Sunday, January 29, 2006
Just Shut Up And Look Outraged
I am a progressive. I know, in the early days of this blog, I talked about possibly being a centrist. Forget that. I'm still evenhanded; I know what bullshit smells like, whether it comes from the left or the right. But I know now that I am a progressive. I believe in choice for women, full equality for gays and lesbians, free speech, the right to privacy, fiscal responsibility, and, above all else, taking responsibility for fucking up.
Unfortunately, that's not what a good chunk of the modern Democrats want. Some modern Democrats, like Tim Kaine, want to fuck over gay people by saying they'll sign a marriage amendment when it reaches their desk while bitching to their queer constituency about the language of it. Others, like Hillary Clinton, will latch onto the latest "turn off your brain, and let us do the thinking" issue, like violence in video games, in an effort to curry favor with scared soccer moms who can't take two seconds to check the box for an M rating. And then there's people like Robert Byrd, who, went faced with a favorite Supreme Court nominee by a president who has shat upon the Fourth Amendment and who has a record of decisions that could be considered circumspect at the very least, says, "Sure, why not?"
And you want to know what they think about us? Listen to the words of Steve Elmendorf, Democratic advisor:
"The bloggers and online donors represent an important resource for the party, but they are not representative of the majority you need to win elections," said Steve Elmendorf, a Democratic lobbyist who advised Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign. "The trick will be to harness their energy and their money without looking like you are a captive of the activist left."
See that? We're not voters. We're not participants. We're not their constituency. In the eyes of people like Elmendorf, we're fucking circus animals. Claw at the bars, roar nice and loud, get a few more dollars for the ringleader. Doesn't matter that he whips you or starves you when the crowds go away.
To Elmendorf and other like-minded Dems: Fuck you. We're tired of being treated like politics is a choice between a savage beating and being raped with a steak knife. You want our vote, our cash, and our devotion? Then earn it.
Unfortunately, that's not what a good chunk of the modern Democrats want. Some modern Democrats, like Tim Kaine, want to fuck over gay people by saying they'll sign a marriage amendment when it reaches their desk while bitching to their queer constituency about the language of it. Others, like Hillary Clinton, will latch onto the latest "turn off your brain, and let us do the thinking" issue, like violence in video games, in an effort to curry favor with scared soccer moms who can't take two seconds to check the box for an M rating. And then there's people like Robert Byrd, who, went faced with a favorite Supreme Court nominee by a president who has shat upon the Fourth Amendment and who has a record of decisions that could be considered circumspect at the very least, says, "Sure, why not?"
And you want to know what they think about us? Listen to the words of Steve Elmendorf, Democratic advisor:
"The bloggers and online donors represent an important resource for the party, but they are not representative of the majority you need to win elections," said Steve Elmendorf, a Democratic lobbyist who advised Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign. "The trick will be to harness their energy and their money without looking like you are a captive of the activist left."
See that? We're not voters. We're not participants. We're not their constituency. In the eyes of people like Elmendorf, we're fucking circus animals. Claw at the bars, roar nice and loud, get a few more dollars for the ringleader. Doesn't matter that he whips you or starves you when the crowds go away.
To Elmendorf and other like-minded Dems: Fuck you. We're tired of being treated like politics is a choice between a savage beating and being raped with a steak knife. You want our vote, our cash, and our devotion? Then earn it.
