We really have no idea how this looming disaster is going to play out, but we used to say that those who are not angry were not paying attention; nowadays it's those who are not scared that are not paying attention. The hex cast by those voodoo economics of which daddy Bush so presciently spoke is now casting its inevitable pall over the entire nation and the world like a vast volcanic cloud.
In this context, it's hard to imagine that Sarah Palin will be able to recover from her disastrous recent appearances, morphing overnight into an eloquent and knowledgeable spokesperson for the Republican ticket and Republican policies. It's hard to imagine that John McCain himself will be able to redeem his wild gambles on matters of grave importance, and the inanities of his public utterances. It did not help him any yesterday, to intone in a sepulchral voice that this is no time for blame and in the very same breath to blame "Barack Obama and his allies in Congress" for the failure of the economic rescue plan. He just looked old and sadly out of touch with the realities of the situation.
No, short of an "October surprise" -- whether real or fabricated -- on the part of international terrorists, McCain has done everything he can to ensure his loss to Obama in November. He doesn't need any further help from us.
So it's time to help Obama. How? I think first by each of us putting our narrow interests aside for long enough to propel him into the Oval Office. The likes of Bill Maher and Ralph Nader and Michael Moore need to stop trash-taking him even when they think he deserves it. Bill Clinton needs to step out of his childish pique and speak out wholeheartedly against the policies that have come close to destroying everything he once claimed to stand for. I might agree with some of these people's arguments, but this is no time to spread dissent. The moment is simply too important -- and I do believe that there's a difference between the two candidates and their policies. It's not just a matter of character. I hesitate in saying this, but I truly think that now is instead the time to speak with a single voice, even if it means subordinating our own to one with which we don't necessarily quite exactly agree in its every nuance and implication. We can cavil a bit later.
Next, I think we should allow McCain and Palin the privilege of destroying themselves and each other. The best we can do is treat them as irrelevant--as they truly are. They are doing an excellent job of making fools of themselves--better, in fact, than we could do because they can't blame it on our sexism, or elitism, or intellectualism, or anti-Republican bias. Let them continue down their chosen path to political perdition. Obama's right: we can take the high road and still win.
There's plenty to talk about. At the moment, what I'd like to talk about is the admirable calm and the carefully-modulated measured approach with which Obama has handled this entire crisis. Others have pointed out -- some critically -- that he has not injected himself into the process. Rightly so. He did not belong there. John McCain did not belong there, and won no points for pretending to have powers he simply did not have. He came off weaker for the attempt. As my own financial adviser insisted this morning when I called him (yes, I'm scared!) the financial crisis cannot be solved by the president, let alone the candidates for the presidency. It's a matter most efficiently handled by those with the most knowledge and the most expertise, and by the action of the United States Congress -- if it finally proves capable of action. Obama did well to stand back, with a certain degree of modesty and a good deal of wisdom.
There's plenty else on the positive side of the ledger, and we can help most by noting it, and broadcasting it by whatever means we have available. I shamed myself a couple of nights ago, at dinner time, by turning two young democratic workers away from my door on the pretext that "I'm doing what I can." I thought first and only about my dinner getting cold. As Ellie pointed out, in her particular wisdom, I should have invited them in, given a few more dollars to the campaign, congratulated them on their good work, and sent them on their way encouraged. It could have been my own daughter that I turned away.
I make this latter comment because I hope that my confession will caution others not to be so fast in rejecting the telephone call and turning campaign workers from the door. It can't hurt to dig into the pocket for those few extra dollars, nor to praise the caller for the good work that they're doing. Please learn from my poor example, and do -- and write, and say -- the positive thing; anything, to get this man elected, despite those human imperfections he does not deny. We can't continue any further now along this path to insanity and self-destruction.
Ryan M. Henige
Martinez, CA
I can't run no more with that lawless crowd
While ki l l ers in high places say their p rayers out loud
But they've summoned, they've summoned up a thunder cloud
And they're going to hear from me
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget the perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in
That's how the light gets in
--Leonard Cohen
This is the time--let us work together to let the light in!
