The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age
    Ramona's picture

    Shut your damned Enthusiasm Gap and get out there and DO something

    By Ramona on Wed, 10/06/2010 - 7:04pm |

    We all know that certain people who make it a practice to depreciate the accomplishments of labor - who even attack labor as unpatriotic - they keep this up usually for three years and six months in a row. But then, for some strange reason they change their tune- every four years- just before election day. When votes are at stake, they suddenly discover that they really love labor and that they are anxious to protect labor from its old friends.
     

    I got quite a laugh, for example - and I am sure that you did - when I read this plank in the Republican platform adopted at their National Convention in Chicago last July: "The Republican Party accepts the purposes of the National Labor Relations Act, the Wage and Hour Act, the Social Security Act and all other Federal statutes designed to promote and protect the welfare of American working men and women, and we promise a fair and just administration of these laws."

     
    You know, many of the Republican leaders and Congressmen and candidates, who shouted enthusiastic approval of that plank in that Convention Hall would not even recognize these progressive laws if they met them in broad daylight. Indeed, they have personally spent years of effort and energy - and much money - in fighting every one of those laws in the Congress, and in the press, and in the courts, ever since this Administration began to advocate them and enact them into legislation. That is a fair example of their insincerity and of their inconsistency.

     
    The whole purpose of Republican oratory these days seems to be to switch labels. The object is to persuade the American people that the Democratic Party was responsible for the 1929 crash and the depression, and that the Republican Party was responsible for all social progress under the New Deal.

    Now, imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery - but I am afraid that in this case it is the most obvious common or garden variety of fraud.

    FDR, September 23, 1944




    Okay, I feel like the mother hen here--the dotty old mother hen who keeps repeating herself, even when it's clear that nobody wants to listen.  We mother hens do this, not because we're so keen on being royal pains-in-the-ass, but because we're keen on looking at the big picture and keeping it real.  So, yes, I've said this before and I'll say it again:  We Dems/Libs/Progs need to do everything we can to keep the Democrats in control.  If we don't, the Republicans win and their gloating will take the form of locking us in towers and throwing away the keys.  They haven't even won yet, but on the strength of polls and pundits telling them they will, they're already planning ways to kill the few puny safety nets we've been able to jimmy into place.

    So along with the satisfaction you get from gunning for the Democrats who in your view are either clueless or cowardly or in bed with the corporates, you might want to give a thought to how all that griping is fueling the other side.  They're loving these little internecine battles, because while all that spitting and hissing is going on, they can move on down that low road with nary a care in the world.
     


    I'm not going to rehash the horrors that will be unleashed if the Republicans take over congress, because there are others who have done it much more thoroughly already.  It will be bad.  You know that.  It will be so bad, we'll wonder how we could have let it happen again.  We'll pretend we didn't have anything to do with it--that the Big Money/Tea Party juggernaut was just too much for us.  But we'll be lying to ourselves, won't we?  All of this energy going toward attacking our own should be going toward attacking them. They are the enemy of the people, the destroyers of the universe (given half a chance), and we have an obligation to heal the wounds, not make them deeper.

     


    The One Nation rally should be enough to convince us that we have the power if we'll only just use it.  It's a lie that we are a right-leaning country.  We couldn't have accomplished as much as we did if we had historically followed the dictates of the right.  We would never have had a healthy labor movement, a vibrant middle class, a claim to the title of greatest power on earth, without liberal pressure and sweat.  We built this country; they tore it down.  Now we're trying to rebuild and they're on the fast-track to tearing it down again. 

     The press is profiting from the looniness of the Right Wing and spends almost all of their time mooning over them.  Meanwhile, the good folks with mountains of practical, beneficent ideas but no talent for hawking them sit around and wait their turn.  Still, I'm seeing encouraging signs of a momentum building.  The Huffington Post, for example, has a new page called "Third World America", where real people talk about real problems and real solutions.  Elizabeth Warren finally has the president's ear, and someone is actually quoting the irrepressibly sensible Bernie Sanders.   Al Franken's heart is a hit on the senate floor.  Rachel Maddow has become an unlikely and refreshingly brilliant star.  Lawrence O'Donnell--smart guy in his own right--has his own show.  Michael Moore gives the Dems five steps to a win and in his follow-up he sees some progress.  And President Obama is beginning to sound like his old self
    .

