Oscar for Best Picture last year? The World Series? Exactly.). People need to be reminded over and over that it was the REPUBLICANS who concocted and led the unnecessary invasion of two countries, putting us in our longest war ever, wars that will eventually cost us over $3 trillion. Bush and Co. also caused the biggest collapse of our economy since the Great Depression. I don't know a single person in Hollywood who wouldn't shoot and produce those spots for you for FREE. Dems: Do not pull a single punch on this. Quit being a bunch of wusses and let the bastards have it! The public will be astonished that you've found your courage and your spine. We expect you to be Muhammad Ali, not Ally McBeal.

2. Indict the Criminals.
Announce that the Justice Department will seek indictments against both those who caused the economic collapse and those who became war profiteers. Call it for what it is: organized crime. Use the RICO statutes. Use the basic laws that make fraud of any kind a crime. Get in the face of those who stole the billions, make them pay for it -- and the people will love you. We want Dirty Harry, not Dirty Dancing.

3. Announce a Moratorium on All Family Home Foreclosures.
Last month (August) there were more home foreclosures than in any month in U.S. history. Worse than any month in the worst year ever, 2009. The bleeding hasn't stopped -- it's only gotten worse. And now, this week, two of the largest crime organizations who are throwing hundreds of thousands of people out of their homes (GMAC and JPMorgan Chase) have been forced to momentarily stop doing this. It turns out, they don't really have the paperwork to prove they actually own these houses! It's madness. So if you do one thing for the middle class this week, do this. It will take an hour of your time to draw up the decree and issue it. We'd rather watch "It's a Wonderful Life" than "Poltergeist."

4. Announce a New 21st Century WPA.
"Who's hiring? THE GOVERNMENT IS HIRING!" Put together a simple plan to hire enough people to repair our roads, fix up our aging schools, and rebuild our infrastructure. Fund this by taxing the richest 1% who have more financial wealth than 95% of Americans combined! Unemployment will drop to 5%. Can you pass it? Well, you sure can't unless you try! And as you're trying, announce that you will force the Republican senators (who until now simply have had to say they "intended" to filibuster in order to kill a bill) to have to actually filibuster! Make them stand on the floor of the Senate and read from the phone book 24/7. They won't last a day. And America will see them for who they really are.

AND THE REST:
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/five-ways-democrats-can-avoid-catastrophe-and-pull-mother-all-upsets
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-moore/five-ways-the-democrats-c_b_746761.html

[bluethruandthru]

1. A giant [phone]

[Andy823]

2. Good advice!

It won't happen, but it's a great idea. The part about making the republicans stay on the floor and talk, are "REAL" filibuster, is what I, and many others, have been saying for a long time now! Make them look like the idiots they really are! If the democrats had been doing this all along, they wouldn't be worried about losing one of both houses of congress right now! When you let the bullies keep control of the debate, when you let them bluff you with idle threats, you lose!

[pgodbold]

3. If only they would DO IT! I am sick to death of the FAIL party. Do It!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

10. The failure of Harry Reid. Why he won't make the Republicans filibuster

is baffling to me, even as an ardent supporter of the Democrats. I simply don't get it.

This is the one question that the pundits should be directing at Reid during interviews.

The problem is that the majoriy of Americans do not realize that yes, while the Democrats have the majority, it only takes ONE senator to stop all legislation/progress from proceeding.

If Harry Reid came out and spoke to the American people, informing them of what's been going on, I guarantee you that he'd win in a landslide.

If the average American understood what filibusters and "holds" are, no Democratic Senator would be in trouble.

I just cannot understand it!! :(

[Mimosa]

20. +1,00000000 times, Liberal Stalwart

But why won't he?

[AnArmyVeteran]

23. Reid is a total coward.

I just heard where Reid made a deal with Mitch McConnell to use a parliamentary trick that will prevent Obama appointees from being confirmed during 'recess' because under their backroom agreement the senate isn't officially in recess.

If it wouldn't mean our country would be saddled with the insane Sharron Angle for six years I would hope Reid loses his election. It's amazing how someone as cowardly and inept as Reid is could be the leader of the senate. Any other democrat in the senate would do a better job than Reid. All Reid has been doing is selling out the American people to the evil republicans and corrupt corporations.

It's sad how the two 'best' candidates in Nevada are Reid and Angle. I'd hate to think of the quality of the rest of the people in Nevada if those two are the best in their state.

