This is my final diary here at Daily Kos. I leave Democrats with these words of warning. I hope they find fertile soil although I have my doubts. But if you don’t try, you can’t succeed, so here goes.
I have been a Democratic voter for over 40 years. I wasn’t raised a Democrat. My father was an active Republican. I became a Democrat because I understood that the Republican Party was the party of the rich, for the rich and by the rich. I understood that the Republican Party wasn’t interested in poor people. I understood that while the Republican Party represented itself to be about less government, it was really less government for BIG Business. (Please notice the emphasis on BIG) I knew these things because I was raised amidst Republicans like the Bush family at a time when oil was BIG Business. My father was also a Republican in the oil business in Texas and my family hosted many dinner parties that were really just a means to raise money for drilling new wells and/or political candidates.
I became a Democratic voter even though I consider myself a liberal independent because I believed that the Democratic Party represented ALL of the people of this country. Growing up, it was obvious to me that the GOP did not, from some of the conversations I overhead throughout the years. I also understood that since I wasn’t rich, the only power I had to stand up for what I believe is right, was through the power of my vote. I have not missed voting over 40 years.
But I always believed that there was a difference in the parties. And I believed that those parties listened to their base even though I saw more and more people not participating in the foundation of what makes our country work, voting. So I set out for a lifetime to understand why people are so turned off to what’s happening in our country and what it takes to get these people’s attention as well as their participation hence my nickname, pollchecker.
Recently the results of a study came out that showed that 53% of Americans don’t believe that Washington DC has anything to do with them. These people honestly believe that it doesn’t matter if they vote because they will be no change irregardless of the fact. These people believe that the politicians don’t give a damn about them and their families. For years I disagreed with them, but today no more.
Because it’s true. And it’s not coincidental that 53% Americans believe that and 53% of eligible voters don’t vote. Even more today, 2014, Republicans care even less about America and even more about BIG money. But sadly to say, it appears that Democrats are no better. One could argue it’s not their fault. After all, it takes money to run a campaign that has a chance to win. But I was raised on a fundamental principle from the Bible ironically…..”Actions speak louder than Words”. And Democratic actions since taking back the White House have been pathetic. It’s really no wonder they have continually suffered losses since taking back the WH in 2008.
Ok, so I understand that the GOP’s plan has been to “Just say NO” to anything and everything the POTUS and Democrats wants to achieve. I understand that they have successfully delayed what they couldn’t say no to and then successfully held up implementation through whatever means necessary irregardless of whether or not it is good for our country.
But the truth is that the ACA is a lousy bill, hence years of drama. Now, before you flame me, I’m not against the concept behind the ACA. But the truth is still the truth irregardless of whether you want to believe it or not. And it was the GOP’s intent to make it a lousy bill since they didn’t have the numbers to stop its passage so they could challenge it at a later date.
POTUS Obama and the Democrats were warned by many people against passing a bad bill. They were warned that a bad bill would be worse than no bill at all from a political point of view. I myself blogged here over 4 years ago, that passage of a lousy health care bill would result in a large percentage of Democratic voters STAYING HOME in November 2010 and could result in Democrats losing control of Congress. What did we get? ACA, which has a mandatory option and no public option, even though POTUS Obama campaigned FOR a public option and against mandatory option in 2008. Look, I’m not going to rehash ACA here (although I’m almost certain there are those of you out there who would love to divert my diary to something it is not about) but its passage did piss off a lot of 2008 Democratic voters who as predicted stayed home in 2010 and gave the crazy tea baggers a presence in Congress which has had disastrous results.
4 Years later, the Democrats face a real and serious threat to lose control of the Senate. POTUS Obama’s popularity is down again. And the Democrats look to have no REAL STRATEGY to defeat the GOP machine except to paint them as obstructionists. Unfortunately, this strategy most likely will fail.
Let me explain why. It goes back to that 53% who don’t believe there is a difference. You see, a HUGE majority of the 53% are potential Democratic voters. But the Democratic Party has either decided that a) no amount of money will persuade these people to vote so they should just be ignored or b) they just don’t know how to motivate these voters.
The GOP’s voter success depends on turning out their crazy base and they know exactly how to do that. They do it with the things that motivate people in every situation……FEAR AND ANGER! One principle that I have found to be true in every situation of life including politics is that when people get angry, people get involved. If you want to motivate someone to do something, get them all riled up and you will have their full support.
