It is hard to sit on the sidelines of a big game. You end up doing useless things like wishing so hard that the player up to bat will hit a home run and put your team on top. Some pray, "Please God, just let my team WIN for once!" Some turn their baseball caps inside out in the now familiar "rally cap." We need a win and we need it now! Not next year or when we rebuild, we need it now! Sports are like that. They inspire civic pride, identity, passion and unity. But win or lose..unless you are a player, owner or coach..it's not a life-altering event. You will carry on just as before by the next day.
The world of politics has much in common with sports. We have teams and favorite candidates, we identify and have a passion for certain issues and people. Many people strongly identify with team Democrat or Independent. It is an important part of their life and an important part of their value system. But, unlike sports, politics and elections ARE life-altering events. In the United States today the outcome of this "game" IS life and death to millions.
Too many Democrats and Independents sit on the sidelines in midterm elections. The excuses sound very "fair-weather fan." Many point to the fact that their favorite player only had a double when they wanted a home run. Some say that the team just isn't playing hard enough. The disappointment of not winning the World Series is just too hard for them to take. A pennant is not good enough. The satisfaction in getting really far into the playoffs falls too short for them. "It's not enough", they bellow.
What is at stake in the 2014 midterm elections is the very soul of this country. Too many people don't seem to understand their place in this democracy. They feel like bench-warmers, like they do not affect the outcome of the game. Or they behave as fair-weather fans, staying home, pulling their support from the team to express their displeasure at certain plays or calls they didn't agree with. Either of these behaviors is a forfeit..it is handing the whole game over to the other side.
How do we motivate each and every Democrat and Independent to step up to the plate for these midterms? The best way is to ask the questions: what do you personally have at stake if the GOP gains more seats in the House and Senate? and; what qualities do you want to see in the leadership of your country?
Consider the following..(from the GOP platform)
GOP ON GUNS:
Right to obtain and store ammunition without registration. (Aug 2012)
Open more public land to hunting. (Sep 2004)
No frivolous gun lawsuits, no gun licensing. (Sep 2004)
Will protect right to bear arms. (Aug 2000)
GOP ON HEALTH CARE:
Repeal ObamaCare; it is an attack on our Constitution. (Aug 2012)
ABC for AIDS: Abstinence, Be faithful, Change behavior. (Sep 2004)
Ethical research yes; embryo cells no; cloning no. (Sep 2004)
No assisted suicide. (Sep 2004)
Government-run universal health care leads to inefficiencies. (Sep 2004)
A reformed Medicare will give seniors choice, flexibility. (Aug 2000) (vouchers in the Ryan budget)
GOP ON CIVIL RIGHTS:
Constitutionally define marriage as one man & one woman. (Aug 2012)
2006: Federalize gay marriage via Constitutional Amendment. (Apr 2008)
The Patriot Act is used to track terrorist activity. (Sep 2004)
Homosexuality is incompatible with military service. (Sep 2004)
States should not recognize gay marriage from other states. (Sep 2004)
Affirmative Access, without preferences or set-asides. (Sep 2004)
Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriage. (Sep 2004)
Strong support for traditional definition of marriage. (Aug 2000)
Let Boy Scouts exercise free speech (ok to ban gays). (Aug 2000)
Women exempt from combat; “candid analysis” of military gays. (Aug 2000)
Is this the way you imagined your country would look in 2014? Is sitting out another election worth this future...Vouchers for Medicare, more attempts to repeal ACA, more people jailed, more war on women, more attacks on our students, our working families, our military and veterans, our seniors, minorities and immigrants. More decimation of our environment and public lands. More denial of science and inertia on climate and resource policy. No jobs policy, no infrastructure policy, no transportation policy. We are watching the privatization of America, the worship of the wealthy and corporate to the expense of the rest of us. Life and Death being played out for our fellow citizens while the republicans thrust theocracy and self-serving elitism down our throats.
Eight to Seventeen thousand will die each year due to red states refusing to expand Medicaid. Our students are piling up more and more debt as republicans work to cut loans and grants and completely privatize education financing so the banks can make a killing off their dreams. The only good expenditures according to them are tax cuts and defense spending. These examples are just the tip of the iceberg. There is more..much more more. Take the time to read everything at stake here...http://www.ontheissues.org/republican_party.htm
So, now is the time to ask yourself..what is your place in this Democracy. Are you going to be a fair-weather fan or a star player on a team with a winning strategy? Time to get those rally caps on and get in the game. No forfeit in 2014...Vote Blue..Let's win the World Series and rebuild for the future...the other team will show up to play...time to answer with some power hitting of our own! THEY'RE GOING, THEY'RE GOING, THEY'RE GONE!!!!! Ahhhhh....
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