I am so sick of democratic cowardice. If republicans even hint at filibustering Harry Reid goes running to the nearest dark corner to cower in total fear. A damned jellyfish has more backbone and brains than Harry Reid. Reid claims to be an ex boxer but that is hard to even imagine. His record must be 0-50 because at the opening bell he would certainly run to the nearest corner and start crying. I've seen absolutely zero signs Reid has any leadership abilities at all. He gives in, gives up and runs from every fight. Hell, he doesn't even force republicans to actually perform the duties of a filibuster. Even if Democrats held all 100 senate seats Harry Reid would still find a way to cave-in to republicans.

[Bullet1987]

24. Yea Reid is a total waste of time...don't expect him to do anything

He's part of the problem the Dems have in Congress. Weak leadership across the board.

[muffin1]

26. +1,000,000

:thumbsup: :hi:

[txlibdem]

33. Keep up the great work, ArmyVet

You are right on all counts. Harry Reid doesn't even call the TeaPukes on their attrocities on the Senate floor! He says things like "well... those on the other side of the room said," or "my colleagues on the opposite side of the hall..." and crap like that. He won't even spit the word "Republican" as it should be spat out of your mouth. It should be the foulest curse word. It should evoke the bile from your deepest bowels just to utter that word. Instead, Sen. Reid won't even say the word.

Harry Reid should bar the doors of the Senate and not let anyone leave until a vote has been taken on Democratic legislation. He should force them to actually filibuster. What kind of idiot would think otherwise?!?

As to the rules of the Senate, there is a procedure whereby they can be changed. They aren't written in stone.

[on point]

57. Second that

[rhett o rick]

66. I am afraid that Reid represents most of the Democratic Senators. The blame

shouldnt all fall on him.

[davidwparker]

82. He is the majority leader. Blame should fall on him. Just

as blame should fall on Obama for things happening in the executive.

The bucks stop there.

[rhett o rick]

86. He wouldnt be the majority leader if the others didnt agree with him. nm

[uponit7771]

92. +1!!!!

[rhett o rick]

63. The Senate does not represent the lower classes. For sure the Repub's dont and many Democratic

Senators dont either. Seems that the Democratic Senators as a whole are ok with the Repub's slow down tactics. Otherwise they would be working harder to get some of the important issues passed. DADT is a disgrace to Democrats. You cant tell me that the Senate Democrats couldnt put any pressure on the two "Democratic" Senators that voted with the Republicans. Something is very rotten in the Senate.

[RobertBlue]

78. +1 n/t

[whathehell]

65. Me either....

The other day I heard a progressive activist named Darcy Burner talk about making The Filibuster (as in getting rid of it) a priority...I don't have her website address, but I believe you can google her name for it if you want to find out more.

[Nevernose]

79. And people wonder why I'm not jumping w/ enthusiasm this election

Granted, I'm going to vote for him. Try and get my friends and neighbors to vote for him, even. But that's mostly just because his opponent is Sharron "incest survivors should just make lemons into lemonade" Angle.

I'll do the right thing, but don't expect people to be enthusiastic about it.

[davidwparker]

81. This is why I don't mind if he looses his re-election just

as long as it doesn't flip the senate. If he is back, he is back as Majority leader. And, there will be no filibuster changes because it provides them cover. Gotta get that 60 votes.

Reid is a loser and needs to go.

[WillyT]

4. + 1,000,000,000 - K & R !!!

:applause::applause::applause:

:kick:

[leftstreet]

5. K&R

[Love Bug]

6. If I could have a dime for every time we've asked the Dems not to be wimps

over the past 10 years just on DU, I wouldn't need a job. Yet time and time and time again they wimp out on just about everything. Michael Moore has good ideas here, but they will never happen.

The current crop of Dems either don't care, don't have the nads, or like things as they are. And before anyone starts jumping in saying, "What about _____?" I know there are exceptions. There just aren't enough of them to make a substantial difference.

My cynicism rises daily.

[uncommon]

7. If only. We need to be less loyal - like Republicans - turn on our incumbents when it is called for

Instead we hold our noses and keep them in office while they do little to nothing.

[defendandprotect]

46. Think everyone is waking up to that ... that's how GOP got where they are...knocking out

liberal/progressive Dems but also knocking out their own liberals and moderates and

replacing them with rightwing fanatics --

we have to do that IN REVERSE!!

:)

[Dawgs]

8. Don't like 2 and 3. Love the others.

:woohoo:

[depakid]

51. Neither does the Obama administration, so you're in "good" company

As to #2, the situation has been nothing short of a national disgrace.

[txlibdem]

61. So you're in favor of families losing their homes?

I'm pretty sure you'd find little agreement on that here on DU.

[RedCloud]

75. Jail congress folks who take bribes!

[ooglymoogly]

84. They'd all be in prison. All that would be left would be the liberals.

Oh wait...that's a good thing.

