New Thoughtz

“We cannot change our past. We can not change the fact that people act in a certain way. We can not change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.”

Charles Swindoll

Looking back at the 2010 election cycle can and does give a lot of Democrats headaches. The visible positive changes were minimal, as most of the changes made take effect in a few years. The Affordable Care Act sees maturity in 2014. The Dodd/Frank Bill sees maturity in 2012. “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” took all spring to effect. Many many good things happened under the Democratic watch, it just wasn’t very visible. Second that with the fact that Dems are TERRIBLE at touting their successes. So we got our “tails” handed to us in a sweeping way.

Looking backward won’t help. Planning now to win 2012 is essential. While learning from our mistakes is enormously important, learning from the other side is also important. When Republicans attack, rather than defend, we need to learn to feint and parry. When the presidential hopefuls talk about our President in a derogatory or demeaning manner, we need to stand up and shout them down. You saw what happened when they tried to privatize Medicare. That is the lesson to learn.

My biggest concern of this new season of elections is that we will continue to let the Republican party dictate the conversation parameters. I say no. We choose our conversations, and we stick to it. We support our President, we don’t defend him. Mostly, we stand up, for our country, and our party.

That’s my newest thought this week.