Sunday, November 14, 2004

Democrats Commit Suicide: Harry Reid, Wrong Choice for Senate Minority Leader

By Josh Frank

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Posted 11/14 | Add a Comment

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  1. What I don’t understand is, why is so much attention being given to the Democratic Party by people who proclaim themselves to be progressives?
    The Democratic Party and progressivism are antithetical to each other.  How much more evidence do we need that they are a Party of panderers, not progressives?  Rather than belaboring how things increasingly suck with the Dems, our time would better be spent creating an alternative solution to...http://reclaimdemocracy.org/political_reform/images/donkeyphant.gif

    Posted by Nader Rider from  on  11/15  at  09:47 AM

  2. Very good questions, good points raised here by NR. What is going on?  What is going on?  What is going on?

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  11/15  at  10:13 AM

  3. It’s clear these dolts will never learn.  So if anyone in the Democratic leadership is reading this, I’d like to offer you a bold new strategy - one that may actually work:  Have every elected Democrat in Washington change their party affiliation to Republican!

    Think about it, how else are any of you ever going to get another chance to select committee heads, a majority leader or a house speaker?  Join with the moderates in the Republican Party and take over.  You’ve turned the (anti-)Democratic Party into nothing but a corrupt, rotting hull of its former self, so you’re not really leaving anything of any value behind, anyway.

    Join the Republican Party.  You know you want to.

    Posted by Paladin from Michigan, USA  on  11/15  at  10:15 AM

  4. I personally think that it may have something to do with, what I call, the failing marriage syndrome.  You know, the dynamic that often occurs when a marriage is no longer producing mutual and desirable benefits for both individuals… and one of the individuals spends an inordinate amount of his or her time trying to convince the other individual that they are worthy of their continued affection and devotion.

    I hear alot of progressives grieving over the Dems’ forsaking their progressive principles and values.  I say enough of that; it’s time to move on and form a new commitment with someone who truly values what you do.

    If the Dems want to have an affair with the mistress of pander for their self-serving purposes, so be it.  The future of our country is waiting for many of us to snap out of our grief and get to work on the things that really matter.

    Posted by Nader Rider from  on  11/15  at  10:36 AM

  5. I’ve lost a lot of “friends” of late confronting “progressives” on exactly what NR is putting on the table here. Nevertheless, we must go thru uncomfy battles on the personal front in order to have a shot at advancing.  That’s a price that too many are not willing to pay, and that’s why I say that others are going to have to push in new ways...with smaller #s, outside of the usual groups. If there’s “sex” involved in the analogy posed by NR, then I submit that some of the initial political foreplay called for will have to infvolve something like abstincence. That’s leaving the spouse AND foregoing the “other person.” Paladin’s silliness is like a call for returning to 50s thinking. I should have an article on what NR has busted open here...if Mark will post it.

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  11/15  at  11:03 AM

  6. First of all, give me a break. If everybody was as enlightened as both Ox and NR, than there would be no point in exposing the Democrats’ fraud. However, we aren’t there yet. Who do you guys expect to organize when the majority of so-called “progressives” vote Dem out of fear rather than optimism? Indeed, they still have hope in the Democratic establishment. In order to break down that door, we MUST continue to criticize the Democrats. Perhaps then people will realize that real change won’t happen in DC, but at home, on our own streets. Simply asking, “whats going on” is useless. I think it shows how out of touch some people on the left are in regard to real organizing. The mixed/black neighborhood I live in, for example, is very much pro-Dem. Until we get these people, grassroots, pissed off at the electoral arena, and on board, we have to go after the Dems and expose them for what they are. It is critical for organzing efforts. And future change. I’m sorry, I just don’t believe a rebellion can come about with a 100 radicals that blog with eachother. We need many more.

    Posted by Josh from Josh  on  11/15  at  11:04 AM

  7. Josh brought up some good points.

    But, I think what Ox and NR are saying is why do we have these comments about the democrats on a website that has “100 radicals that blog with eachother”?