[The Uncola]

9. Excellant advice, however...

.. when have the knuckleheads in DC ever listened to really good advice? Except of course, when it was of personal benefit to them.

[HughBeaumont]

11. Even though #1 needs to be done right, right RIGHT now . . .

. . . "We suck less" isn't exactly a convincing argument. Bought is bought, and it's not OK if the (D) is in the same pocket as the (R) is.

[deutsey]

12. I didn't know Moore was such a pie-in-the-sky idealist

I agree with what he says here, but there's no way in hell the Democratic Party I know will touch any of these suggestions with a proverbial ten-foot pole.

[Bluenorthwest]

22. Take note, he did not suggest that they would do it

Just pointed out that if they did, they would win silly big. Where did he suggest that these Democrats would do it. Would and should are not the same words.

[deutsey]

39. LOL. The Democrats...fight? Yeah. I guess Moore wouldn't be that stupid. n/t

[cutlassmama]

13. k&r. Love Michael Moore!!!

[Ticonderoga]

14. Why is this guy always so right?

[whatchamacallit]

15. As usual dude is frickin' spot on!

Is it the desire for bipartisanship that's kept us from hanging this around their necks 24/7? I hope someone's listening...

[onecent]

16. K&R

[Lugnut]

17. K&R n/t

[AlbertCat]

18. Ahhhhhh! In a perfect world.....

It's just like an After School Special!

[JamesA1102]

19. All good ideas but only number 1 is possible in the real world

The rest are just pie in the sky stuff that sounds good but couldn't be done without major violations of the constitution.

[ProudDad]

32. You might want to check the Constitution again...

You must have been reading the wrong one...

2. Indict the Criminals.
Announce that the Justice Department will seek indictments against both those who caused the economic collapse and those who became war profiteers. Call it for what it is: organized crime. Use the RICO statutes. Use the basic laws that make fraud of any kind a crime. Get in the face of those who stole the billions, make them pay for it -- and the people will love you. We want Dirty Harry, not Dirty Dancing.

3. Announce a Moratorium on All Family Home Foreclosures.
Last month (August) there were more home foreclosures than in any month in U.S. history. Worse than any month in the worst year ever, 2009. The bleeding hasn't stopped -- it's only gotten worse. And now, this week, two of the largest crime organizations who are throwing hundreds of thousands of people out of their homes (GMAC and JPMorgan Chase) have been forced to momentarily stop doing this. It turns out, they don't really have the paperwork to prove they actually own these houses! It's madness. So if you do one thing for the middle class this week, do this. It will take an hour of your time to draw up the decree and issue it. We'd rather watch "It's a Wonderful Life" than "Poltergeist."

<There was a judge from New York on Democracy Now this morning who's blocking foreclosures by just this method...>

4. Announce a New 21st Century WPA.
"Who's hiring? THE GOVERNMENT IS HIRING!" Put together a simple plan to hire enough people to repair our roads, fix up our aging schools, and rebuild our infrastructure. Fund this by taxing the richest 1% who have more financial wealth than 95% of Americans combined! Unemployment will drop to 5%. Can you pass it? Well, you sure can't unless you try! And as you're trying, announce that you will force the Republican senators (who until now simply have had to say they "intended" to filibuster in order to kill a bill) to have to actually filibuster! Make them stand on the floor of the Senate and read from the phone book 24/7. They won't last a day. And America will see them for who they really are.

<Already declared Constitutional back in the 1930s>

Fail!


Of course, in your "real world" it would require real Progressive principle and a backbone -- neither of which the Obamites seem to have...

[JamesA1102]

34. So you're cyber stalking me now?

I might have to alert the moderators.

[ProudDad]

88. Don't say anything stupid

and you won't get a correcting post in return...

As for "cyberstalking" -- you're either paranoid or an idiot. Frankly, from the very few posts of yours I've responded to (like what, 2?), it appears to be a combination...

[JamesA1102]

90. But it is interesting that you're following me from thread to thread.

That sounds like cyber-stalking to me.

[Name removed]

91. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JamesA1102]

93. And you resort to insults when confronted.

Nice to know.

[ProudDad]

94. Confront?

"Confrontation" usually includes an attempt to question one's facts and/or analysis. You didn't do that.

You reacted like an internet child and I called you on it.

So if you're done with your paranoid hissyfit:

Would you like to question my factual account or analysis that we need NO Constitutional changes in order to do what Michael Moore has suggested?