    It's a start.

     


    So what's it going to be?  The Republicans taking over congress and making sure none of our programs ever see the light of day?  Or the Democrats winning a clear majority, sending a message to the entire country about where our priorities must lie?

    I'm declaring a moratorium on Democrat-bashing until the elections are over.  If you're not willing to get on board, I'm blaming you for everything that happens from here on out.

     


    Have a nice day.

     


    Ramona  

      (Cross-posted at Ramona's Voices here.)

    Comments

    Hey we need more mother hens for chrissakes.

    Eight of the worst economic years since FDR and people are pissed at the left?

    Damn.

    And I underline a fact I bring up at least once a week; 420 bills passed by the House now languish in the Senate. At least Chris Matthews brought it up on MSNBC.

    Nancy Pelosi has worked her pretty grandma butt off for almost two years now AND THE LADY SHOULD RECEIVE SOME CREDIT.

    The vast majority of Dems are doing the best they can.

    Good post Ramona!!


    by Richard Day on Wed, 10/06/2010 - 8:03pm

    Seconded.  Great post!


    by LisB on Wed, 10/06/2010 - 8:50pm

    Amen!


    by Doctor Cleveland on Wed, 10/06/2010 - 9:24pm

    I’ll meet you half way Ramona.  I’m gonna keep saying what I think about Democrats but I will change my font color to white so no one will see it.

     

    So what do I think of Obama? Well “                                                                         

     

     

                                              “  And I mean every word of it.


    by LarryH on Wed, 10/06/2010 - 10:50pm

    Hey Larry, did I tell you I can read between the lines?  Wink   I'm saying don't give the Republicans a chance to crow, and for God's sake, don't give them a seat in the powerhouse.  Wanna hold the Dems feet to the fire AFTER the election?  I'll hold them down for you.  With the Dems we might have a chance; with the Repubs it's guaranteed we won't.


    by Ramona on Wed, 10/06/2010 - 11:54pm

    AMEN!!!!

    And if Larry does not agree with this truism, I GOT PICTURES AND VIDEOS!!!


    by Richard Day on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 12:07am

    I think the chattering class is going to be surprised in Nov.   Dems are just now paying attention to the races.  


    by trkingmomoe on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 12:33am

    Let's hope so.


    by Austin Train on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 1:44am

    Why do I feel like a victim?

    I can empathize with other victims

    It's just a little pin prick

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHk6clzLeMM

    The rapist say's to his female victim ' shut up and stop that crying and don't scream out, it'll be over soon enough.

    Thank you

    Now wasn't that good?  

    As the rapist says 'it 's all your fault you know.

    The police say you shouldn't have worn that type of dress, so it's your fault.   

     

    Are you comfortable with that?


    by Resistance on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 10:06am

    

    You wrote "Wanna hold the Dems feet to the fire AFTER the election?  I'll hold them down for you." 

    You say you'll hold them down, but you knew they were scorpions?  

     

    The Scorpion and the Frog

      A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the

    scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The

    frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The scorpion

    says, "Because if I do, I will die too." 

      The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream,

    the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of

    paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown,

    but has just enough time to gasp "Why?"  

                                  Replies the scorpion: "Its my nature..."

     

    The Farmer and the Snake

    An Aesop Fable Retold by Rose Owens

    It was bitterly cold as the farmer climbed the path to the high hills to check on his livestock.  A rattlesnake lay across the path, nearly frozen.

                “Please,” begged the snake, “take me down where it is warmer.  Or I shall surely freeze to death.”

