Self-reflection is needed

Democrats: A Reality Check

"Over the last few years, Lisette and her family have had to make some changes. They are both working two jobs now, just to pay the mortgage, and the utility bills, which keep going up. In fact it seems like everything is going up but their salaries. They get "raises" but they are token raises that don't increase their take home pay more than a few dollars a month after taxes. They've cut out the extras they used to enjoy, like cable TV, taking the kids to the Olive Garden on Sundays, Lisette has even started buying the kids' clothes at the Goodwill. Instead of Hamburger Helper for supper, now they usually eat canned soup. They've used up their savings, and for the last couple of years, even things like a new tire for the car, or their insurance co-pays, have had to go on the credit card. And now it's a struggle to make the minimum payments. They are starting to realize that they can't really afford the payments on their home, but they can't afford an apartment either. They looked into bankruptcy but found out that with the new law, even that wouldn't help them. Neither has parents they can move in with for a while.

What do the Democrats have to offer Lisette and her family?


Justin and his partner want to be married. They don't want a civil union, they don't want a marriage that might be recognized in one state, but not another. Justin's job requires a lot of travel. What if something happened to him in a state that doesn't recognize Ben as his spouse? His parents, who never accepted him or Ben for who they are, might try to get assets he wants Ben and their adopted daughter to have. He's talked to a lawyer and done all he can, and for their family, things might be OK. But he worries about other couples who may not have money for a lawyer, and he just doesn't like the idea of a tiered system of equal protection under the law.

What do the Democrats have to offer Justin and his family?

Keisha lives in the projects with her mother and two small children. She is lucky to have her mama to watch the kids while she works. She is lucky to have a project apartment, although she might lose it because her cousin got caught with a joint when he left the apartment the other night. They have this zero tolerance thing, and he KNEW that. Keisha doesn't make enough money to get an apartment if they get kicked out. Her oldest baby's daddy is dead. A policeman shot him, said he thought Calvin had a gun. It wasn't a gun. It was her baby's bottle. The father of her youngest is in jail. He tagged a wall, there was no money for a lawyer, public defender, it's a story you hear a lot in Keisha's neighborhood. Both the kids have asthma. Keisha has taken a second job to pay for their medicine, and make up the difference in Medicaid and the bills for her mama's diabetes, but everything keeps going up every month. Some dressed up people were in the projects the other day, not the dangerous one where Keisha lives, but the new one. Her cousin lives there. They gave her a brochure about some politician. It's a good thing too, because the baby spit up and Keisha didn't have any Kleenex....

What do the Democrats have to offer Keisha and her family?

Earlene is retired, and her main concern is high medical costs. She is confused by the new Medicare prescription drug program, but she has figured out it isn't going to save her any money. In fact, when she went to the drugstore, they wanted $800 for just one month's worth of medicine. Then they said she could have two month's worth, but time is running out, even though she cuts all the pills in half . She's on a fixed income and doesn't have any money to give to the insurance companies, but even if she did, none of them offer coverage on the medicines her doctor prescribes.

What do the Democrats have to offer Earlene?

Annabeth just got kicked out of her apartment. The rent kept going up, but her hourly wage didn't. She was already working two and a half jobs. Now she lives on the street, with her two small children. The other day somebody came around with some sandwiches, talking about some program to let homeless people vote. They had literature about some politicians. Annabeth looked at it, but didn't really see anything that had anything to do with her. She doesn't believe that it makes any difference whether she votes or not.

What do the Democrats have to offer Annabeth and her family?

Karen is pregnant. She used protection, a gel she bought from the drug store, but evidently something went wrong. On her salary, she can't afford to go to the doctor, and the health insurance they have only pays if you are in the hospital for more than a week. Plus it costs an arm and a leg, and she's had to take a weekend job to be able to pay her rent. It doesn't pay much, and since it's part time, she can't afford to take a day off work to go wait at the planned parenthood place. Her state doesn't offer any financial help for abortions, and the women's clinic wants just about what Karen takes home every month. She doesn't want to be a mother, and couldn't afford a child even if she wanted one. She is so desperate she even asked the guy who got her pregnant to lend her the money, but he said no, it's too bad if she has money problems but he is seeing someone else now. He asked Karen not to call him again.

What do the Democrats have to offer Karen?

Elaine is a nurse. She is fed up with the things her country is doing, both at home and overseas. She keeps up with the news, and in her job it's impossible to ignore the fact that just a fraction of the money being spent to invade other countries could save a lot of lives right here in the US. She's heard a lot of speeches and promises from politicians her whole life, but things keep getting worse, not better. She's decided to move to Norway. At 35, she's begun to think about getting married and starting a family, but not in America. It's no place to raise a child.

