More on the state of my nation

Clearly today I have not completed my five Kubler-Ross steps. It may take a while.

There will be no solace in the fact that I get to say ‘I told you so' to a lot of people. None.

It feels like I've been living in a world of hope and sanity, one where my leaders don't lie to the American public in order to get elected. One where values actually mean more than denying people rights and keeping one group of people from being equal. One where morality is more than a tool for political gain.

Then I went back down the rabbit hole and into this mess once again.

I'm upset today not that the Republicans won, or the Democrats lost, but by the type of people that won and the promises they made. People who won favor the death penalty for doctors that perform abortions all the while performing secret sterilization on an underage girl. People who fell that a teacher should not be determined by skill level or dedication, but by sexual orientation alone. Somehow these Republicans treat most of America as inferior, and yet the masses lap up their pablum. These are the things that scare me, and I have no idea what to do about it.

There has been much talk that Democrats need to reshape the debate on morals. Don't get me wrong, I think that's a fine idea. There is, however, to be more done.

Republicans found a large majority that felt their vote didn't matter, and catered to there needs. They found a sect of the nation, this religious right, this "moral majority," and make them feel like Republicans stood for what they believed. They empowered this group and they have shown them great gains in the past few years.

Democrats need to find a group like this for themselves.

There is a sect of working class folks who still maintain the morals of the liberal party, the ones who like to see equality for all, who look to their fellow man with eyes of hope and helpfulness rather than eyes of wanting and fear. There is a large sect of Americans who want to uplift those around them, not push them down. There is a large sect of Americans who want to bring out the best in those around them, not cater to the worst. There is a large sect of America who believes in freedom and justice for all, not just for the wealthy few or those ideologically aligned.

Democrats need to stand up and say that they are ready to stand up and fight for what they believe is morally right. There will hard resistance from the right, but who are they to deny us our morality? We all have the right and the duty to stand up and fight for what we believe is right and true, and we should no longer hesitate to do so.

Perhaps, in some back room, there is a focus group that tells the powers that be that this won't seel to America. That is why we must work to disarm the right. We must show the world the immorality of the other side. We must force America to ask if it is moral to deny thy fellow man and denounce his promises as lies with no proof. Is it moral to wield fear as a weapon? Is it moral to deny love and commitment to those willing to pledge it to each other? And that is just the start.

Democrats need to mobilize starting now and get not just ideas and issues in the public's eye, but an overarching theme that encompasses those ideas. Republicans now use this "moral idea" on everything from tax cuts to tire chains and all points between. But what is the Democrats theme? That's what liberals need to sell to the American people. Not empty promises, mind you, but a message that is backed on action and fact.

There needs to be, in my opinion, a new marketing of Democrats. And soon.

*UPDATE* Well, what do you know? William Saletan has the same idea, only he's already figured it out.

When leaders betray troops through bad planning and false pretenses for war, that should be your issue. When Republicans cut taxes for the rich while the nation is at war and the Treasury is empty, that should be your issue. When soldiers from poor families die while corporations skim from the war budget, that should be your issue. I've heard John Kerry talk about each of these issues separately, but each time, he sounded opportunistic. To be powerful, they must flow from a common message. That message is responsibility.

All the issues Democrats like to run on—education, the environment, the deficit, energy independence—would be vastly more powerful if united under a single theme. Clean up your mess. Take care of your children. Pay your debts. Stand on your own two feet. It all comes down to responsibility.