                “I don’t think so,” said the Farmer.  “I would be a fool to trust you.”

                But the snake pleaded.  “If you will do this thing, I promise that I will not hurt you.”

                Having compassion upon the snake, the farmer picked him up and carried him down into the valley and laid him down upon the ground.   As the snake warmed up, he wiggled and stretched.  He coiled himself up and struck the farmer.

                “Why did you bite me?” cried the farmer.  “You gave me your word not to harm me.”

                “Ah,” said the snake, “but you knew what I was when you picked me up.” 

     

    A mouse asked a frog to help her get across the river. The frog tied the mouse's front leg to her own back leg using a piece of string and they swam out to the middle of the stream. The frog then turned traitor and plunged down into the water, dragging the mouse along with her. The mouse's dead body floated up to the surface and was drifting along when a kite flew by and noticed something he could snatch. When he grabbed the mouse he also carried off her friend the frog. Thus the treacherous frog who had betrayed the mouse's life was likewise killed and eaten.
    For people who do harm to others and destroy themselves in the bargain.

     

    It appears we either get snakes or scorpions?


    by Resistance on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 6:28pm

    Ramona, I'm just another mother hen, but I agree. The dems are screwed up, too...there's no doubt about it. But if I'm going to get raped, and I get to choose who's doing the raping, I'll choose the one who will probably hurt me the least. It is what it is.


    by stillidealistic on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 2:54pm

    Back at you stilli

    If you don't scream out, crying for help, you are no longer an innocent victim you are now complicit.

    Instead of sounding the alarm to warn others not to trust any relationship with this suitor.  When you had an opportunity to prevent another from being victimized, you quietly resolved in your heart, it's not to bad  it could have been worse. 

    You will have empowered the culprits, as they now get more brazen and calloused, the next victim might not be as strong as you.  

    As the rapists gloat how weak you were to succumb, and they feel more power through your humiliation.

     

     


    by Resistance on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 7:05pm

    If you don't scream out, crying for help, you are no longer an innocent victim you are now complicit.

    You would be hard pressed to find a woman who agreed with that statement. How one deals with the potential, is completely up to them. In some cases, fighting might be appropriate. In others, cooperation in hope of survival is a better choice. Choosing survival DOES NOT MAKE YOU COMPLICIT.


    by stillidealistic on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 9:22pm

    Well, THAT'S depressing.  What is all this talk of rape?  Is that what's happening to us by everyone in power?  I have to believe the Dems know what's coming if they don't start thinking about the masses and adjust the programs to fit their needs.  It's too late for them to make promises now.  They're already percieved as nothing but false, uttering promises only to get the votes and then it's back to business as usual.  They're going to have to understand that our patience is exhausted, and they had better shape up.  Don't know how to do that without jeopardizing our own positions by giving the Repubs a jump ahead--at least in these weeks before the election.  But I want them to know that if they do win they're going to be owing us a HUGE debt, and the way they pay up is by finally taking the Democratic party back to its liberal/progressive roots and making the working class their only special interest.

    I'm not crazy about the idea of a third party, but we can't survive with a do-nothing congress.  Something has to change--but not now.  Not this year.


    by Ramona on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 8:01pm

    I'm not a big fan of the rape analogy either.  Glad it's not just me.

     


    by LisB on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 8:06pm

    I wasn't thrilled myself, but, I just picked up on what resistance said and went with it...

    We ARE helpless this year. It's too late to do anything but to go for the lesser of two bad choices, in many cases. And, yes, Ramona, if we are by some stroke of luck able to pull this out, they ARE going to owe us. I'm just unsure of how we are going to collect given that the corporate masters own them lock stock and barrel.