    I am also sick of reading about the democrats on “radical” or “progressive” websites.  I barely read zmag.org anymore.

    “It is critical for organzing efforts”, Josh I definitely disagree on this.

    Posted by elches1917 from  on  11/15  at  11:29 AM

  8. Actually, Josh, I believe that many people continue to remain faithful to the Democratic Party.... even if the Party is not looking out for their interests… for reasons more than just fear.  It’s a cultural conditioning as well.

    To use my previous example of a failing marriage, and thanks to influences like organized religion and family orientaion, many people today continue to remain in dysfunctional and/or unrewarding marriages because of the “for better or for worse” mindset.

    And as long as people continue to have that mindset, no manner of depicting how undeserving the object of their faithfulness is will have a significant effect on them.  After all, they are in it “for better or for worse.”

    So I differ in your assessment that it is of primary importance to exert diligent effort to reveal the Democratic Party for who they truly are.

    For the “for better or for worse” folks, it won’t make a dent.  And there alot of folks out there with that mindset.  The mindset of being willing to settle for less in their lives.  That’s what ABB was all about.  And it’s that mindset that needs to be effectively addressed.

    Thanks for your feedback, Josh.  Enlightenment, however, continues to escape me.

    Posted by Nader Rider from  on  11/15  at  11:41 AM

  9. P.S.  I believe that most therapists will also tell you that… when dealing with a man or woman who is chosing to remain in an abusive relationship with his or or her significant other.... no manner of depicting how abusive the abuser is will effectively compel the abused partner to successfully leave the relationship.  Instead, a more heightened appreciation, by the abuser, that he/she is deserving of better… often accomplishes that where other approaches fail.

    And yes, I do believe that the Democratic Party is abusing the loyalty of many of its followers.

    Posted by Nader Rider from  on  11/15  at  11:53 AM

  10. It is a nice analogy NR, however, do you then think we should forget about having abuse centers, and educational material for women in abusive relationships? Don’t bother showing them there is a better way, or that they indeed can and SHOUlD get out?

    Posted by Josh from  on  11/15  at  12:02 PM

  11. I don’t think that the Party-loyal progressives are as uninformed about the true nature of the Party as you may think, Josh.  I visit a number of “progressive” message boards, and many, many of ‘em see the unfaithfulness of the Democratic Party quite clearly.  Yet, their actions (ABB-wise) were loyal to the Party, irespective of how disloyal the Party is to their principles.  THAT, my friend, is a typical response in most abusive relationships.  They don’t need to be further educated about how disloyal the Party is.  They need to be empowered to think and feel that they deserve better… and act accordingly.

    Posted by Nader Rider from  on  11/15  at  12:09 PM

  12. “do you then think we should forget about having abuse centers, and educational material for women in abusive relationships?”

    would you hand out this “educational material” to those who have left the abusive relationship and remarried years ago?

    would you open an “educational center” and invite people who are experts on the issue?

    I’m not sure about NR, but that’s why I’m sick of hearing about democrats on websites like this one.  In other words presenting anti-democrat material in a different context might be beneficial.

    Posted by elches1917 from  on  11/15  at  12:19 PM

  13. Not a problem, I don’t need to send Mark my stuff on the Dems.

    Posted by Josh from  on  11/15  at  12:35 PM

  14. I’m only speaking for myself and interpreting what I think NR and Ox meant.  Please don’t take it personally. 

    I’m still frustrated about the ABB’s and the support for Kerry from so called radicals.

    Posted by elches1917 from  on  11/15  at  12:46 PM

  15. And my intent, at the outset, was a rather simple one.

    To give all those who continue to place their spotlight on the disloyalty/corruptness of the Democratic Party… something else to think about… as they continue to endeavor to further convince the abused re. how abusive their abusers are.

    I just don’t think that its the most effective tact to take.  Thats why many Dems pinched their noses and carried barf bags to the voting booth.  They know all that about the Party, yet choose to remain loyal to it.

