How many DKos members have been affected by gun violence personally?

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday October 03, 2017 · 10:36 AM PDT

2017/10/03 · 10:36

This will be a quick diary and survey. I was hoping to see how many people here have been personally affected by gun violence, or know somebody else affected by gun violence. My theory is that we’re getting to a point in this country where it is becoming harder to find people who haven’t been affected by it.

So if you could answer the poll, I’d appreciate that. If you want to add a comment below, please do! Maybe we can offer a group here to support one another. I know every time a mass shooting happens, it triggers me real bad. So hoping to see who else is out there that feels the same, or even not but wants to offer support.

[UPDATE: I realize the poll isn’t as inclusive as I thought and I can’t seem to edit it at this point. Please answer it as you see appropriate, considering situations where you may not have been injured, but you have been affected by guns. Thanks for all the comments so far]

Poll

43 votes Show Results

Have you been affected by gun violence in your lifetime?

43 votes Vote Now!

Have you been affected by gun violence in your lifetime?

Yes, I know someone murdered by gun violence.

9 votes

Yes, I know someone who committed suicide with a gun.

9 votes

Yes, I know someone injured/wounded by gun violence.

3 votes

Yes, I know multiple people injured, wounded, or affected by gun violence.

5 votes

Yes, I have been personally injured/wounded by gun violence.

2 votes

Yes, I have been affected by gun violence without physical harm.

8 votes

No, neither myself or someone I know have been affected by gun violence.

7 votes

Wait A Second - You're Against Single Payer Because...?

NetminderElite

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday March 28, 2017 · 9:29 AM PDT

2017/03/28 · 09:29

Because it is being proposed by somebody who wasn’t on “your team” in Bernie Sanders?

Because you got health care under the ACA but are afraid of losing health care under single payer?

Because progress of getting health care for the 20 million Americans without it needs to happen “slowly” and “incrementally”?

Because we still need to figure out how to do what every other developed and many under developed nations have already figured out?

Because its “not politically feasible”?

Because we “don’t have the votes”?

Because its “not a winning strategy”?

Really??

I wonder, do you think any of the 20 million uninsured Americans care about any of those reasons? Do you think that any of these reasons connect with 20 million Americans who are one health problem away from being broke? From losing their house? Who have to decide between seeking medical care or feeding their family?

Lets be clear, that the GOP would have us all sick and dead if it meant more money for their corporate donors and their own job security. But lets not stop and pat ourselves on the back for the ACA accomplishments while millions of Americans, both uninsured and insured, need serious help when it comes to health care.

I grow weary of hearing excuses from the left about why Medicare for all and single payer health care won’t work. I think 20 million Americans are also tired of it as well.

And we wonder why Democrats keep losing elections, and losing bad.

EDIT:

Correction from the comments. There are 28.5 million uninsured Americans in the United States.

Criticizing Sex and Kinks isn't Liberal or Progressive

NetminderElite

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday January 11, 2017 · 2:46 PM PST

2017/01/11 · 14:46

This will be brief. I am so tired of the double standard and hypocrisy that I’ve been seeing with the shaming of sex and sex workers here. I have a strong disgust and distaste for Drumpf, but not for his sexual proclivities or kinks. But here, I find them being labeled “gross”, “perverted”, “disgusting” and a number of other things. These are made to be the front page news, recommended list, and its the least important thing to worry about.

His sexual acts aren’t a reflection of his character (unless the sex workers were underage, and that’s a whole different story). We have bigger things to worry about in resisting Drumpf. His sexual proclivities and kinks aren’t the problem. His being a sexual predator and grabbing pussy is the problem. Him deciding he likes to get peed on isn’t the problem. Him walking into underage dressing rooms without consent is a problem.

If it’s not acceptable or moral for the right to pass judgement on what we as consenting adults do in the bedroom, I refuse to accept it from the left. It goes completely against being liberal or progressive.

NetminderElite

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday August 07, 2016 · 5:43 PM PDT

2016/08/07 · 17:43

The mainstream media seems to have forgotten these guys.

Lets take a little field trip. Take yourself back to the beginning of 2009. A new president has been elected, the country has shown its ready for a change, and not only that but it wants unity under a liberal leaning president and party. After eight years of debunked disastrous economic, domestic, and foreign policy under George Bush, Republicans decided that they would need to go through a re-branding. Rather than reflect on their mistakes, adapt and grow to more accurately reflect a changing America, they just doubled down!

