I was on the radio with Ed Schultz today and we talked about marching on Washington. I THOUGHT we had done the hard work ("Mission Accomplished", if you'll pardon the expression) and could watch our elected representatives accomplish their (and our) goals. But, apparently I was wrong - it now appears we need to send a message loud and clear to the Washington elites - do your jobs now or lose your jobs in November.
I shudder at the thought of Republicans coming back to power, but, with the Democrats looking like clowns, voters will continue "ping ponging" between the parties, and it's the Republicans' turn. This is rewarding obstructionism; so that's why I say it's time for us to march - take the initiative away from the fringe loony Teabaggers - and send a BIG MESSAGE from REAL AMERICANS to get things fixed now or leave the office later!
Unless and until there is a viable third party, Americans seem intent on just going back and forth between the two parties - and both now appear to be awful in different ways. Republicans are merely a front group for big business and Democrats are a half-bought-by-corporations group that is afraid of its own shadow. Democrats - even with big majorities - cannot govern. So we either march and force them to do right, or we watch the "evildoers" return to power. I say MARCH!!
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ON WASHINGTON.....it is time that Americans stop blogging, take
their message to the streets and let their voices be heard............
The only problem that I can see with your suggestion (I hope that
you really mean it, when you say that it is time to MARCH ON
WASHINGTON) is getting folks to actually organize and back up
this stand.................we need people with strong leadership, to
help get this march moving............just talking won't do it, so I
hope that you can put your money where your mouth is.................
Folks, it is time for ACTION, if you don't do your part, the Repubs.
will continue to hold your country hostage, and the ransom will
continue filling their coffers!
And while I would travel from Olympia to DC to march for a solid progressive agenda, there is NO point in marching with a vague pro-Dem / anti-Republican message.
So Cil, what exactly is it that YOU want to march for?
You hit the nail on the head. Anything less than that would be laughable. I would also like to add two more things.
1. We should not treat this as "A march on Washington". We should treat this as a gathering of the like minds. Just going someplace to yell and scream is not the answer. All those things you posted are the answers to 90% of our problems. This should be the place where we meet and begin planning to implement solutions.
2. We should not continue to call teabaggers names or look down on their intelligence. Alot of them do have great concerns. We have to teach them and possibly get them to become part of the movement. Further dividing americans is not the right way to go. So ED and NORM, stop name calling.
Regarding a March on Washington, each of you have conveyed some difficulty with the issue of "messaging" around such an event. Norman seems to think that masses of people might march and rally for the House health care bill -- only slightly less of an industry boondoggle than the Senate bill.
Seriously?! I thought you guys were breaking with corporate-partisan loyalties.This country needs a RADICAL new direction and more and more people are ready to get on board.
We need a New Deal for Economic Democracy!
* A reinstated Glass-Steagall
* An improved Medicare for All
* A new Civilian Conservation Corps
* A bailout for under-water mortgages
* Publicly financed elections
During the lead-up to this event your shows could provide the necessary forum for educating and rallying people to this campaign. Movement leaders like Ralph Nader and Michael Moore -- Progressive Dems like Dennis Kucinich and intellectuals like Naomi Klein -- would help inform and energize the masses.
As a launching point for this discussion I recommend an article by Steve Fraser published today at Tom Dispatch and CommonDreams:
The New Deal in Reverse: How the Obama Administration Ended Up Where Franklin Roosevelt Began
http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175205/tomgram%3A_steve_fraser%2C_a_tale_of_two_presidents__/#more
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/02/11-6
People do respond to the truth when they hear it. And people are desperate for something bold and meaningful to rally around.
Anything less is pointless.
Sandy
Olympia