What do the Democrats have to offer Elaine?

Paul, after twenty years of supporting Democratic candidates, is fed up. It seems to him that there is not really much difference between the two parties anymore, if there ever was. The invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq were for him, the last straw. And soon it'll be Iran. Meanwhile, he sees the lives of his friends, his family, falling apart, mostly because of health care and housing costs. And Paul knows they're the lucky ones, with jobs and insurance, and a roof over their heads, at least for now. Nobody he knows is living more than three checks or one serious injury or illness from the street. His parents are getting older, he worries about how he will care for them. Just the other day, his mom fell in the bathroom. He put in some handrails, but soon handrails won't be enough. How will he take care of them? How will he pay for their medicine that isn't covered by either the new Medicare or that sorry ass insurance policy they bought? His salary is barely enough for him, and the company has been downsizing. Paul is through with the Democrats. He wishes there were a party that isn't owned by the corporations, one that will actually do something for the people, not just make the same old tired speeches, but he knows that in the US, that would never be allowed.

What do the Democrats have to offer Paul and his family?

The Republicans clearly have nothing to offer any of these people.

What do the Democrats have to offer them?


(NOTE: If I have posted this here before, please overlook the oversight. It, or something like it should probably be posted every week or so in all kinds of places, sadly, most needed in places where its posting would be forbidden, and those who had thoughts of doing so banned, as the people in the article itself have been effectively banned from the political activity permitted in the US)

DucttapeFatwa

_______

What has happened to our party, the party of the people?

I want to believe there is a fundamental difference between the two parties, I don't want to give up on the Democrats, but you're right: there is no party movement amongst elected Dems to reclaim what Democrats used to stand for--the people. A few isolated voices, but the rest of them just seem to be in collusion. It's very depressing.

We didn't mean to isn't an excuse and it makes nothing better, it's insulting when we still fail to check the results of our policies instead and just push the party line. That's how the Republicans got into the mess they are in now, we aren't too far behind in ways.

I like the awareness I see on this board. I just wish it was reflected more in the leadership. It's our nations policies that are creating many of the problems we deal with, they need evaluated and changed rather than having band-aids applied.

Some democrats have screamed and yelled about the condition of people like those in your post.

Many more have sat back and repeated the mantra "we are just waiting to pounce" and "a great day is coming."

Others rushed to sign up for KKKorporate sponsored oil war in Iraq

Still others voted for a nice big bankruptcy "reform."

I think that more office holding democrats than not care about these issues. But how they react in Congress is to value their seat and its perks over principle.

... to get their reposnse. It's an excellent tool (among others) to tell the differences between our candidates.

It needs to be shared.

but please include both the author and this link:

http://ductapefatwa.blogspot.com/

Copy all you want and send to as many sites you want.

I live with my partner of 26 years. I don't have to work, we live in a highrise in a major westcoast city right downtown, we eat pork chops, roast, steak, and shrimp, chix--no 'canned soup'. These stories are sad, but they don't have to happen. And, yes, we have cable and can eat at the Olive Garden--or better--anytime we want. We DO need a new car, but not much else is a problem. America is STILL a wonderful place.

Curious though, how have you managed to arrange your life where you do not have to work for a living Must have been pretty smart to get enough money to not have to work.

Ah yes, the good life. Everyone with the right virtues can have one.
Is that about right?? Let them eat cake, eh?

How wonderful for you to be so well off & not have to worry about finances.I wish more of us could be in that position.

Does it not bother you ever so slightly that perhaps others have not the "good management" skills that you have? Or maybe that's their fault?

DR

Unless they simply find it easier to blame someone else.....

so I will not be harsh. But I think you don't really know how people can be trapped into poverty, with no way out.

It doesn't matter how hard or smart people work, it's about market position. And sometimes people can be trapped, sometimes from birth in an inferior market position where they cannot profit from what they do, no matter how much they believe in the American Dream of if they work hard, they will be successful. Often times, people never become successful. It just never happens, the system is rigged against them being successful.

Now like I said, I think your heart is in the right place, but maybe you should learn a little more how the world really works. I suggest, going to where soup is ladled into poor peoples bowls, maybe listen to those that are in need. Listen to their stories. You may find that by and large, it's a matter if just being fortunate. Not that people that are fortunate are evil, it's more a matter of people that are fortunate should realize they are fortunate and try to help those less fortunate. I can be very uplifting, to realize just how fortunate you are, to be thankful. It doesn't take giving money necessarily, it's more about listening, really listening.

