We've Been Betrayed...

Last November we voted the Democrats in position because they promised us the reward of working in our interests. Slaps head...we could have had a V-8! I think the reality is that we really in the end knew this would happen. Oh...we didn't want it to...hoped it wouldn't...despite our honest efforts to prevent it. Our situation with the leadership that we have is just a pus filled sore waiting to split open and dump its contents onto an unsuspecting multitude of good honest folk. We actually believed our leaders and trusted them to do right by us...for one, they said that they would. I'm cynical just about all the time...and even I bought into it...because I desperately wanted someone to genuinely care.

We've needed someone to care about 'we the people' for 6 years now and counting. I feel I've pathetically had unrealistic hopes of a better world, better America...better everything because I want it desperately for all of us. I'm not a selfish person...I'm willing to share the good times, the inevitable ups...the downs...the highs...the lows...it's second nature to us now...like breathing out and breathing in...we've grown accustomed to our life. (thank you My Fair Lady!) Yet we don't want out way of life at the expense of innocents dying in Iraq. I can no longer face the TV scenes when a car bomb has gone off and you hear the inevitable numbers of the tolling of the dead.

With so much going on we have to pause to take it all in...in smaller proportions to even begin to make sense (if there's any to be had that is!) The bottom line ~ if the Democrats do not vote down the blank check Iraq War supplemental bill they are proposing, they will be complicit in the war, and should expect to feel the consequences in monumental proportions. If you vote for it...you now own it! Russ Feingold said in March..."The realization is growing that the only way to stop this thing is to use our power." But, power is not always used for good...and I know you've read that in some fairy tales in your childhood somewhere.

Now here's a weird situation if I ever heard one. Some politicians are afraid to "take political ownership" of the war by using their power to end it. So, in the meantime as they focus on their particular brand of politics...while people are dying...it becomes clear that Feingold is right. "If the Democrats don't use their power, when we're in the majority in both houses, we're going to start owning this war." Russ Feingold who seems a man of integrity swimming in a pool of sharks also said, “It is George Bush’s war, but if we don’t get serious we’re going to start owning this war.” This is a critical point that many politicians are seemingly forgetting right now. The president may have started the war, and may own it politically, but he was also elected in 2004 just the same...or even in spite of it.

So this brings us to an uncomfortable realization about his being elected...he was elected on honest pretenses as pertaining to the war technically. The Democrats on the other hand...were put into office with a great deal of grassroots effort in 2006...drum roll...because they promised to end the war. So...by their betrayal (that's what it is to me) they've just turned around and become complicit in the very war they promised to stop...which by definition gives them a bigger chunk of ownership of the war than our Fearless Decider...because (and hang in here with me) they have broken their word to "us" and our country. Pure and simple.

A lot of people are bystanders walking way round this issue and say they do not have the ability to stop the war...which of course makes them innocent mostly in their own hearts and minds...but we know the truth about the shape of their spines. November was a heady time of joy and elation that lasted several days. We thought we'd gotten our country back and would soon get it moving toward a better understanding of what the American people wanted and needed. And some of what we wanted and needed was to get out of Iraq and leave those poor people and their families alone. They'd endured enough destruction and death to last a lifetime. And we knew we'd spend a lifetime making it up to them if given the chance. But...Nancy Pelosi said she would vote against the blank check bill...but she won't use her power to actually stop the bill from moving forward. Does that sound like a person with no power?

I've said this myself...and many lawmakers say it also...that the war is Bush's responsibility...not mine...not theirs...he must develop a plan to end the war. But it certainly doesn't mean our lawmakers don't have many ways at their disposal to force him to develop a plan. Through timelines tied to funding is a good example. If our Congress had the guts to brandish its Constitutional power of the purse strings and cut off funding by a certain date...it should force Bush and his so-called military commanders to furnish a much needed redeployment plan.

I guess that is whistling in the wind for what that's worth. But we can hope...there's always that. But I don't see the future as a bright presence any time soon. I think we have far more hurdles to jump before we land on good solid ground with this situation. It would be so wonderful for the Dub to wake up one morning...smell the fragrance of the flowers blooming outside of his bedroom...and turn to Laura and say..."you know Pickles...this war has gone on long enough, and too many people have died over it. It's time we brought our people home." She'd sit up and look at him...reach for her glasses...and say..."Who are you and how did you get in here?"

Comments

[sbgypsy]

I totally hear you, I also feel betrayed, and mourn each new death.

...and here's the however:

If it was easy, we'd have it done already.

I think that the extent of Bushco's damage to our government is so horrific that it will be very hard to fix. If we even get through the next five years with our republic intact it will be a miracle. Are you trusting the dems so much that with the presidency, and majorities in both houses, you think they will resist the urge to power and resist cashing in?

I'm not, but... who else have we got? We have to keep pounding them, keep the calls and emails flowing.

*Rahm Emanuel needs to go. I think we should shine the spotlight on that sucker come election time.*

.Can't. Give. UP.

[The Fat Lady Sings]

Bravo, Sumo! My sentiments exactly. I am so damn mad I don't know where to turn. What do we do now? Whom do we vote for in the upcoming election? The Republicans are still lining up behind Bush like lemmings - and the Democrats dissolved like sand castles in a high tide. I am thoroughly disgusted. Believe you me - I will be watching closely to see which of the Presidential contenders votes for this piece of garbage. Those who do can kiss my vote goodbye!

[sumo]

Exactly! I hope they feel they've been put on notice...because I certainly will vote accordingly. Keith Olbermann certainly hit the nail on the head with his heartfelt speech last night. If you guys perhaps missed it..go find the transcripts at C&L...you won't regret it.

[The CultureGhost]

This comes as no surprise to me (hey, it's not easy being as cynical as I am...it's work). While everyone was trumpeting the Arrival of The Democratic Congress, I dabbled with PhotoShop CS2-I had serious doubts and reservations about this group of Democrats and...the story is unfolding now.

Have you considered third parties?

[JimmyDean'sFuckedUpCousinClyde]

Dmeocratic Presidential candidate Mike Gravel said it simplest and best:
"The military/industrial/complex not only controls our government lock, stock and barrel but it also controls our culture."

I remember a phrase I heard countless times when I was growing up: "Kill a Commie for Christ today" which pretty much sums up the prevailing attitude in this country now. Replace 'Commie' with 'Islamofascist,' 'Kill' with 'Neutralize' and 'Democracy' for 'Christ' (keep Christ as subtext) and you've got the prescription for what cures all of America's ailments today.

Our advocacy of violence for conflict resolution goes unchallenged at the highest levels of government and the sheeple believe every word of the sermon heartfeltly.

It's sickening.
We're poisoning the world's children and feelinng smug about it.

[JimmyDean'sFuckedUpCousinClyde]

Dem Presidential candidate Mike Gravel said it best:
"The militaryindustrial complex controls this government lock stock and barrel and also controls our culture."

I remember a phrase I heard for years:
"Kill a Commie for Christ today."

Replace 'Commie' with 'Islamofascist', 'Kill' with 'Neutralize', and 'Christ' with 'Democracy' (Keep Christ as subtext) and you've got the prescription for what cures all of America's ailments today.

Our advocacy of violence for conflict resolution is going unchallenged at the highest levels of government and the bulk of the sheeple are believing the official sermon heartfeltly.

We are poisoning the world's children by preaching against violence and acting violently.
The message is clear --- whoever wields the guns has the power.
It's sickening.