November 10, 2004

What kind of Democrats do we want in Congress for the next four years? This is a make or break question. What I am hearing out of leading Dems so far is not encouraging. Some have been phoning their parents to ask what religion they were born into so they can show up at the right church next Sunday. Others can’t tear their eyes away from the pool of blood on the carpet in front of Tom Daschle’s desk. And Amazon.com boxes containing copies of “The Bible for Dummies,” have flooded the Democratic Party mailroom.

Just how does this defeated party plan to handle the now dominant Republicans? Well, they say nodding in unison, “we sure don’t want to be obstructionists,” as 200 nervous eyes try not to look at Daschel’s empty chair. Beyond that they have little to say.

The Dems are suffering a bad case of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. They look and sound like combat battalion back from a battle in which a third of their members were killed and another third wounded. They are a mess and not looking for another fight anytime soon.

This is not the loyal opposition the nation needs at this critical moment in our history. I want a party itching for a fight. I want representatives with cojones… huge cojones.. cojones so big they have to be wheeled in on a cart. Cojones with “Go ahead, make my day,” tattooed across them in blazing colors.

At this writing it does not look like we are going to get anything like that out of the surviving Dems.

What we have on our hands is this: Republicans are from Mars and Dems are from Venus. Dems feel the pain, the GOP inflicts it. If politics were a game of Roshambo the GOP always comes up scissors and the Dems always choose paper – recycled of course.

It’s easy to criticize, so enough of that. What should the Dems do? First learn. Learn that the “can’t we all just get along” style doesn’t work when the people on the other side believe “getting along” means “get along little doggies” as they herd them wholesale towards the nearest exit.

Republicans play “in your face” politics. “You may not agree with me,” Bush said during the campaign, “but you know where I stand.” In your face.

So, how about beginning the next Congressional term with some “in your face” moves from the Dems?

• - Don’t just tell, show. Those voters who fell for the GOP’s phony values spiel have not thought these issue through to their logical (where the rubber hits the road) conclusions. What’s so wrong with putting the Ten Commandments in a government building, they ask. What’s wrong with allowing a prayer before classes in public schools? It all seems so innocent, so proper. Why do liberals keep opposing them? What could go wrong? Okay, show them. Introduce bills that would allow any recognized religion to demand that they be represented when such craven image displays of faith are allowed by law. And, when prayer is allowed in pubic schools make sure they understand that means that Muslim students will have to be allowed to pray and bow towards Mecca several times during classes each day and that maybe even have their own opening day prayers that their sons and daughters will have to participate in. Put it.. in their faces.
  

• - Meanwhile, outside Congress progressive activists around the country should start showing up at local courthouses with large statues of Buddha, and some of the more exotic Hindu gods and try to put them in the lobby. I want to hear those who support such displays when they are Christian explain why these are just plain wrong. Such guerilla political efforts will make the evening news.. I guarantee it.. and what great opportunity to show those so-called Values Voters that freedom of religion means freedom for all religions – not just theirs. Pass a law that affects one religion and it affects all religions – unless of course they want to start favoring one over others. If so, then would be the time for them to admit that. Force the admission.. by getting right up in their face with it.
  

• - Abortion has been the GOP’s most effective wedge issue. So, what’s say we take it away from them once and for all. We do that by introducing legislation that would ban all abortions. This would flush out the hypocrites on the right who use this issue to get votes from the right while having no intention of ever delivering for them. It would also force a public discussion on just how we would go about enforcing such a ban. Arrest doctors? Arrest young girls and women? Arrest them all? Imagine those perp walks on the evening news every night. It will never happen because they know it would spell the end for the Right. If we finally call their bluff on abortion, exposing them for what they are, they will think twice before they drag that issue out in public again. They use it against us now only because they know the Dems don’t have the cojones to call their bluff… so call it. Right smack dab in their faces.

So Dems, whatsya gonna do? You gonna stand and fight or are you going to surrender and become Vichy Democrats?

Fifty million Americans await your decision.

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Quote of the Day

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."

H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)