--------------------------------------------

2. Indict the Criminals.
Announce that the Justice Department will seek indictments against both those who caused the economic collapse and those who became war profiteers. Call it for what it is: organized crime. Use the RICO statutes. Use the basic laws that make fraud of any kind a crime. Get in the face of those who stole the billions, make them pay for it -- and the people will love you. We want Dirty Harry, not Dirty Dancing.

3. Announce a Moratorium on All Family Home Foreclosures.
Last month (August) there were more home foreclosures than in any month in U.S. history. Worse than any month in the worst year ever, 2009. The bleeding hasn't stopped -- it's only gotten worse. And now, this week, two of the largest crime organizations who are throwing hundreds of thousands of people out of their homes (GMAC and JPMorgan Chase) have been forced to momentarily stop doing this. It turns out, they don't really have the paperwork to prove they actually own these houses! It's madness. So if you do one thing for the middle class this week, do this. It will take an hour of your time to draw up the decree and issue it. We'd rather watch "It's a Wonderful Life" than "Poltergeist."

<There was a judge from New York on Democracy Now who's blocking foreclosures by just this method...>

4. Announce a New 21st Century WPA.
"Who's hiring? THE GOVERNMENT IS HIRING!" Put together a simple plan to hire enough people to repair our roads, fix up our aging schools, and rebuild our infrastructure. Fund this by taxing the richest 1% who have more financial wealth than 95% of Americans combined! Unemployment will drop to 5%. Can you pass it? Well, you sure can't unless you try! And as you're trying, announce that you will force the Republican senators (who until now simply have had to say they "intended" to filibuster in order to kill a bill) to have to actually filibuster! Make them stand on the floor of the Senate and read from the phone book 24/7. They won't last a day. And America will see them for who they really are.

<Already declared Constitutional back in the 1930s>

[JamesA1102]

95. Repeating the same stuff over and over again

doesn't make it true.

And cyber-stalking is illegal.

[dionysus]

97. you like to hurl insults at people, don't you?

[JamesA1102]

98. Just making an observation nt

[dionysus]

36. obamites? what the fuck?

[Name removed]

89. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dionysus]

96. bless your little heart for trying so hard.

[orleans]

21. and then he ends with this:

"And quit complaining about "the base" not doing enough to help you. You want help? Do something this week to earn it. I've offered five suggestions. I'm sure the rest of "the base" has a few more."
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mike-friends-blog/five-ways-democrats-can-avoid-catastrophe-and-pull-mother-all-upsets

NO SHIT!

[joeybee12]

25. Realistically, they MIGHT do #3...

#1 is a no-brainer, but hey, we wanna be bipartisan.

[Desertrose]

27. Oh hell yeah.

But would they ever do it...or any of them? Nah...easier to blame your the ones who elected you.

[juajen]

28. I love Michael Moore. This is so true! NT

[bobbolink]

29. You missed a few, Michael.... Increase Food Stamps substantially

For every $1 spent on Food Stamps, $1.74 is returned to the economy.

Trumpet that loud and clear, and make sure that every citizen in this country KNOWS this fact, then DO IT!

Increase subsidized housing and get everyone off the streets and out of the damned shelters and into decent homes, then PUBLICIZE how much less it is costing, AND how much it is stimulating the economy.

DAMN IT MICHAEL! Learn to include really poor people in your statements, OK? It really isn't that hard, and its not like you don't know there are poor folk abounding.

[me b zola]

30. K&R

[txlibdem]

31. MM you are my hero

Please continue to stand up for what is right and to stand up for the common folk here in corporatist america.

WPA now. WPA today. What's that? Companies don't want to hire workers even though they are sitting on 1.8 Trillion Dollars? They could hire 20 million workers at $50,000 apiece and they aren't hiring at all?

Well, jobs are needed. They are in short supply. That sounds like a supply and demand problem. I thought Capitalism was all about seeing a need and filling it? So if the Capitalistas aren't going to provide the needed jobs, the government should darn well step up to the plate to do so.

WPA now! WPA immediately!

[veganlush]

35. Michael Moore

is a national treasure, pass it on..

[TBF]

37. K&R nt

[bloomington-lib]

38. 2 Reasons #2 would never happen

1)Some of Dems are connected to the criminals

2)If some of the R's get arrested for having anything to do with this, they'll say the D's are trying to suppress the conservative tide with a witch hunt. It would start to piss a lot of people off since the witch hunt would be all over Fox and the dems HATE pissing people off. They work harder at avoiding that than actually getting shit done. That's one of their biggest problems.

[Javaman]

40. Commencing with the holding of my breath.

FDR, Truman, Kennedy, LBJ and Carter would have done or at least considered many of those points.

K&R.

[hulka38]

41. #1 has to be, overcome the fear of your own shadow.