"It just never happens, the system is rigged against them being successful."

That's absolute nonsense. I don't believe that in the least--and I've made plenty of soup kitchen sandwiches and worked with the chronic schizophrenics on the street. I know poor--and I know we have it better than any other country on earth.

"It just never happens, the system is rigged against them being successful."

This is very clear. If you don't see it you are not looking.

As to us having it better than other countries. Yes, that is true ...to an extent- but we do not take care of our own as well as we could or should or as well as some other countries do. Homeless people are a fact in this country. Too damn few people care or want to even think about it.

Healthcare is just a big fat joke too and too many people are not covered. No excuse for any of it but it is certainly helped along by those who refuse to acknowledge any of these problems exist and if they do, well, hell, its those folks fault. Has nothing to do with me- I've got mine, toughies for them.

What a convenient way not to have to deal with things one doesn't want to deal with.

I'm no victim, either.

Everyone in America has that opportunity.

Some people don't have the opportunities to make their lives any better than they are now.

Do you honestly belive it is through their fault or lack of working "hard" enough or getting the "right" education? or healthcare or any number of things that can & do de-rail peoples lives every day with NO help from anywhere? No one that really cares because they have their sweet apartment and one income to support them and their wonderful good management skills, so tough on them.

Yeah, go right on believing that everyone in your America has the same opportunities.

I didn't say everyone had the SAME opportunity. Learn how to read.

Seriously?
Learn how to read?

Thats the best snarky reply you've got?
Oh. ouchies.

You at least realize that the opportunities presented aren't all the same.

But you clearly do not understand that there is a point of despair and struggle where sometimes you are unable to see those opportunites, much less have the energy to grab them and make them work to your advantage.

So you've worked in soup kitchens and "know the poor". Right. Your compassion & understanding clearly show that in your posts here.

"the rest of the story" about these families you've set out to debunk.

What would your prescription for them be? This should be quite interesting.

I'm not a savior. Maybe they should just believe they can't help it--like the previous poster to me said.

We are Americans after all, and we should be entitled. What if everyone could just engage in the bribery and corruption and greed that is destroying this country. Hell, we don't need to produce anything as a nation, we can steal all we need from other countries. Yeah, that's the ticket. And those that prosper under this new doctrine should not have to give anything back to the system that makes them so wealthy. They could let the burden of maintaining the system and fighting all the wars fall on the poor, where it belongs. It is their fault for being poor. Hell the poor are what is wrong with this world in the first place. They should be punished. It's the American way, it's the Christian way, it's what we are fighting for. No worries.

Like it matters to you.

I just figured since you're so generous with your snap judgements and dispensations about your own money management skills manageing someone else's great paycheck, there might be something more actually enlightening or constructive at the end of your sentence somewhere.

There isn't. There never is with GOP talking points on the subject of poverty and/or the working poor.

Givent that that is the case, nothing in your life is really of your own making.

And I didn't say I'd NEVER worked. My life IS exactly what I make it--just like yours is. Where I live, how I've worked, who I've chosen to live with, their occupation, EVERYTHING HAS been my choice to pick or not to include in my life.

Get back to us without the smugness when your hubby's job gets taken by someone with an H1b visa.

And if it does, she'll get another or I will. And my 'hubby' is a woman.

or it pays 1/2 or 1/3 of what you presently receive? or there are no benefits? or you have to relocate? or you get a "divorce"?

Not gonna happen....and you know this how?

reverberating down through time.

I really do hope, for your sake, that the ideas you posses never have to be tested against reality.

And of course, your fortune means that "not much else is a problem" for other Americans, right?

You make me want to puke. America is a wonderful place for people like YOU. You are right, though, when you say they "don't have to happen." What are YOU doing to make sure that these things DON'T happen?

Thank you for saying it.

K&R

:cry:

We lost a lot when this person got evicted. Posting continues at: http://ductapefatwa.blogspot.com/

For an example of what we no longer see at DU, go to this page http://ductapefatwa.blogspot.com/2003_11_01_ductapefatwa_archive.html and scroll down to "Part 1: Some advice for the newly outsourced, downsized, and generally unemployed" and start reading.

I am so glad he is still around on his blog & other places as well....
(I'd link to it if I could).

DR

Every elected democrat should have a copy.

Would love to see every candidate be required to wrangle with these structured questions in a formal debate.

and to answer the question, the dems can offer a little less evil then the GOP to the folks mentioned in the OP.