The Republican party re-branded and explicitly become the party for angry white America...the Tea Party! A place for "disaffected" Republicans and those angry that a black man had become president. It was really nothing other than the Republican base with a different name, but sponsored by Fox News and the Koch Brothers. Remember on April 15, 2009 (the first year of the Obama presidency) Fox News and Sean Hannity were hosting Fox News sponsored Tea Party rallies. Even Megyn Kelly (apparent new liberal darling because of Drumpf?) has admitted that her network guided these "meetings" and "rallies" to make it appear that it was grassroots.

These Tea Party rallies and meetings were nothing more than angry white Republicans that were still in shock that John McCain had lost. They were still in disbelief that their savior George Bush had been such a disaster. The "movement" was just the Republican base given a clever new disguise of "Look! New voters engaged in the system and frustrated with taxes and states rights!" Hmmmm, where in American History have we heard the states rights argument before? And here I thought the confederacy lost the Civil War…

So really, there was no Tea Party. It wasn't some new grassroots movement. It was just the Republican base and the media ate it up, because it gave the media a free pass for enabling the previous eight years of war criminals and lies. Suddenly, eight years of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, and Powell didn't exist and instead the GOP got a free pass to unleash their hatred on the communist, Muslim, Kenyan usurper Barack Hussein Obama. George Bush could quietly go back to Texas to paint cats and shower self-portraits. And Republicans wouldn't have to admit not only that their party was broken, but their voters were responsible for the mess.

Why is this relevant? It's happening again! As the Republican party continues to collapse around Donald Drumpf, the excuses are beginning. We've heard throughout the election "Drumpf isn't a Republican" or "He's more Democratic than Republican" or "He's just a fraud! He's not conservative." Consider Joe Scarborough's reaction, even though he was thoroughly caught red handed schlubbing it up with Drumpf by Harry Shearer. They're trying to re-brand already, three months before they lose the election! They have to re-brand because they can't admit they're a broken party.

Already it's happening, and this time its called "Drumpf-ism". It's happening here, here, here, here, and here. Conservative outlets like Fox News and National Review are starting to call it Drumpf-ism and are avoiding using the "R" word when describing Drumpf. They think if they say Drumpf-ism enough, people will forget that he's a Republican. They're convinced we'll forget that he won the Republican primary for president by appealing to the most basis animal instincts of pride and fear. And it's not much better than the fundamentalist religious nut that came in second place, Ted Cruz. (Cruz-ism?)

“At least you guy’s didn’t get Cruz!” — Drumpf

The current Republican party needs to go away. Anyone who still calls themselves a Republican and refuses to un-endorse Drumpf is essentially just as bad as him. Any voters who still vote Republican either love Drumpf or refuse to admit that they as voters are dead to their own party. They refuse to admit that there is a sane party that is doing its best to represent the people, despite its flaws (and corporate connection, ugh). They refuse to admit that there's a place for them, the Democratic party, a party that is inclusive and open to everybody, especially those conservatives that have become disaffected by their party and politicians.

Don't let people get away with the lie. This isn't "Drumpf-ism". This is modern Republican-ism at its best. This is what modern conservatism has evolved into. Drumpf is peak of their modern party, he is the monster that Frankenstein created, and the GOP has nobody to blame but themselves. Don't let anybody get away with the lie that Drumpf isn't a Republican. The GOP doesn't get the chance to "rebrand" again. Either admit how fucked up they've been, or run away into the dustbin of history and let the sane people run this country.

Here's a prediction, when Hillary wins in November (and big), the media will try their hardest to try and spin how she "Doesn't really have a mandate" and "Well, she really only beat Drumpf" and "He wasn't a real Republican, they don't have to change." We'll see calls for the Republican party to become more conservative, more pure, and they won't change a bit. Meanwhile, Democrats, liberals, and progressives will continue to be called every name under the book and blocked at every corner.

Meanwhile, as liberals and progressives, lets not forget that after this election, Drumpf isn't going away. He'll still be around, spewing his nonsense like he did with Obama's birth certificate. He won't be going away and the people supporting him won't be going anywhere either. The least we can do is make sure they have to have a big, red, R on their fronts. They don't get to call themselves "Drumpf-ers". They're Republicans, period.

Huge hat tip to The Professional Left Podcast. If you haven't heard of them or listened to their podcast, Driftglass and Bluegal are two of my politics "professors" and I never miss a class of theirs every week.

And Now For Something Completely Different...

