I should have seen this coming…again. I’ve been reading and following Daily Kos for years, mainly because I align with most of the liberal values espoused on this site. As the title says I’m not a Democrat rather a liberal Independent. I wasn’t always an Independent. I spent the first twenty years of my political life as a liberal Republican. I got serious about what my political beliefs were around the time of W. Bushes’ first term. When all was said and done I realized that Republicans had changed drastically somewhere along the way. I looked at the Democrats and decided that they didn’t really know where they were going and I couldn’t see where I would fit in.
Along came Senator Barack Obama. I really got excited about the possibilities that could happen with this man. He was fresh, sharp, articulate and charismatic as well as really connecting with the needs of the middle class. I was in all the way and have been his entire administration. Have I agreed with everything he’s done? No. Do I blame him for the things he hasn’t accomplished? No. Do I think he’s gotten a raw deal? Yes.
Governance doesn’t happen through one person. There is a group of people that should be working together to create the best path forward for the American people. That group consists of the Executive Branch (the President), Congress (the Senate and the House) and the Judicial Branch (the Supreme Court). Not all participants in these groups are going to agree with each other on all issues but they are contracted by the Constitution of the United States to reach a compromise that is reasonable to all parties. The Constitution created these entities to have balance in governance. Not a perfect system as we seen throughout our history. From time to time the balance in and one group can be dominated by one political party or the other. This is where we find ourselves today.
This is where I’m not sure if I belong here. I’m sure there are other Independents that enjoy following the diaries and articles here. I guess my dilemma is with the constant loss of spin, meek acceptance or non-acceptance of the accomplishments the Democratic party has made, the party’s quick to appease their opposition for little or no return and the defeatist attitude that always rears its ugly head when an election go afoul. Like any corporate giant that has a bad quarter, Democrats want to tear down the current foundation and go off in all new directions which in this case is nothing but a knee jerk reactions to the midterm elections. Do they need to evaluate what could have been done better? Sure. Are all the positive things that have been happening in the Democratic Party need to be scrapped and rebuilt? No. Democrats are still the party of the middle class, poor, minorities, women’s rights, immigration reform, ecology and all of the issues that make this a better country. The Republican Party still doesn’t come close to bringing these groups under their tent. It’s just not going to happen.
As an Independent I see things differently. Democrats need to stop running from the great things that this President has done for America, with their help, and own it. Why did the Democrats get pummeled in the midterm, because only 36% of American voters turn out to vote? That leaves 2/3 thirds of the voting public on the sidelines this past election. Why, because they see no reason to vote when there is no change in Washington. There was a small window when change could have happened during the first term of President Obama. Democrats squandered it pandering to the Republicans. Why? So they didn’t upset the status quo.
Now I see it coming again. Democrats are going to appease the Republicans to show that they are able to govern with them and get squat for their troubles. I hope the Democrats don’t bend over so much that they break what little backbone they have.
I’m going to continue following Daily Kos because it’s the best out there. I will also be looking for the next thing that will energize the 2/3 thirds of the non-voting American public so we get a true representation of the people. 36% is not a mandate nor is it a wave. It’s just pathetic.