Letters to the Editor
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Reality is scarier
It would be nice to believe that a) people are gaining wisdom and b) a change in parties will make a difference, but fear -- of change, of the economy, of the future -- is still the ruling emotion here in the hinterlands. And for all of the low-level muttering, the yellow and red, white and blue ribbon decals still adorn the SUVs, trucks and mini-vans and I'm still considered "unpatriotic" because I don't support torture, rape and massacre by our troops. And as much as I'd like to believe that the Deomocrats would make a difference, so long as a candidate must raise roughly $10,000 per day to campaign we will be stuck with a plutocracy at best, an oligarchy at worst.
It's not apathy that's keeping people from voting, it's learned hopelessness.
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Take America Back
It's simple. Not easy; simple. Register and vote. If 75% of voting age America actually voted, those fascist bastards would be well on their way to orange jumps suits and a cozy cell with angry black men. Vote. It's that simple. You can give up if you'd like, but I sure as hell won't. Our day is coming. We believed it in the 60's, but it just took a little longer than we figured. Take our country back, and throw the bastards out in November. Don't whine. Register your like minded friends and family. Get out the vote. Don't piss into the wind; change the direction of the wind. We can do it.
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Color me cynical
It's heartening news, but unfortunately, this poll still doesn't address the issue of voter suppression and fraud. Even more important than who votes, is who counts the votes. So far, the GOP had maintained just enough of a monopoly on that activity
Isn't it a given that the GOP will use similar tactics to those that they have used in the last three elections--or worse-- in order to throw "close" races their way?
I only wonder what they will do now when the races may not be as close. And if they should still manage to hold the House, against all odds, and by using unethical/illegal tactics, will Americans finally take to the streets?
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The Dem's will win...
...only if they deserve to win. They will earn their victories only by actually representing the will, the needs, the desires, and, yes, the values of their voters.
When, what was it, 60%? 70%? of American voters across the board are polled about Iraq and they support at least a goal-directed (if not a time-tabled, if not an IMMEDIATE) withdrawal from Iraq -- and the Dem "leaders" can't bring themselves to stand for that goal, let alone to vote that way in Congress...
When we see ostensibly-Democratic congress-critters selling us out to banks and credit-card companies (thanks, Joe!), and raising the numbers of H1B visas (thanks, Ted!)...
When we find Democrat names among the supporters of the Bush tax giveaways and other policies that are dramatically increasing income and wealth inequality among Americans, as well as, of course, saddling future generations with more debt than ever (thanks, Mary!)...
When we hear the Dem power structure announce loudly that they're NOT going to get serious about exercising their oversight responsibilities, or holding the Bush administration to account for their violations of US and international law, and for the way they've not only utterly failed at reducing international terrorism, but instead dramatically increased the number and severity of terror attacks worldwide, not to mention single-handedly demolishing our reputation, and our moral stance in the world (thanks, Nancy!)...
...is it really that surprising that so many people still think it WON'T make enough of a difference (if any) if the Dem's were to take over?
If and when the Dem's can make a convincing case that they'll actually be willing to ACT like Democrats again, maybe a few more of them WILL get elected.
But if anyone out there is feeling like putting their money where their hearts are, I'll happily lay some odds on a Dem takeover of either, or both, houses. That way, if my expectations are proven right, I'll at least have something to show for it.
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It's the American Dream...stupid!
As the tepid democrats have recently proclaimed, it is not the war, or international hatred of America, or the rollback in science, or the rollback in civil liberties, or the privatization of public land, or the sorry state of emergency response, or the largest issue looming: global warming.
It is the fact that we are not all experiencing the American Dream! How come I didn't get a HumVee like the Republicans?
I can't wait for the American Dream power point presentation. Democrats sweeping the house and senate. Other than the new door plaques, how will we know a change has taken place?
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skeptical
If people haven't seen this administration for what it is by now, I seriously doubt that they will be motivated to get off their collective apathetic asses and do anything to change it. This is possiblly the most corrupt, unethical administration we have ever had in this country, having more in common with dictatorships than a functioning democracy. It frightens me how easily we allow ourselves to be so easily manipulated by the 'republican echo machine' on any number of issues from stem cell research to the blatant subverting of our own constitution by frauds who wrap themselves in the flag while proclaiming 'christian values' rule this country. I hate to be so skeptical, but this country seems to be on a downward spiral at the hands of the republican party and mainstream America seems to have dozed off on their couches. It is one thing to be angry with this administration, but where is the alternative? The democratic party is worse than useless in the sense that I think many can see the direction we are heading, but their 'leadership' is too spineless to really speak out about it. I feel very frustrated that we don't have a REAL alternative party with a realistic chance of getting elected. Hopefully in november the american people (at least the few who will bother to vote) will surprise us and throw these corporate/ivy league/elitist/pseudo christian/neocons out of office. But I doubt it.