Democrats – We are Our Own Worst Enemy

When you’re always looking for someone to blame, it’s easy to sit back and judge.

Over the past few months I’ve sat back and watched Democrats systematically shit on the party that has been fighting for the rights of the people decade after decade after decade. OK so there was that slaves thing, but they eventually came around.

Without Democrats there would be no social security. Without Democrats there would be no Civil Rights or a now gutted Voting Rights Act. Without Democrats the two most serious economic meltdowns in the history of the country could have wiped the country out. Oh and without Democrats…a flawed but necessary healthcare bill, that has helped millions of people, would have never been passed. These are just a few of the hundreds of thousands of things Democrats have always been fighting for.

Somehow that’s no longer enough. At a time in this country when Republican State Houses are passing bills to discriminate against women, minorities, the LGBT community, the poor and middle class, some believe the party needs to be taken apart because it’s become a “part of the establishment.”

I can’t tell you how bloody tired I am of hearing that ridiculous phrase. Especially from people who only come around every 4-years to vote in Presidential elections.

Now I know they’re not all like that. Unlike many of them, I’m not ready to damn the whole movement just because I think it’s hip to do so.

But let’s have some real talk here. While many of you only bother to get hyped up every four years, Democrats continue to lose elections in the years you decide aren’t important enough. Statehouse after Statehouse is now run by Republicans. Two years after saving the country from an economic meltdown that cost thousands of people their jobs and their homes, Republicans took control of the US Congress because the country needing “saving.” These things don’t happen when Democrats vote. So when you’re looking for people to blame…you need to start by looking in the mirror.

We have two candidates that this party should be falling all over itself to nominate. Both candidates represent the values of the majority of the party…as their voting record in the senate reflects when they served together. But instead, many of you have decided that the “it” word of the year, “Progressive” is some new idea that usher in the immediate change this country needs.

As my good friend Mike would say, “thaaaat’s nice!” Democrats have been bringing to change to this country longer than many of you have been alive.

You want to bring about change….start by voting every year to make sure Democrats who support the issues you believe in, get elected. Stay involved in the “off years” and understand they’re just as important. The rest of you who don’t fall into that category, who are just “frustrated” with the system…do more to remind people to vote in off year elections. It’s not enough just to vote then complain, because despite all your efforts to tell the rest of us that electing one man…in this election is going to bring the magical change you seek, please get a grip on reality. It didn’t happen eight years ago when “hope” took the nation by storm, and THAT is why people are having a hard time drinking the kool-aid this time around.

Those of you Bernie supporters who plan to act like spoiled children who don’t get their way if he doesn’t win the nomination….don’t for one second think you’ll be sending any kind of message to the rest of us who fight day after damn day to to effect real change in this country. You seem to forget, government is about compromise. It always has and always will be. We’re never going to get everything we want because we’re a nation of varying views. This, by the way, is why people want to kill us! But this is what democracy looks like. It’s not perfect, and it only works when “the people” participate. Staying home out of spite this November will do NOTHING but prolong the problem you can’t stop complaining about, so good luck with that attitude.

I get the frustration. I’m just as frustrated. And I also understand that not all Democrats are good for the country or the party. But not voting blue in this election for either of our candidates is quite frankly, idiotic. As is wasting your vote on a candidate many people have never heard of…out of “principle.” “Principled voters” helped usher in the George W. Bush era, so keep that in mind as you sit and stew if Bernie doesn’t get the nomination.

Yes, money in Washington is a problem. But you want someone to blame, take your complaint to the Supreme Court. Stop blaming the DNC and Hillary for trying to keep up with Republicans who are masters at winning elections. And stop labeling everyone in Washington who meets with lobbyists as corrupt. Lobbyists serve a purpose. Many serve purposes we ALL benefit from.

As for this President, I will forever have my frustrations with him. But I will also appreciate all the good work he has achieved at a time in the Nation’s history when the Office of the President of the United States was treated as an afterthought. When the dust settles, Barack Obama will be talked about as one of the best Presidents in the history of this country. He could have and should have done so much more, but for what he has accomplished, history will be very kind to him.

I’m sorry many of you don’t see it that way, but please…stop shitting on the rest of us who respect the work he has accomplished on our behalf.