So GOP successfully, got people all riled up against ACA. So much so, that some people have opted out of ACA and are still without insurance because they don’t think they can afford it.
But we need to turn our attention to the present dilemma we find ourselves in today. Is there a single issue that could rile up Democratic voters in 2014 to get them to participate? Is there an issue the Democrats could embrace that would turn the tide? The good news is the answer to that question is YES! The Bad news is that Democrats, especially in DC, don’t want to hear it.
Before we talk about what will work, let’s talk about what won’t work. People are not motivated to vote by hope. Keep in mind, I am talking specifically about what feelings will motivate people who normally do not participate or pay attention, to actually get up and participate and pay attention. Most of these non-voters are very pessimistic about our government. Hope does not motivate them. If they want to be motivated by hope, they go to church and hear a sermon.
What does work? Anger works. In 2010, people were angry the POTUS didn’t keep his promises even though he promised to be different so they either stayed home or they voted GOP. And real anger is again brewing in America in 2014. Now Democrats can either use that anger to their advantage or they can continue to ignore the anger and let the GOP capitalize on it (which they are good at.)
What are people angry about? They are angry that the government is not listening to them on issues. Issues like marijuana for example. MARIJUANA IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE IN EVERY ELECTION FROM NOW UNTIL IT IS REMOVED OFF THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE LIST.
Over 70% of the country supports legalizing marijuana but politicians do not listen. Democrats appear to be ball less on this issue. In fact, there are some prominent Democrats that sound more like Republicans on this issue. Just listen to Obama’s APPOINTED DEA chief argue AGAINST sentencing reform for drugs. The DEA and anti-pot people use the same old FALSE arguments to support going against the will of the people and once again impose the WILL OF THE FEW UPON THE MANY. The same arguments that were used in the 30’s about the repeal of prohibition are being used now against removing pot from the controlled substance list. LOOK, the legalization of alcohol has not been the decline of our country like was predicted in the 30’s and the legalization of marijuana will not be the decline of our country today.
Now, the Democrats can take control of this issue or leave it to the Republicans. Please realize that the GOP fully comprehends that this issue could be their downfall. This is why they are talking about some form of legalization even in the REDDEST states like Alabama and swing states like Florida. This is why potential Lt. Governor Republican candidates are debating it in primaries in states like Texas. The GOP wants to act to take this issue away from the Democrats because they understand the growing ANGER in this country about marijuana laws. They understand that not to act could be their demise from power, their fall from grace. But for some reasons, the Democratic Party doesn’t get it. Oh, there are handfuls that do, like the Lt. Governor of California, but the leadership of the Democratic party acts more Nixonian about Pot laws than some of the more conservative GOP members. Stupid is as stupid does I guess.
But the amount of money that is being left on the table in the form of additional federal revenue is staggering. In the past, people have argued that the amount of money that has been predicted could be raised is grossly overexagerated. I’ve been accused by some here as well of that. But these people should be watching the tax revenue POURING into Colorado in just a short period of time. This is the tip of the iceberg.
Why? Because people like myself are going to move to Colorado. That’s right. The house is up for sale, I’m firing all the employees, relocating everything to Colorado; my business, my jobs, my sales tax $$, my property tax $$, everything. I’m leaving my red state home of 60 years for one simple reason. I WANT TO BE FREE! After all, isn’t that what America is about? Freedom? Isn’t that what hundreds of thousands of Americans have given their lives for, for over 200 years? Quite frankly, I’m tired of being treated like a criminal because I smoke pot. I’m tired of being referred to as a stoner by people that don’t really know anything more than the propaganda they have been raised on about pot. I’m not going to take it anymore. So I will leave the state I have lived in for 60 years, and move to Colorado. I’m going to spend all my resources working for freedom in a place where I feel safer than most. (I understand that the Federales can still come after me but at least I don’t have to worry about some redneck conservative state trooper locking me up for trace amounts of pot in my car. Not that that has ever happened but where I live it could. ) But understand this! There are many more people like myself with the means to move and make a lifestyle change for FREEDOM! No, I am not just speaking as one person.