NetminderElite

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday May 12, 2016 · 8:23 PM PDT

2016/05/12 · 20:23

I need a little break from politics and a whole load of personal shit going on, and thought I’d do it here!

When you need some comfort food or want to eat your emotions, what do you like to cook for yourself? I eat my emotions, a bad habit I have… BUT I do love comfort food. For me, I like to make my homemade Chicken Fried Steak.

Ohhhhh yea, this shit on the right, SO damn good. Nice thin piece of tenderized beef, coated in egg and seasoned flour, well fried (in lard of course), and smothered in white gravy. Not pictured is a salad on the side (have to have some fiber to help this meal go through my system).

So what about YOU?!? When it’s time to bury your emotions in a pile of calories, what do you cook for yourself? OR What do you like to eat that someone else makes?

Please share, PICTURES encouraged.

Need Some Legal Advice

NetminderElite

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday May 10, 2016 · 8:42 PM PDT

2016/05/10 · 20:42

Hi all. I’m reaching out to this community because you all are trusted to me. My family is in need of some legal help. We have a very ill family member that we need some legal advice on and I have no idea where to even start. I know how busy everybody is and any help, no matter how small, would be very appreciated. Thank you, normally wouldn’t do this but I can take any help I can get now.

If Trump or Cruz Had Said It...

NetminderElite

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday April 08, 2016 · 12:23 PM PDT

2016/04/08 · 12:23

I’ve been really frustrated with the inconsistency here. Yesterday Bill Clinton said some incredibly offensive and racist things. When challenged by BLM protesters, both him and his wife have gone into defensiveness, anger, and condescension. We saw the same thing when Ashley Williams challenged Hillary Clinton as well.

Now I want you to imagine if Ted Cruz or Donald Trump said what Bill Clinton said yesterday. This ENTIRE site would be in outrage and condemning it 100%. I can’t think of a single person here who would defend those types of comments if they came from the fascist Republican right.

So why does anyone defend the comments when Bill Clinton says them? Why is it ok to go after Republicans for saying incredibly racist things and then turn around and defend essentially the same actions on the left? Why is it ok to white-splain to people angry about this that his comments weren’t racist?

This is the often incredible inconsistency that frustrated me about the left. What kind of Democrats, liberals, and progressives are we? How can we call ourselves Democrats if we resort to tribalism and defend these sorts of comments because they come from our “camp”? I don’t think we can call ourselves liberals or progressives when we don’t defend and stand up with those among us that need it the most.

The activists of BLM and Occupy are brave and dare to challenge the status quo on both the right and the left. The difference between Republicans and Democrats is our willingness to be open minded and challenge authority versus marching lockstep in line with those in power. And we should be proud of that!

What Bill Clinton said yesterday was wrong. What he said was un-Democratic, dismissive of a group of our citizens, and unapologetic in its racism. What I would expect ANY Democrat to say is, “This is inappropriate, wrong at its core, and doesn’t belong in our party.”

If you’re a Hillary Clinton supporter, you should be adding “I will still vote for her and I support her, and she needs to get him to apologize or make an apology herself.”

It’s ok to have it both ways. You can support Hillary Clinton AND be against these sorts of comments and this sort of racism. Look, I’m a Bernie voter and will vote for her 100% if she wins the nomination. I can do that and call out this sort of bullshit. This doesn’t make me a purity troll.

I’m not surprised or upset by what he said. I’m more mad at how people within my Democratic, liberal, and progressive party are defending it in the name of tribalism. This isn’t what we’re supposed to be.

Just remember, if Cruz or Trump had said it, would any of us be ok with it?

Paul Ryan, I Don't Accept Your Apology

NetminderElite

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday March 31, 2016 · 7:37 PM PDT

2016/03/31 · 19:37

I’ll keep this brief. About a week ago, Paul Ryan gave a speech to a group of interns to basically bash Donald Trump. Included in the speech to make himself look like a “reasonable-conservative(TM)”, he dropped this little bombshell

There was a time that I would talk about a difference between "makers" and "takers" in our country, referring to people who accepted government benefits. But as I spent more time listening, and really learning the root causes of poverty, I realized something. I realized that I was wrong. "Takers" wasn't how to refer to a single mom stuck in a poverty trap, trying to take care of her family. Most people don't want to be dependent. And to label a whole group of Americans that way was wrong. I shouldn't castigate a large group of Americans just to make a point.

Now lets pretend this little stunning comment is happening in a bubble. Let’s imagine that he’s not saying this because he needs to look like a reasonable moderate come convention time. Let’s imagine he is not saying this in an effort to be the reluctant savior who wants to come swoop in and take the nomination.

Let’s imagine that he genuinely believes what he says. I will only accept his apology and give him a clean slate, another chance at my trust, or another chance at leadership if one of these two things come out of his mouth at the end of that paragraph.

(1) ”Therefore I am choosing to resign my position as congressman from Wisconsin. My comments, as wrong as they were, were damaging to a large portion of American citizens and how they are perceived. No apology on my part can give them their dignity back.”
OR…
(2) ”I recognize now that my newly aligned values and position more accurately align me with the Democratic party. I am officially switching parties effective immediately. I cannot continue to be a member in good conscience of the political party that castigates large numbers of American citizens.”

Until either one of those two things happen, I don’t believe a word out of Paul Ryan’s mouth. I won’t give him a second chance at my trust.

You can’t say things like that and still have the big R next to your name. Your party’s been wrong on everything for decades.

What Makes Hillary Clinton More Experienced?

NetminderElite

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday March 10, 2016 · 7:35 AM PST

2016/03/10 · 07:35

So one of the common themes I hear both here and from my friends who are supporting Hillary Clinton in the primary is that she’s more experienced and has a better record of accomplishing things i.e. “Getting-Things-Done” ™.

I am asking this genuinely, and not in a snarky way.

Why is this true/accurate?

Sanders “experience”

4 terms as mayor of Burlington (8 years)
8 terms in the House of Representatives (16 years)
2 terms (1 partial) in the Senate (10 years)

Clinton “experience”

12 years as Arkansas first lady
8 years as U.S. first lady
2 terms (1 partial) in the senate (8 years)
4 years as U.S. Secretary of State

So in terms of quantity of years, they have essentially the same amount of experience.

To me, that argument goes out the window.

...

A few questions that I think can lead the discussion (keep it clean, above the belt folks!). These also aren’t meant to be rhetorical questions, but they are clearly biased and trying to make a point.

(1) How are we defining “experience” to be able to make the original argument about Hillary?

(2) Do we count time as spouse of governor and president as “experience”?

(3) If we count time as first lady and first governor as her experience, can we then turn around and say, “We can’t hold her husbands legislative record against her”? (I think that’s a whole other diary)

(4) What do we count as accomplishments / getting things done? This is a big one for me. Do you automatically get credit for “accomplishing” things? Should it count if it supports poorly thought, just plain bad legislation?

(5) Where does the argument “Hillary will be able to get more done by ‘crossing-the-aisle’ come from? Is that something that we should be wanting as Democrats?

Discuss!! But be nice….. or I’ll bite…. and I haven’t been tested for rabies in a while.

This Election Isn't About Bernie OR Hillary

NetminderElite

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday March 07, 2016 · 9:33 PM PST

2016/03/07 · 21:33

Do you remember the above?

Remember how Wall St. and irresponsible executives and bankers looted our country? I do. Then remember how austerity was the way to go? When governors cut services to American citizens and claimed they had to do it in the name of the deficit God? That was some serious bullshit.

This election isn’t about Bernie or Hillary. It’s about fulfilling the ideals that this country is supposed to stand for. Bernie Sanders as one man can’t do that. Hillary Clinton can’t either. Even as President, they can’t do that alone. We have to be the voice that this country listens to, the voice that this country is afraid of.

Right now, the oligarchy respects the “All-American-Dollar (tm)” more than they respect the voice of the American citizen. They respect the voice of the 1% of Americans more than the 99%.

The system is flawed and needs to be restored to give American’s the possibility, the equitable chance, to succeed with hard work and devotion to a cause.

When the social contract of the citizens is fulfilled by the government, only then are we finally free.

Right now, the government fulfills their deal with their corporate overlords, not the citizens.

Right now, we are not free.

If Bernie Sanders is elected, how will we as Americans hold him accountable to his promises?

If Hillary Clinton is elected, how will we hold her accountable to the promises that she’s made during the primary season?

Hell, if Donald Trump or Ted Cruz become president, how will we hold them accountable to the dream, the promise of the American dream?

This isn’t about the big D or the big R after our candidate’s names. It’s about being citizens of the United States.

What is it that we demand and expect from our country?

We demand that the influence of corporations on our Democracy be eliminated.

We demand the institution of a socially responsible economic system.

