Reply #76: I'm know I'm not adding anything constructive but... [View All]

I really detest Joe.

Not only that but I disagree with him at nearly every turn. I take offense to his "now is not the time" speech. I'll tell you what time it is Joe, it's time to stop looking at a partisan poll to decide which way the wind blows. It's time to actually present the American people with actual viable alternatives to the adminstratation that has been appointed to them for the last four years. It's time for someone with the balls to say "guess what, 60% of you are wrong in this issue, and I'm here to explain why -- you elect leaders, and I will lead, not follow." Just once in my life I yearn for a politician who just came out and said, "this is my conviction this is what I believe, and if you don't agree with that you should vote for someone else." I would vote for the man on the spot.

Not only that but I completely RESENT the idea that ideological convictions are something that one just "throws away" when they become unfavorable. I don't believe in strong centralized social government because its cute or cool -- I don't believe in it when polls say support is high only. I believe it in because I believe it is R I G H T and its still right when the chips are down. I believe that Americans should be taxed, and that taxes aren't a bad word. I believe that it is not possible to both have a complete and decent health care system for every American, appropriate social security and drug benefits, a descreased poverty rate, a rise in the quality of American Education, safer streets, and a job for every American who wants to work AND at the same time not collectively pay taxes for those programs. I however, believe that the people who this country has made fantastically wealthy should shoulder a much greater load of that overall burden while easing that burden on the poor. They should do so eagerly, willingly as a wonderful part of the role that play in this great society. But when they don't feel that way, the government should make them take on that role. I thought that was what being a Democrat was about.

I am for strong defense - not offense, not a military armada that is 10 times more powerful than the next thirteen largest armies in the world - combined. I am not for Empire and I never will be. I'm not for taking over the world for our corporate interests. But I am for a strong defense of our homeland. I am not for using the military as a revenue generating machine for huge military contracts for ridiculous spending. But I am for a well trained army that is sleak, and efficent and defense of our nation, not dominating the entire planet. I thought that was what being a Democrat was about.

I am for the protection of civil liberties, not the erroding of our personal freedoms under the false pretense of "security." I am for personal freedom in all its forms, including the freedom to make personal choices about our bodies, our sex lives, and our form or worship or lack there of, free and independant from government interference. I thought that was what being a Democrat was about.

I am for a general attitude that says: people first, profit second. Not one that ceases to care about the free market, or stops believing in what are commonly called "american values" -- but one that really does put compassion into the mix, one that things about the need of others and seeks to create real solutions. I am for caring about the individual's rights and well being and against corporate welfare. I thought that was what being a Democrat was about.

Please allow me to vent for a second: I am sick and FUCKING TIRED of Democrats who aren't Democrats -- who offer me no real difference from the other party...

Oh I'm a democrat, but I don't want to raise taxes for the sake of much needed social reform.

Oh I'm a democrat, but you'll never catch me talking about a bloated defense budget leaving the nation with rotting schools, starving kids and jobless Americans.

Oh I'm a democrat, but you won't catch me taking a controversial stand like standing up for gay rights, or speaking out in opposition to an immoral war.

Oh I'm a democrat but I have no plan or committment to public education, here let me throw some vouchers at the problem.

Oh I'm a democrat, but....


The bottom line is, we really don't have two parties anymore and I'm so sick of it I could vomit.
Sel