So listen up Democratic party because from now on, I’m going to work with WHOEVER WILL SUPPORT GETTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OUT OF MY HOME AND MY BODY and vote to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substance List. I don’t care if they are Democrats or Republicans anymore. I don’t even care if they are crazy tea baggers either. I will work with WHOMEVER and give money to WHOMEVER and VOTE FOR WHOMEVER is willing to lead on this issue, in order to accomplish the goal of being free from a government who thinks it is my best interest to be incarcerated for something that is not DANGEROUS.
And don’t think it’s going to be enough to reclassify it at a lower level like level 2. It has been proven that pot is less harmful than alcohol, cigarettes, hell even OTC cold products, but you want to put people in jail over it. RECLASSIFICATION IS BS, AND PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE! We’re just not. We’re ANGRY! REMEMBER, ANGRY PEOPLE GIVE MONEY AND ANGRY PEOPLE VOTE.
Democrats are ALWAYS criticizing Republicans for not believing in Science, climate change, evolution, things proven scientifically. But Democrats don’t want to accept proven science about pot. They choose to believe DEA propaganda over truth which makes them just as bad as the GOP. No wonder the majority of people don’t believe in our system of Government anymore!
Now I understand that right here, right now, I am only one voice. But the tide is turning. Just like the tide turned with gay marriage, just like the tide turned against the Iraqi invasion, etc. etc. So if you want to win an election, you are either going to ride the tidal wave to victory or you are going to be crushed beneath its power. But you can’t stop a force of nature.
Even the media can’t stop it and they are just as culpable. If I hear another millennial talking about the pros and cons of marijuana, I’m going to throw up. How about letting someone who has 40 years’ experience smoking pot every day talk for a change? Why? Because they are TERRIFIED that this person would be seen as just a normal, reputable person of character instead of a lazy, fat stoner character.
This wave is so powerful that even a Republican like, for instance, Rand Paul could conceivably use it to gain the GOP nomination for POTUS in 2016. If Rand Paul could lead the GOP party to remove pot from the controlled substance list, same as his father proposed in a bipartisan bill he filed in Congress the last years before he left, Rand Paul could not only win the nomination but he could win the election even against the likes of Hillary Clinton. Why? Because, people like myself no longer care what you call yourself. I love Hillary. But at this point, I will support WHOEVER has the backbone to stand up and take on the cause of FREEDOM that we Americans love to talk about! So if Rand Paul is pro pot and Hillary is against, Rand Paul will get my money and my vote and to hell with the consequences.
And there are millions of people JUST LIKE ME! We ALL will be damned if we are going to let ANYONE cut entitlements that we’ve worked all our lives for until and unless politicians address the huge and vast amount of money on the table in marijuana tax revenue. We don’t care what you have done in the past. We don’t care what you will do in the future as long as you support removing pot from the controlled substance list. We’re angry and tired of being called criminals when there are a lot worse things on our streets today that need to be addressed.
My money, my votes, my energy, everything I have before I retire will go towards the cause of being Free. Because that’s what America is SUPPOSE TO BE ABOUT. FREEDOM! When people get angry about the government taking away their freedom, all kinds of things can and usually do happen. IT’S CALLED A REVOLUTION! Oh maybe not a revolution like a war with guns. But a Revolution to bring down the status quo no matter what the cost!
Marijuana Reform WILL HAPPEN. It’s no longer a matter of IF; it’s a matter of WHEN! If you want to win an election, you get on the right side of a highly funded, emotionally driven issue that is about the primary principle of our country - freedom. Or you can lose the election through inaction which at this point in time is what’s probably going to happen unless someone in the Democratic Party besides the WH can step up and lead on this issue.
I almost hope that POTUS Obama gets stuck with the GOP Congress and Senate his last two years. His lack of actions on this issue, even though the both the state of Illinois and Hawaii has/is taking steps towards legalizing pot, are INEXCUSABLE especially since he KNOWS FIRST HAND that pot is not dangerous.
Perhaps it would help if POTUS Bush admitted it as well as POTUS Clinton. None of these men would be POTUS if they had been busted for pot. So is the message really, “It’s only a crime if you get caught!?” If so, then POTUS Obama is a BIGGER HYPOCRITE THAN GEORGE W BUSH! Oh, BTW, Jeb Bush smoked pot too! Remember, who I grew up with?