"The sad part of President Bush's trip. He's so unpopular, he had to sneak back into this country." --Jay Leno

I too am dismayed. But not so much from the minor rancor on the blogs but how it has seemed to me that we have lost our eye on the prize. The  liberal blogoshpere provided great hope that good government can be achieved if we organize and use our clout. But right now the Republican juggernaut is back in motion utilizing perfect timing to turn the polls around to the 50% mark they are going to need to preserve their majority in Congress come November.

Ann Coulter, that perverse herald for right wing causes, is motivating the ignorant to get in your face, Congress is voting on gay marriage and more self defeating tax cuts, and the President slinks into Baghdad. You might think this is superficial window dressing, because it is, but the danger it poses to us is the degree to which it motivates their base. The constituents of their base are the ones influencing their neighbors, church members, co-workers and family members to vote Republican.

Democrats have an image problem. And the pissing matches on the blogs  play right into Republican hands. Meanwhile our erstwhile leaders are fiddling while Rome is burning. The blogs are the base and should be managed and utilized to their fullest and very great potential. But our Democratic leaders do their utmost to look more like Republicans instead of motivating us with, not only a reason for us to vote, but also a reason to get our friends and neighbors to vote. Failure to do so is why we will lose yet again.

It's a target rich environment out there for a Democratic candidate and Democrats need to formulate a message that speaks to the base and to our values as Americans.

1. Iraq--forget how we were lied to. Instead focus on how we will get out with our remaining shred of honor in tact. The conflict has been horribly mismanaged. If we had a true international coalition or UN  forces
we would have instant legitimacy from the rest of the world, the people of Iraq, and it would throw fear into the enemy. GITMO must go. And Americans don't torture or cast aside the bill of rights out of fear. We are a
nation of laws fighting an enemy whose law emanates from the whim of a  religious leader. Promise to not let us become the enemy.

2. Medicare and Social Security--just ask any senior. What a large unexploited voting bloc. Promise to make our seniors feel secure.

3. Katrina--Republican cronyism is the public perception of why FEMA didn't work. We have major crises looming that would require a significant government response like more hurricanes or a bird flu pandemic. Promise to put a professional in charge of FEMA and to never put a  person who hates government in charge of government.

4. It's the deficit stupid--you are not voting against tax cuts, you're voting for sound fiscal policy and to lower our debt to foreign governments. Every tax cut we vote for requires us, you and me, to borrow more from China. Who wants that? Promise to have Americans pay their  own way or do without.

5. Promise you won't rubber stamp White House initiatives. All you Congressional Dems who failed to vote against the Iraq War and in favor of the sweeping powers you granted the President have a real problem with  us.
We are the opposition party, do your job and grow a spine. Every one of us would rather go down fighting for causes we believe in rather than compromising our values just so you can stay in Congress. You have
been co-opted and no longer have legitimacy in our eyes. We need leaders of conscience.

6. Health Care--it's a crisis. All of us know someone flying without an insurance net. No single issue will get more motivation to vote for you.

These all reflect American values and should resonate. But we can't sit back and think the Republicans are the ones doing the imploding. We need a message to motivate us and we will do the rest. The time is ripe for a populist movement in this country. Democrats can be that movement or we can continue to be part of the problem.

Sign me, Sisyphus.

Thank you Sisyphus. Have you ever considered a career in politics?

ALL HAT NO CATTLE IS ONE OF THE BEST SITES ON THE WEB!!!! I look forward to your posting every day. A.H.N.C. asks for donations, and I know that you need these donations to stay online. A.H.N.C. is unlike "Power Web Sites", in the fact you don't brag or showoff. There are many of us on the web who are tired of the bragging/begging that goes on at "Power Web Sites". Many of these---have lost their focus and have gotten out of control. They Brag about their importance and stature in the world and have become actually obnoxious. Their posting Participants just want to put their point across, without paying any attention to the previous persons thoughts or ideas.....very rude and very self serving!!!!

THE BLOG "OWNERS ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR OWN STATURE AND SELF IMPORTANCE. THE DON'T GIVE A RATS REAR END ABOUT THE CONTENT OF THEIR BLOGS.......UNLESS THEY ARE MAKING THE BIG BUCKS.

As an endnote.........I am very tired of the Blogs....I read the Headlines and move on.....Life is too short....I have worked all my life....and i dont need to hear about or see pictures of the "Super Blogger" Jet setting vacations in Europe, Australia, Undersea scuba Diving, Playing Poker, Hanging out with the Stones, Rubbing elbows with Movie Stars, Politicians, and Sport Figures............etc. etc. etc.
(While they keep begging for money)

We love A.H.N.C. , and we will send some green your way in the near future.....thank you KevKev from Arizona.

Thanks for your kind words about AHNC KevKev.

Sadly, the limelight can turn some people into exactly what you have complained about.

KOS POLL vs Bartcop Radio

KOS took a poll to see what his viewers thought.  What's wrong with that?  I took the poll.

Bartcop says he has a "radio show", is he on the radio waves ? No, you have to pay Bartcop for it. At least KOS poll is a f**king free poll. Bartcop "radio" is not on the radio. So just whom is being honest?

I used to like Bart but after that KOS complaints and the torture he condones "in case of emergency" is way way too much for me to stomach anymore. I'm tired of reading him constantly defending the indefensible, it's a waste of everyones time. I want to laugh not be lectured . I wrote him but I doubt he'll read it so I'm writing you.

Thanks for not "lecturing" us dumb asses out there.

Andy

I hear ya, Andy, you make very good points.

I am the #1 dumb ass smart ass . I still like Bartcop, he and Buzzflash were the first "major" sites to post my toons. We Democrats need all the friends we can get -- plus I don't know one person on this earth that I agree with on everything.

Comment

"Osama bin Landen and Musab al Zarqawi cannot represent the future of Islam." --from Donald Rumsfeld's new "War on Terror Briefing Book," which misspells Osama bin Laden's name

"This is a terrible controversy. According to a new report, $1.4 billion of FEMA money for Hurricane Katrina victims was used to buy alcohol, vacations and pornography. Even worse, some of it was wasted." --Conan O'Brien

"Anybody here from New Zealand? They have a big, new attraction. It's a live sex show in New Zealand. They have actual bulls mounting a simulated cow. Good to see Ann Coulter getting some work." --David Letterman

To his chagrin, President Bush creates the largest Marine Sanctuary believing it's in honor of the Marine Corps. -- Grant Gerver