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<\/a>So yesterday I talked about how the Republicans are holding the country hostage and Obama is willing to do whatever they like. Obama is holding our votes hostage and most Democrats have told him that they are willing to do whatever he wants. Today I am going to suggest a way out.<\/p>\n
First, let me just remind everyone of what is going on here. The Republicans say they want X and the President says that he is willing to compromise and give them 80% of what they want. They say no so he comes back and offers 100% of what they want. They say no and tell him they want 110%. Obama says that doesn\u2019t even make sense, but they don\u2019t care so Obama agrees. Then the Republicans tell the people, \u201clook what Obama just did, he is an evil socialist Nazi out to get you.\u201d Obama says, \u201cHey, you wanted me to do those things, they were your ideas.\u201d The Republicans laugh and say, \u201cyeah and you get the blame for it when our ridiculously bad ideas fail because they were\u2026 well\u2026 ridiculously bad. Ha ha!\u201d<\/p>\n
Then Obama comes back to you and says, you have to vote for me because you can\u2019t let those crazies near the White House. The Democratic voters say, \u201cYeah, we think you are doing a horrible job, but you get our vote anyway because those guys are really crazy!\u201d Then Obama goes to the Republicans and says, \u201cHey, I want your votes, so I will do whatever you ask.\u201d They say great, do X. Obama says how about 80% of X\u2026 well, you get the idea.<\/p>\n
So what can we do? First, we can tell people that we will NOT vote for Obama if he doesn\u2019t stop trying to appease the Republicans and start doing progressive things. Use your vote as a threat. Tell people that we need to stand strong and send a message. Make people believe that you are not making an idol threat. Personally, I couldn\u2019t give a shit if it is idol or not. But you need to convince Obama that it is not an idol threat.<\/p>\n
Next, go to Democratic websites and let them know that you are not going to vote for Obama unless he stops trying to appease Republicans and starts doing progressive things. Make them believe it! When the DNC sends you surveys, let them know too. Spread this message as much as you can. Let any Democratic leader in you area know that you will not support Obama unless he changes. Do this NOW!<\/p>\n
By the time 2012 roles around I promise you, Obama will cave, because in the end it is all about the numbers. There is no way Obama has swayed a single Republican who didn\u2019t support him in 2008 to support him now despite all the appeasing. If Obama feels that he is going to lose a significant amount of his base he will realize that he will lose the election. So what will he have to do? He will have to do at least a few things to appease us. Then we can decide if he has done enough or has to work harder. This will be about the time that the campaign really heats up so there will be lots of polling. How we answer those polls will determine how much Obama will try to appease us over how much he will try to appease the Republicans.<\/p>\n
If you can count on one thing in 2012, it is that Obama will be out there trying to appease someone. He is an appeaser from start to finish. Use your vote to leverage change. Go to the websites of progressive think tanks and action groups and let them know you are standing strong and will not give your vote to Obama without getting something in exchange.<\/p>\n
In the next few days I am hoping to make a video with our list of demands. Give me some suggestions. What are the strong progressive things that you wish Obama had done? Let\u2019s use our vote to hold Obama hostage to our demands.<\/p>\n
When people ask, \u201cWhat if the election is between Obama and [fill in a crazy Republican] who are you going to vote for?\u201d the answer should be, \u201cThat depends on Obama.\u201d Election Day is still a long time away, don\u2019t give away your only leverage this early.
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