The AFL-CIO, AFSCME, SEIU, MoveOn.org, Americans United for Change, USAction, and True Majority are going to spend millions of dollars running an ad against targeted Republicans urging them to override President Bush’s veto of SCHIP, the child health coverage bill. The ad says the candidates are targeted because they support “Billions of Dollars for Iraq War, But Veto for Children’s Health Care”
My problem with the ad is that it does not teach a larger lesson. This is “a teachable moment.” People are upset that President Bush is vetoing this bill, but they do not understand the deeper ideological principals behind what is happening to them. This is an opportunity to teach people that conservatives believe in a you-are-on-your-own, dog-eat-dog philosophy and progressives believe we are all in this together for each other.
The ad says “George Bush and his backers would rather send half a trillion to Iraq than spend a fraction of that here to keep our kids healthy.” Even by changing “and his backers” to “and the conservatives” they could have let people know that it isn’t just Bush and it isn’t about particular politicians, it’s the conservative ideology that is hurting them. This issue is about differences in philosophy between conservatives and progressives.
But instead of teaching the public a lesson about what is happening to us all, this coalition will spend millions running this ad against individual politicians, and in the end the money will literally just go up in the air(waves) and nothing will remain behind.
Tag Archives: MoveOn.org
Go Visit MoveOn.org
Have you visited MoveOn’s website lately? MoveOn.org: Democracy in Action
MoveOn is run by its members – you and me. Completely. They only have 17 employees. MoveOn is about what YOU want the organization to do.
From their About page:
With over 3.3 million members across America – from carpenters to stay-at-home moms to business leaders – we work together to realize the progressive promise of our country. MoveOn is a service – a way for busy but concerned citizens to find their political voice in a system dominated by big money and big media.
… Every member has a voice in choosing the direction for both MoveOn.org Political Action and MoveOn.org Civic Action. Using our ActionForum software, you can propose priorities and strategies. Both organizations also take the initiative to organize quick action on other timely issues that our members care about.
If you are not a MoveOn member this is a good time to sign up.
Senate Dems Afraid Rush Limbaugh Will Say Something Bad About Them
Half of the “Democrats” in the Senate voted to condemn MoveOn today. They are afraid that Rush Limbaugh might say something bad about them.
I’m a member of MoveOn, so they were voting to condemn ME.
Reso Condemning MoveOn Passes Overwhelmingly, With Lots Of Dems,
The GOP-introduced resolution condemning MoveOn just passed by a huge margin, 72-25. Roughly half the Democrats in the Senate supported it.
A couple of the more interesting votes: Jim Webb, who just yesterday was a Netroots hero, voted for it, even though the last thing he needs as a military guy is cover on something like this.
Meanwhile, Hillary — who’s been under assault by Rudy for refusing to condemn MoveOn but who’s also locked in a tough Dem primary — stood her ground and voted No.
The list of “Democrats” requiring progressive primary opponents the next time they are up for re-election follows: