I would like to suggest a new way to write diaries around DailyKos. I see lots of diaries ranting about this and that but I rarely see diaries that truly are action diaries.
We need to get out of the habit of shouting each other down and instead learn how to work the political system to get what we want out of our representatives.
Rule 1: Write what the problem is. Do it in a clear precise way with lots and lots of facts. Not what your favorite columnist said but actual facts.
For example: I dislike the current tax deal because by extending tax breaks for the top 2% of this country will expand the deficit by x%. Here are my sources...Economist 1, Economist 2
It would be great if we could actually link to the current bill being proposed. We can see what is currently being proposed and also see the exact language that is being presented.
Rule 2: Do we have the votes? I would like to see a breakdown of how our representatives will vote.
For example:
The proposal to extend tax cuts up to 250,000 failed in the Senate 53-36.
All republicans and 4 Democrats voted against the bill. In order to get to 60, we need to call x,x and x.
The proposal to extend tax cuts up to 1 million failed in the Senate by 53-37.
Please call x,x and x.
As side note, Don't be afraid of Republicans. We need to identify Republicans that are sympathetic and work on them. Just as the right constantly recruits Lieberman to help them defeat bills, we need to be able to pick off Republicans. A vote for a progressive cause is a vote, regardless of where it comes from.
Rule 3: Propose an alternative. Don't like the current bill. Write a better, more improved one. Just as the President can put forth bills, so could we. We could get together as a community and write bills that have our interest in mind.
We could then send these bills to receptive Representatives and have them formally submit them to Congress. Think about how powerful it would be to have bills written by the American people minus the influence of corporate interests.
Rule 4: Be realistic. This may make me unpopular but it has to do with Rule 2. We can only pass things with actual, real votes. A 90 tax rate on those making over a million may sound good on here but can you muster up the votes to pass that bill. Probably not.
Rule 5: True action diaries. I love the diaries that encourage people to call and write their Senators. We also need to be willing to get off our arse and engage in some political activism.
During the health care debate, the tea party was able to dominate the conversation because they got off their butts and went down and actually protested at town hall meetings.
If we started picketing Wall Street (and I mean a march of thousands for a week), we could also dominate news. It's one thing to bitch on the internet but another to actually get up and do something about it. (and yes, I realize the irony of writing a diary that admonishes other people for not getting up and protesting)
Rule 6: Call out our people when they don't live up to their potential. It was great that Senator Sanders filbustered the bill but where were all the Democrats. Think about how strong a statement it would have sent if all the Democrats had joined Sanders on the floor.
This is just a start. Please let me what you think.