Then pick it up from there.

[hendo]

42. I wonder if Mike actually pays his taxes

or if he takes advantage loop holes like the rest of the rich white guys that he so often attacks.

[defendandprotect]

45. Received a substantial tax break from Michigan for producing a movie there ...and donated it ...

back to the city --

but, as I recall, stressing that it would help the arts/theaters!

[defendandprotect]

43. Cheers, Michael -- I'd be happy especially to see items #3 and #4 pass...!!

:)

[Swamp Rat]

44. k&r

[Honeycombe8]

47. Rule #1: Never take political advice from someone who's never been involved in...

a successful political campaign. Esp. if he's never even run for office.

Moore could not be more wrong.

1. The LAST thing people want to hear (again) is how someone else put the country in the mess it's in, not the Democrats. Sure, it's true. And it's been said repeatedly. It's becoming a joke. That's because the Dems didn't say it forcefully enough, or in the right way, or run ads about it earlier. It's too late now. Maybe a MENTION of it in an ad about all the good things the Dems have done.

2. The country doesn't want to get into indicting whoever Moore thinks are criminals. We're in the middle (or the end?) of a the worse recession in a century. The country is not in the mood to focus on high ideals, esp. in vague areas as Moore is talking about (vague to millions...not vague to others). It also costs millions of dollars to do it. Is Moore going to pay for it?

3. Foreclosures. Okay. So the people who are being directly by foreclosures will go out and vote for Democrats. But don't forget...most people aren't being foreclosed on. This will have little effect on them. Yeah, we know foreclosures affect us all. So it might help a little with the votes.

4. I agree with this one. Even the everyday Republican might agree with this one.

[tomp]

49. i see, it's about who wins.

those winners you so wish us to rely on are the CAUSE of the problems we face, either directly by causing them, contributing to them, or being unable to stop or correct them.

THIS is irrefutable.

these elected officials, these successful campaigners you speak of, need fucking help from some-fucking-one, might as well be michael moore.

they could hardly do worse than they're already doing.

[crazyjoe]

68. +1000

[ocd liberal]

48. K & R!!!

[John Q. Citizen]

50. Alright! An action plan. Time to stop whining about liberals and start acting

like Americans want you to, Mr President.

[laughingliberal]

52. K & R nt

[B Calm]

53. Kicked and Recommended!!!

REPEAL NAFTA

[Stellar]

54. K & R

:thumbsup:

[democrank]

55. Good start

[on point]

56. Moore gets it, why don't the Dems?

I also want to see the war criminals indicted for their war crimes and crimes against humanity.

This let past rest, move forward crap is one reason why I have soured on the Dems and Obama in particular. Haven't they noticed that every time the repukes get into office and commit crimes that we fail to prosecute, the next group of repukes commits even worse crimes????

Starting an aggressive war based on lies puts them right up there with Hitler's invasion of Poland. It is THE major war crime.

Torturing people is a major crime against humanity.

Violating the American constitution is yet another set of crimes.

These all need to be prosecuted, and CANNOT BE SWEPT UNDER THE RUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pooka Fey]

58. K&R

[McCamy Taylor]

59. Number 1 will take money.

[TheUnspeakable]

60. k&r

[elocs]

62. "4. Announce a New 21st Century WPA." This is what I thought Obama would do from the start.

Although I'm not sure if he would have ended up having big time problems with the unions.

[leveymg]

64. 5. Get new Democratic Party leaders. Start by firing Harry Reid and Steny Hoyer.

Put some really aggressive progressives in the leadership. People who will threaten to remove -- and will remove -- Committee Chairs and strip seniority of Senators and Congressmen who won't vote with the Party on key bills.

[onlyadream]

67. AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!!!

Please Obama - LISTEN to him!!!!!

[femrap]

69. Please let Obama read and learn from this. nt

[felix_numinous]

70. A Hearty K & R!!!!!

:kick: :headbang: :applause:

#2!!! Yes!!!

[martymar64]

71. Reved!

[CUTTIN HEADS]

72. BINGO!! on ALL counts

[Jeffersons Ghost]

73. K&R

[Overseas]

74. K&R. Very well said. //nt

[lonestarnot]

76. K & R!

[hedgehog]

77. K&R

[davidwparker]

80. Michael, you're making too much sense again. n/t

[suffragette]

83. K&R

[ooglymoogly]

85. It is stating the obvious....Kudos anyway....It will never happen.

Except for the decent few; they are all corporate shills who are part of the problem who count on Dino's to thwart any common sense that might upset the applecart.

[lunatica]

87. Every one of his suggestions would affect me personally

Politics is very local to us now.