    People need to stop being willing to sette for less in their lives.  And talented writers like you, Josh, can be bring some much needed attention to that transformation of the electoral mindset.

    Posted by Nader Rider from  on  11/15  at  12:58 PM

  16. Josh,

    I would be happy to publish your critical pieces on the Dems in the future. So please keep sending them. I would be grateful. If folks are tired of reading articles about the Dems on this website or others, then they can go elsewhere.

    Posted by Mark Hand from  on  11/15  at  01:01 PM

  17. I think the abusive marriage analogy fails to take into account the “security” aspect in why one spouse stays.  For the both spouses it may be economic.  For the woman not having the man’s income.  For the man having the state power separate him from his home and income.  Therefore for the ABB crowd their excuse was having no “secure” alternative.

    The problem is rather than from starting from scratch it is “safer” and more “secure” to keep what you already invested your time, energy and money.

    What needs to occur is not only criticism of the Democrats but also building confidence in the ABB crowd that they have to “start from the beginning’ to build for the future.  And that may be the most difficult idea to get across.

    WB

    Posted by Wilson Barber from  on  11/15  at  01:35 PM

  18. Good points.  Very relevent too.

    “Therefore for the ABB crowd their excuse was having no “secure” alternative.”

    If by a “secure alternative” you mean no other candidate that they viewed as “electable”, I hear you.  But that would be as good an example of “false security” as any I’ve seen.

    Posted by Nader Rider from  on  11/15  at  01:59 PM

  19. Josh got this one 111%. Reid is a flamingoish pink neon sign of the times that the overweighted Dem heavyweights are happily destroying themselves. Yes! I want to lead this back into the burgeoning new party vibe many of us sense (e.g., Donna Volatile mentions the meme on CP today). This rightwing Dem-otion is good and bad. It’s good for all of us who already know we need a party. It’s bad for all those lifetime Democrat voters and ho-hum supporters—the everyday people we all know. Just in case anyone’s forgeting, they are not our opponents: they are among our future constituents. Why should this chance for political enlightenment be bad for them? Well, in the short term, it’s got to be an out and out downer to watch this if you have spent your entire political life affiliated with a self-destruct button slaphappy party. No? Haply, all this plays right into our hands. Disillusionment is empowering! We are all now on national morale boosting detail ... that is, we will keep boosting our morale (easy that, as we are all rather brightish, chipperish and funnyish).  As the Dems inanely keep on Republimorphing, we will attract the defectors, the stragglers, the screwed, and the habitual vote throwers. We get the sane American vote. We get the Dean vote. We get the Kucinich vote. The ‘this war is crap vote’. We get the womens’ vote. Probably the black vote. The ‘it dawns on me that I am being exploited vote’. We get the environment vote. Et cetera. We will get all the good votes but none of the corporate money. Let the Democrats ape Republicans! We will keep on evolving! The quicker Democrats and Republicans complete their hideously merge-mutation into some repellant, trunk-nosed, flap-eared, four-kneed, still stubbornly equine monstrosity the better. Nobody’s voting for that!

    Posted by Theo from  on  11/15  at  03:56 PM

  20. Where is Carl Sagan when you need him: “It’s better to light a candle then to curse the darkness.”

    Posted by Nader Rider from  on  11/15  at  04:23 PM

  21. Nice to see a Carl Sagan reference here (although I’m certain Carl wasn’t the first to say that).  Carl, like Ralph Nader, happens to be one of my few heroes - Carl, for his charismatic popularization of science without demeaning or diminishing it, and Ralph, for making me once again believe in the power of one person to make a difference.

    As for the Democrats, of course I was being silly before.  But the most effective comedy is that which has a kernel of truth.

    The very unfunny element of all this is that so many progressives are truly convinced that no viable alternative exists.  They’re trapped in a fearful herd mentality, and are so ensconced in the two-party paradigm that it will take enormous effort on our part to make them see otherwise.

