Karen Dolan:
I have read this and your previous article on CD about 3 days ago. You are repeating this mantra that at there is a solid block of 80 progressives in Congress who retained their seats with losses of 5%, unlike blue-dog dems whose ranks were trimmed by 50%. In the previous article, you had not provided the names of any of the major progressives. In the current article you do - - Nancy Pelosi. I am very surprised you include NP in the ranks of progressives, because then your understanding of what a true progressive is and that of many others on CD including mine is, to say the least, orthogonal of not polar opposite.
Nevertheless here are some points I would like you to respond to, because what you say will let me know whether you understand progressivism or politics or only know and feel good about its slogans.
1. IF there are any progressives in Congress who know exactly the self destructive path the two parties and their plutocrat masters have chosen for 30 years now, then it behooves them to WALK OUT ENMASSE from the Democratic party and form the NECESSARY 3rd Party with the necessary vision and action plan. Even if they are threatened with concentration camp incarcerations and assasination by this evil administration and its goons. The Party can then recruit as a standard bearer a vociferous progressive such as Alan Grayson, one of the few Congmen with balls to come repeatedly on air on MSNBC and blast the nefarious activity of the PTB. He lost and what a shame.
2. I really believe that this is the PERFECT time for a political 3rd party with strength to emerge from the rotting corpse of the Dim Party. Just look at the propitious signs all about you. About 15 million - - YES, 15 MILLION - - young and motivated voters between 18-30 who voted in droves in 2008 for the first time in US history for a concept, though it was articulated by the consummate conman Obama, but who stayed out this time (can't fool me twice and all that you know)are STILL available. I am the father of two such young people. They tell me that on college campuses and in knowledge based work places the young voters were excited by somebody talking about securing their future by investing in education, sciences, technology; in a green economy with its large scale new technology and infrastructure that is economically very productive and yet environmentally friendly; that somebody was talking their language of inclusivness of live and let live on gays, lesbians, muslims, hindus, pagans, atheists, mother earth followers;and for looking after the poor and the sick. This constituency is still around and all there for the taking in 2012 when a lot of the white old idiots from down south and the "heartlands" would become even more doddering and more evidently crazy. Karen, do your 80 progressives have a clue about all this and the fantastic opportunity staring them in the face?
3. With 80 members of congress forming a legislative block; with the old stalwarts like Nader joining in; with the Green Party, plus the Black Caucus if it is not already in, Latinos, LBGT,and city dwellers in the big cities that went overwhelmingly liberal; with the 20 million strong spirited young constituency (which is 60% white) which will hold the reins of power in 10-20 years; with most intellectuals and scientists with any reasoning ability; and with most clear headed economists - - hey, all this constitutes a solid 40% - 60% of America today. That amounts to 120million people at least, and 180 million if what the polls say is true about the aspirations of most people, including the ablest minds and the most energetic group - - the young and educated.
So why have we not heard a peep from the so called progressive caucus, who should have all this calculus at their finger tips and their leaders, if any, should be able to drive a tough no compromise bargain with Obama or they quit enmasse. Karen, please address these issues. Otherwise you sound so far as Kumbaya liberal in wonderland.