One time FDR was meeting with some activists who felt really strongly about an issue, but the status quo had dug in and it didn't look easy to affect the change.
He told them: "I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it."
In the current environment, Fox News is one half of the discourse and CNN is the other half, while the pundits split the difference in the name of "balance". If you want change, get active, make him do it. We all live here.
What poll numbers are Obama and the others in government waiting for? I believe it was around 77% in favor of a public option for health care, why didn't they put that in?
How are we supposed to "make them do it" besides letting them know through poll numbers, protests, etc. what the public is feeling? They're elected to be representatives who in most cases side with a clear majority except where that would overstep their authority. If FDR wanted to have real democratic voting processes on specific issues, for which he is mandated to carry out whatever the final result is, he should have said so.
(I also don't like the false equivalency of Fox News and CNN/MSNBC/NPR/whatever-alternative-to-Fox, but that's another issue.)
A) He was waiting for 60 senators, not poll #s. 40 Republicans were guaranteed to filibuster anything he put out, even the final result which was basically the Republican counter-proposal to Hillarycare a few short years ago. So a couple of those 60 got to drag it out for ridiculous and crooked concessions.
B) Totally agree on the false equivalency, was trying to highlight that rather than propagate it.
But if you get active, assume that the media will characterize you and your picked group as being radicals and use the one-or-two whackjobs who attach themselves to every group to make everyone look like and idiot. Also, don't expect your "intelligent" friends to not believe the media in this regard.
I agree with you on getting involved, by the way. I've been getting involved in some of the local stuff, gradually working my way up. I've no interest in spending my time in politics, but I do want to be able to influence things.
...because, if I can't, I'll have to take Chile up on their offer.
Chile has been serious about recruiting startups to their country. $40,000 incentive, all the help you need to get started, they take no stake in your company, only obligation is to stay there for six months and do your best to be successful. (http://www.startupchile.org/)
Chile isn't without its own problems, but a lot of the climate is similar to California, they're enthusiastic and well-developed, great people overall, beautiful country, great food, great environment, lower cost of living. So far I haven't read any negative reviews of their program, only positive ones.
If you're not especially tied to the U.S., I'd recommend applying. Even if you go and it doesn't work out, you'd get a tremendously worthwhile experience from it.
He told them: "I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it."
In the current environment, Fox News is one half of the discourse and CNN is the other half, while the pundits split the difference in the name of "balance". If you want change, get active, make him do it. We all live here.