tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339045.post2644811399479431106..comments2024-03-26T15:19:23.091-07:00Comments on false dichotomy by charles davis: The limits of liberalismCharles Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06005070529766546097noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339045.post-5878071526152501042010-05-24T19:25:55.121-07:002010-05-24T19:25:55.121-07:00Right.
The Obama adminstration is moving the goal...Right.<br /><br />The Obama adminstration is moving the goalposts on Iran, making it clear that war, after a few years of crippling sanction is the goal.<br /><br />And all the 'liberal' blogs can talk about is the 'barbarian' Ron Paul.<br /><br />I too checked out Sestak's positions and was amazed that he is considered a progressive victory. He is 'pro-choice' - other than that, pretty much straightahead 'muscular liberalism' - bombs away!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15409256441005464584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339045.post-84807509807119818052010-05-23T18:17:34.264-07:002010-05-23T18:17:34.264-07:00One of Obama’s campaign promises was to step up th...One of Obama’s campaign promises was to step up the war in Afghanistan…<br /><br />I don’t know what’s worse. Them or someone who can’t see what they are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339045.post-84788673559214969712010-05-23T15:47:42.081-07:002010-05-23T15:47:42.081-07:00The "Yea Team!" form of politics we'...The "Yea Team!" form of politics we're stuck with today leaves little room for nuance or principle. All candidates seem to come from the same pool of glib narcissists, no others need apply.<br /><br />The local area is the only place where the scum hasn't sucked all the oxygen out of the room. Luckily, it's also where we happen to be!Claudiahttp://laudyms.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339045.post-64433727301692625102010-05-22T09:32:41.937-07:002010-05-22T09:32:41.937-07:00I've said the same thing for a number of years...I've said the same thing for a number of years. Just imagine what the effort to get out of Iraq could have accomplished if all that volunteer time and money had gone into it instead of Obama's campaign. But, it's like talking to a brick wall. People that identify with the parties as a vehicle for change relate to them like sports fans relate to their favorite teams, think of the Republicans as the Celtics and the Democrats as the Lakers. Politics has been reduced to entertainment.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09164564889343805575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339045.post-66918236856045551872010-05-21T01:24:34.424-07:002010-05-21T01:24:34.424-07:00I loved and appreciated this article. I'm righ...I loved and appreciated this article. I'm right there with you on thinking a change would be afoot when Congress exchanged hands. I also must say I whole heartily agree with returning change and activism to the people's hands instead of hoping for earmarks that never come.<br /><br /><br />As a side, I found this comment disturbing "Activism that eschews governance is doomed." I also believe that attitudes such as that perpetuate everything that is wrong with our government of the people, by the people, and for the people...you know, it is that exact line that most people seem to forget.Sh2nn0n, your friendly neighborhood girltankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14331848037599428169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339045.post-86005713553774861112010-05-20T10:06:11.691-07:002010-05-20T10:06:11.691-07:00Investing in one's self is a great theme to hi...Investing in one's self is a great theme to hit on in our consumer democracy. Keep banging away.JRBhttp://ladypoverty.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339045.post-43461176917103099332010-05-20T08:30:32.192-07:002010-05-20T08:30:32.192-07:00I remember the democratic win of congress. I thoug...I remember the democratic win of congress. I thought I would see people in the streets cheering, horns honking and people hugging on the sidewalks. Seriously.<br /><br />nothing ~ not a clue that any type of a change had taken place. Life looked and felt exactly as it had the day before. I was stunned. <br /><br />You were not alone in your hope Mr. Davis.<br /><br />I don't give full attention to the Specter/Sestak, Lincoln/Halter races these days. Does it matter who wins? Don't they all want to belong to the group of people with the money and power. "More and better politicians"? Where are they?<br /><br />We all have to refuse to accept what politicians are doing to the country. Soup kitchens and community are a start.Tehranchikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13285195455065230632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339045.post-6980711734832527282010-05-20T06:57:25.941-07:002010-05-20T06:57:25.941-07:00Anonymous,
Thanks for the catch - pedantry is muc...Anonymous,<br /><br />Thanks for the catch - pedantry is much appreciated around here. In my defense, though, Mary Landrieu and Blanche Lincoln are so indistinguishable politically that they could trade places and only a handful of their constituents would ever notice...Charles Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06005070529766546097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339045.post-29339054341093135302010-05-20T06:38:10.459-07:002010-05-20T06:38:10.459-07:00Very nice - except I seem to recall that Blanche L...Very nice - except I seem to recall that Blanche Lincoln comes from Arkansas. Sorry for the pedantry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339045.post-57796445140643345112010-05-19T23:01:31.534-07:002010-05-19T23:01:31.534-07:00Charles,
Your advice is spot on and your words ne...Charles,<br /><br />Your advice is spot on and your words need to be heeded.<br /><br />Political activism has merit at the smallest and most localized level, because a citizen can gain direct access to meetings, proceedings and machinations of city/county officials and councils. At the state or national levels, though, it's plain foolishness to think that a donated dollar will make a dent in a larger edifice that is broken to begin with, and which regularly generates impoverished (pseudo-) "debates" with infantile language and kindergarten-style mudslinging.<br /><br />Over $2 billion - with a B - got raised in the 2008 presidential campaign, folks. How many people could have been fed, sheltered, medicated, clothed, counseled, trained, and educated with that much money?<br /><br />And that's just the presidential campaign.<br /><br />More hundreds of millions of dollars went to 2008 House and Senate campaigns, plus the gubernatorial campaigns of that election cycle, plus all the local races. The cash register popped with donations from the wallets of citizens, when all those combined resources could have benefited so many people.<br /><br />And what did all that money gain us? A Congress that is in the pocket of lobbyists who waste THEIR money (well, it's not "wasted" in the sense that Big Pharma and Big Military don't get what they want; they most certainly do) as a leverage play.<br /><br />Citizens can participate in politics with their voices, though I'd recommend direct service, action and help as your essay so eloquently stated. At the very least, I want citizens to no longer give away money - which is now more precious than it was three years ago - to this broken and markedly ineffective political system we have.Matt Zemekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11549151766426130779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339045.post-2087570612485537352010-05-19T21:52:16.700-07:002010-05-19T21:52:16.700-07:00Acting in concert to improve one's community, ...Acting in concert to improve one's community, unfortunately, requires dealing with political parties. Political parties, even as corporate fronts, control the public purse, and can thus frustrate independent good deeds.<br /><br />The US electoral system may be essentially corrupt as the aristocracy it protects, but ceding the field of conflict seems a poor strategy for reform. Better to organize independent parties to challenge the corrupt and initiate change.<br /><br />Build influence and power locally, especially keeping in mind that cannot be sustained without some type of political infrastructure to recruit, socialize and nurture an ongoing pool of new leadership. Mixing things up electorally and otherwise needs the continuity and funding that only a party provides. Activism that eschews governance is doomed.Jay Taberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11016367021003977811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339045.post-44767075603653092572010-05-19T20:37:37.440-07:002010-05-19T20:37:37.440-07:00Well said and well thought.Well said and well thought.LarryHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15536427617054714861noreply@blogger.com