Where the Sidewalk Cracks, Grass Grows

Someone recently shared how sad the division in the Democratic party makes them feel, and I agree with them. I take no pleasure in seeing the party torn apart. But while I am very sad there is so much division in my former party, I'm sadder that the DNC's response to the division has been to tell those of us who are disaffected that we need to just shut up and get over it, as though our concerns are not worth anyone's time. For lifelong Democrats who, before now, never would have dreamt of voting Republican or for a third party or not at all, that is a slap in the face. This is how our party loyalty is rewarded?

A lot of mistakes have been made, the largest of which has been telling people who disagree to get in line. That started even before the race was decided and came mostly from the Obama camp. I don't mind dialogue; I mind being argued at and jeered at and talked down to and told to listen without being listened to and then told to join the camp that sent the people who jeered at me and talked down to me in the first place. It's like an abusive partner who beats the living shit out of you, then demands that you to be there to have sex with them that night and says you are wrong for not complying. At some point your self-respect demands that you leave that person in your dust and not look back.

Though I don't expect him to be the least bit effective as president except for blowing smoke up people's asses, I wouldn't be surprised if Obama wins. The Democratic party machine is very powerful, and they will do whatever they feel they have to do in order to make it happen (other than treating those who disagree with respect, that is), as many of us who feel abandoned by the party can attest to. That is why many of us have said we did not leave the Democratic party; it left us. Our anger comes from the sadness of watching our views be trivialized, if not outright ignored, while the party turns into something we no longer recognize or want to be associated with and marches down the road as though it's done something marvelous. This isn't a time when the Democratic party and the average American who depends on the things the Democratic party champions can afford this kind of division, but here it is, because of the decisions that were made. It's a frightening time.

But it's also exciting, because those of us who are devoted to the foundational principles of the party now have an opportunity to start a new political movement that speaks to the millions like us. I've never been so interested in national politics, never been a part of anything with the potential to be so historic, and I'm excited about where we can go from here.