A Missed Opportunity

Alan Simpson, one of the co chairs of the "Cat Food" Commission whom almost liberal and progressive in the country is convinced will try to cut Social Security, gave all of us an opportunity to get him fired. He made a stupid comment about Social Security being a cow having 310 million tits which was just inartful enough to justify him getting axed but for one thing.

There was no quantifiable outrage.

Oh there were blogs posted and it was mentioned on MSNBC several times, but how many people actually called the White House switchboard to complain?

Not many I would bet.

How many bloggers ASKED their readers to call and complain?

I didn't see any.

I didn't do it because I pretty much missed the story until it was already over today when the White House came out with a statement saying they wouldn't fire Simpson over what he said.

And looking back on it why would they?

At some point liberals and progressives are going to have to wake up to the reality that the wingnuts have this fake controversy shit down pat and they don't get results just by complaining. They get results by exalting their followers to call, email, and fax in their complaints. Until WE start doing the same nobody is going to take us seriously. Its easy to portray the left as the fringe when all they have to do is combat some blog posts. Its a lot damn harder when they have to field an ass load of calls and emails and faxes all on the same subject. That shows, in their mind at least, who really cares about individual issues and who doesnt.

Now to me there is still an outside chance that the White House will be swayed by making a big deal out of what Simpson said. And so

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Please include your e-mail address
Phone Numbers

Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461

It only takes a few seconds to call in or send a fax. Just call and politely tell whomever answers that you heard about what Alan Simpson said and you don't think someone who is that intemperate should be heading a commission that will help shape the future of this country's financial health. Or something to that effect. And ask your friends and family members to do the same.

It might seem stupid but think about this, if a few phone calls can help to keep Social Security from being gutted by idealogues like Simpson isn't it worth it?