    It feels like we are in a damned if we do and damned if we don't situation.


    by stillidealistic on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 9:16pm

    Stilli, I've been a Democrat for over 50 years. I will NOT let the Democrats of today kill our legacy and turn us into Republican lite.  I don't believe they're all under the spell of the corporates.  I do believe that the amount of money a candidate needs these days is obscene, and that has to change.  I see many Dems who try and fight the system, but their voices aren't the voices that are heard enough.  The numbers are growing, though, and I have to think it's because they finally see the damage their inaction (and sometimes treachery) has caused.  We have to trust somebody, and I'm inclined to trust the Democrats much more than I'll ever trust the Republicans.  I don't see a viable third party any time soon, so the reality is that, except for a few independents, we have to choose between Democrats or Republicans.

    I see Al Franken there in the senate and I see an old-style Democrat.  I'm watching Russ Feingold, a good man and the kind of Democrat we can be proud of, fighting for his political life.  There are others who fit the mold and I'm encouraged by them.  I'm sticking with them but I'm keeping my eyes open, and I'll slam them when I feel they need it.

    But I won't give up, because after 50 years this is who I am.

     


    by Ramona on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 9:57pm

    Well, as you know, I'm new to the dem party, and I can't say I'm thrilled with them (us) at the moment, but I do believe the dems are the best hope for the country. We HAVE to find a way to make the leaders of the party listen to us!


    by stillidealistic on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 11:39pm

    I'll try to comply, and agree that any R victories are a step in the wrong direction. At the same time, I think putting a little scare into the Ds might be a good thing. If they should come through this election without getting the message that they're not doing enough for the man on the street, that too would be the wrong message for them to take home.  (copied from my response over at your own blog, which I read first)


    by miguelitoh2o on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 2:55pm

    Absolutely.

    The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

    If the Democrats don't realize how close they are to having the wheels come off their machine, then I suppose they really are too stupid and they don't deserve to rule and a third party IS the only option left.

    Time after time we have hoped for the best, and have been disappointed

    Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
    Albert Einstein

    .   


    by Resistance on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 6:45pm

    I totally agree that we need to put a scare into the Dems, but how far do we go with that?  Do we urge a certain percentage not to vote for them so they win by just a squeak instead of a landslide just to teach them a lesson?  What if our calcs are off and the Repubs take the lead?  Believe me, I've thought about this a lot.  My fury at the Dems has to take a back seat to my fear of the Repubs and their move to the extreme Right Wing.  We just can't have that--not now.  Our society is at cliff's edge and if the Dems--the party in power--can't stop us from dropping off I don't know what will happen to us.  I do know that with the Republicans in power we lose everything we've worked so hard for.  There have been improvements, however slight, and we have to add to that, not give it all away.

    We have to save our anger for later, as hard as that is to swallow.   If there's another solution, I'm listening. 


    by Ramona on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 8:50pm

    Miguel, thanks so much for commenting on my blog.  Gets a little lonely over there sometimes!


    by Ramona on Thu, 10/07/2010 - 10:57pm

    As Dick would say, "I'VE HAD IT WITH THESE SNAKES ON A PLANE!"

    We're all on the same plane, right?  We're all trying to stay calm while the pilot manuevers around things we can't see.  Because, face it, we're not in the cockpit, are we?

    So let's give the pilot a break, and pay more attention to the things on the ground that are within our control....

    ....like, say, our own public schools.  Our own town hall meetings.  Our own city council meetings.  Our own local politicians. 

    If you all want to tell people how you feel and what you think needs to be done, then get off your computers and get into your town halls.

    Work from the ground up and stop waiting for Obama to trickle down like we all know Reagan did so well.

    Seriously.

     


    by LisB on Fri, 10/08/2010 - 3:11am

    Lis, you've hit the nail on the head.  We do have to start locally and groom the kinds of leaders we want out there working for us. 

    Your analogy is perfect.  At the federal level, we don't know what's going on out there, what kind of turbulence is causing problems for the pilots.  We can only hope they know what they're doing up there in the clouds, and remembering their obligation to those of us in the back seats hanging on for dear life.

    It doesn't help to be throwing rotten tomatoes at them while they're trying to get us to a safe place.

     


    by Ramona on Fri, 10/08/2010 - 8:08am