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Disgusting. Just shut your mouth, hold your nose, and vote. I will not support another corporate candidate, so I won't support Obama or McCain. People need to wake up and realize they're handing our country over to corporations. Nader/Gonzalez is the only alternative, but it's too bad the corporate controlled media won't allow you to hear their populist message. That's why we need to take it upon ourselves to do our homework as voters and find out that McCain and Obama don't have our best interests at heart. I urge all of you to stand up to them and vote for the best candidate for the job, Ralph Nader.
Ryan M. Henige
Martinez, CA
You don't want to wake up the day after the election and think maybe you should have done more than just making comments on blogs!
And ultimately, as even Rachel Maddows echoed on her show last night, it almost seems like this was all a setup to somehow derail Obama. So no matter what I must support him.
But you forgot to mention how much we "progressives" have going for us.
We have a moderator tomorrow night who has an Obama book coming out on the day the O Man will ascend to power!
If she doesn't make Palin look like an idiot I'll eat my John Edwards "I feel pretty" CD!
BHO '08!!
I'm 65, working full-time and likely to have to continue working for the foreseeable future. During the primaries I spent weekends and most of the week prior to primary day working in nearby swing states, first to register voters and then to get out the vote, and worked as a poll-watcher on the primary days of those states (one of which wasn't all that close to home). I also contributed twice as much as I could afford to the campaign. I'm continuing the same kind of work now. My kids work weekends as well as during the week, and their contribution to the cause is to look after my dog so that I can be away, just as I looked after friends' kids and pets during the Vietnam war when i was unwilling to be gassed or beaten by police in street demonstrations while I was pregnant.
I do this because the continued existence of our democracy hangs in the balance. I don't want to have to explain to my grandkids why I didn't do what little I could to save them from living in a fascist country.
Save the egotistical rants for AFTER the election!
This election is so important that we really don't have time to fight about the small stuff. Palin and Mc Cain sure scare the hell out of me. He flip flops on every issue, and they are just liars on every hand. She claims she is transparent but hides behind the McCain campaign and can only come out when she is told. I don't trust a person that goes along with everything someone does or says. Have your own mind, we were all born with our own brain and social security number. That makes us individuals.
As our financial institutions crumble around us, Republicans have rallied around a cry for blame on the Democratic Congressional majority. The irony is that over the last 2 Senate sessions the minority Republicans have set records in the number of partisan filibusters blocking much needed legislation...including financial regulation which may have mitigated our current economic crisis. Over 130 filibusters in 2 years!
A 60-40 majority in the Senate allows the Democrats to legally quash obstructionist filibusters and get our representatives back to work solving the extremely serious problems currently facing our nation.
I urge you to add your voice and your financial contributions to the following Senate campaigns where strong Democrats are facing vulnerable Republicans:
- Alaska: Mark Begich (http://www.begich.com)
- Colorado: Mark Udall (http://www.markudall.com)
- Idaho: Larry LaRocco (http://www.laroccoforsenate.com)
- Louisiana: Mary Landrieu (http://www.marylandrieu.com)
- Minnesota: Al Franken (http://www.alfranken.com)
- Mississippi: Ronnie Musgrove (http://musgroveforsenate.net)
- Nebraska: Scott Kleeb (http://www.scottkleeb.com)
- New Hampshire: Jeanne Shaheen (http://www.jeanneshaheen.org)
- New Mexico: Tom Udall (http://www.tomudall.com)
- North Carolina: Kay Hagan (http://www.kayhagan.com)
- Oregon: Jeff Merkley (http://www.jeffmerkley.com)
Why does Bill need to remind us he doesn't like Obama, why does Ralph hold so deperately to his quixiotic quest to get people to listen to him at the expense of candidates he agrees with 80% of the time? The Dem's NEVER speak with a single voice and this is where the Repugs beat us. Until this looming defeat they have marched in lockstep on campaigns and what they laughingly refer to as governing.
When you're a Republican you are a Republican! Check your personal morals and ethics at the door. That is the mantra of the Republican party. Democrats seems to be every man for himself as long as you make your point.
Some dates for VOTER Registration are coming soon CHECK your states voter Registrations debt line.
1) Register ( you can register at the POST OFFICE no stamps)
2) Get Someone Else REgistered
3) Go Vote Nov 4
Obama/BIden 08