We demand a more balanced distribution of income in America.

We demand better and more meaningful jobs.

We demand forgiveness of student loans.

We demand a fair, equitable, single payer health care system.

We demand a return to our foreclosed homes.

We demand an end to systematic racism and enforcing racial justice.

We demand an end to gender inequality.

We demand a government that allows a woman choice over her body decisions.

We demand an end to perpetual war.

We demand a free, independent, media.

We demand a radical change to the climate crisis.

And most importantly…

We DEMAND that the American dream be restored, that if you work hard and put your heart and soul into life, that you will be rewarded with success and security. This is regardless of race or gender, regardless of what zip code you were born into, what skin color you were born into, regardless or what god you worship or don’t, and especially regardless of what political party you identify. If you work hard, pay your taxes, and do no harm, the government will fulfill its promise. The government will fulfill its end of the bargain.

We are Americans. We see that our country is in dire straits. We have no choice but radical change. Any other outcome but radical change is death and despair. And no, this is not an exaggeration.

And if the politicians elected choose not to represent us, we will march in the streets to demand that they do.

We will march in the streets to demand the change that we deserve. This isn’t about Bernie, Hillary, Ted, or Donald. We will not be silenced.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement rally in Foley Square before marching though Lower Manhattan on October 5, 2011 in New York City. Hundreds of activists affiliated with the 'Occupy Wall Street' demonstrations have been living in a park in the Financial District near Wall Street. The activists have been gradually converging on the financial district over the past two weeks to rally against the influence of corporate money in politics among a host of other issues. Over 700 people were arrested last weekend on the Brooklyn Bridge after temporarily blocking traffic. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Seattle, Wa., November 24, 2014..About 100 people gathered at Westlake Park as the Ferguson, Mo. grand jury decision was announced then took to the streets in protest.

Susanne.Posel-Headline.News_.Official-ferguson.doj_.report.draft_.ineffective.pepper.sting_.balls_.violence.protesters_occupycorporatism.jpg

Are you willing to march? Are you willing to put yourself out there? Are you willing to defend OUR Democracy?

Am I Missing Something? re: Voter Turnout

NetminderElite

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday March 06, 2016 · 10:30 PM PST

2016/03/06 · 22:30

Simple question. I hear everything about record breaking turnout. Looking at the NYTimes election results page, looks like turnout in Maine was as follows:

Democrats: 3,470 votes (91% reporting)
Republicans: 18,627 votes (100% reporting)

This is a genuine question, not questioning anybody’s excitement or Bernie’s win tonight (I’m a yuuuuge Bernie supporter myself).

(1) If turnout was record tonight, was it more than we had in 2008?

(2) Why did we get so out-turned-out tonight by the Republicans?

(3) Should we be concerned, or is this typical / not a problem?

Discuss, I’m genuinely curious.

The Revolving-Door-Corporate-Media

NetminderElite

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday February 28, 2016 · 11:23 PM PST

2016/02/28 · 23:23

sS3JB3R.jpg.jpg — Rick Tyler, the guy that was too sleazy for Ted Cruz

I’m a little surprised that this story wasn’t discussed here.

Earlier this week, Ted Cruz attempted to dump the “liar” reputation given to him by Donald Trump onto his spokesman Rick Tyler, firing the staffer in a symbolic gesture of apology to the American people and a clear attempt at scapegoating…

Now, surprise of all surprises has come when Tyler told media on Friday that he had not been unemployed for long, finding a career in a place that should have been completely off-limits to a right-wing staffer of Tyler’s caliber. Rick Tyler, former Communications Director for the Evangelical Tea Party’s Ted Cruz Campaign has been brought on-board MSNBC as a contributor.

Wait, huh? I guess I’m not surprised, I just thought the corporate media would wait more than a week to hire him. Now they have another right wing corporate shill spreading lies, misinformation, and propaganda on the “liberal” news network.

This is the same guy that Ted Cruz, yes that guy, felt he had to fire for his dishonesty. Wait, my campaign trickery and dirty strategies aren’t working? Rick Tyler, you have to go. Oh but don’t worry, you’ll find a job.

F***. No wonder the establishment is freaking out. People are waking up to their scam. That’s exactly what it is they do, they scam us. And it’s not just Fox News. Fox News was just an easy target.

The best thing we can do to get the truth is to turn off the TV. Support your progressive, liberal media sources on television, radio, and internet instead. An informed citizenry is necessary for this democracy to succeed.

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