    Even with the Democrats’ implosion, we have our work cut out for us.

    Posted by Paladin from Michigan, USA  on  11/15  at  06:18 PM

  22. I hear Josh’s new book is great.

    Posted by R from  on  11/15  at  10:39 PM

  23. Which one?  The book about Howard Dean’s rise and fall, or “Left Out: How Liberals Helped Bush”?  I thought that both books are still forthcoming and haven’t been published yet?  Has one of ‘em been already published/reviewed and I missed it on my radar screen?

    Posted by Nader Rider from  on  11/15  at  11:02 PM

  24. As far as I know, Josh’s planned book on Dean morphed into “Left Out,” which is scheduled to be released in early 2005. But I could be wrong. Whatever the case, I’m looking forward to picking up a copy of the book based on the articles by Josh that I’ve been reading over the past year and a half. As for the word on the street, maybe some of R’s friends pirated a review galley of “Left Out” off the web or maybe R is a member of Common Courage Press’ multi-million-dollar publicity machine, hired by Greg Bates to create buzz for “Left Out” in the comment sections of non-ABB websites.

    Posted by Mark Hand from  on  11/15  at  11:45 PM

  25. Josh Frank also has a big frankfurter.

    Posted by R from  on  11/15  at  11:59 PM

  26. What’s Joshua Frank’s favorite monster?

    FRANKenstein

    What’s JoSHUA say when he gets scared?

    Oh my goSHUA!

    What’s Josh need to do when he stinks?

    Wosh.

    What’s Joshua Frank’s favorite food?

    Frankfurter.

    What’s Josh do at a concert?

    Hop into the Mosh Pit.

    Who’s Joshua Frank’s favorite founding father?

    FRANKlin.

    Posted by R from  on  11/16  at  04:36 AM

  27. Whoever “R” is, a real asshole (no doubt an ABBer or even worse, one of the brain dead morons that voted for Bush). Why don’t you sod off to whatever dark hole you crept out from?

    I hope Josh will continue to follow the Green party saga, as well other independent party activism and the unfolding counter-hegemonic movement. I agree it’s tricky, I guess you can balance your Demon-crackhead Party alerts with other topics. All the best bro’...

    Posted by Rhino Rick from  on  11/16  at  05:55 AM

  28. I couldn’t agree more, Rhino.  Josh’s article on the Greens’ suicide run...  ... was alot more intriguing to me then his more current one on the Dems’ latest suicide run.  I, too hope that he keeps his finger on the pulse of the third parties more.

    Posted by Nader Rider from  on  11/16  at  05:39 PM

  29. Frankly, I’m not sure why you think I’m an ABBer.  To be frank, my guess is that you just didn’t read what I wrote carefully.

    Posted by R from  on  11/17  at  12:42 AM

  30. To R, and others..

    The book, Left Out! How Liberals Helped Reelect George W. Bush, will be out in early 2005.

    Not sure how R heard about the book.. Is there a pirated copy out there? I’d like to see it..

    Mark Hand is correct, the Howard Dean book morphed into Left Out which I have tried to make a saga of our pressing times and the futility of the Democratic Party.. Its written for those ABBers out there.. NR may not be too excited about it.. although there is a good portion dedicated to the Green Party..

    Posted by Josh from  on  11/17  at  03:17 PM

  31. Thanks, Josh, for giving me something to look forward to in your next book. The good thing about buffets is, there is an entree or two for every taste.  I’m sure that your next book will be such a literary buffet. *positions himself at the spot of the table where third party entrees will likely be placed*

    I strongly agreed with and supported Ralph on almost every position that he took on almost every issue, save for one: his occassional admonitions to the Democratic Party to be more this and less that, etc.  I didn’t think that it necessarily served his interest to pitch to the disillusioned that way.

    Thanks again.

    Posted by Nader Rider from  on  11/17  at  04:52 PM
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