Remember Gulliver and the Lilliputians? Remember how those little guys surrounded Gulliver while he was sleeping, and trussed him up with a thousand little ropes?

That's what's happening with American Democracy, folks, and the time is running out to do something about it. By this time next year, Democracy may be nothing but a fond memory.

The Bush machine continues to gather sweeping new powers (even more, that is) to wage war with a vague and unsubstantiated threat called "terror"...the biggest scam in world history.

Not content with the draconian PATRIOT act, which was passed into law without even being read by many Congressmen, they are gathering power by playing on America's fears.

While America trembles from faceless enemies, the administration cries wolf for the umpteenth time since 911 and demands more and more power:

They need to authorize domestic use of the military.
They need tighter control of citizens.
They need to stifle dissent.
They need to reduce Congressional authority.
They need to be able to hold Citizens indefinitely without trial.
They need to read your email and monitor your websurfing.
They need to search your houses.
They need to know what books you read.

Oh yes… they also need to load the courts with right-wing ideologues. Quickly!

The American Taliban known as the Bush Administration is in a race against time, and they know it. Before America wises up to their sinister and pervasive agenda, they have to have all their little ropes in place.

Democracy's best hope, unfortunately, are those spineless souls known as the Democratic Opposition, who have a golden opportunity to reinvent themselves as The Voice Of The People instead of being Republican Lite.

Just think of the issues that could be part of a strong Democratic platform:

• Let's say no to Fascism. (It should go without saying, shouldn't it?)

•Let's get money out of politics, with public financing of elections and equal media time for candidates. No soft money. No hard money. At this point, even the Republicans will vote for you on that one.

• Let's implement corporate reform, and make corporations worry about something other than stock value. Like being responsible to the community.

• Let's set corporate lobbyists in concrete and use them for traffic dividers. Why should the pharmaceutical industry be entitled to 750 people in Washington shaping public policy?

• Let's consider preserving the environment instead of handing it over to the coal, oil, and chemical industries.

• Let's stand up for an equal shot at a quality life for all citizens of the world.

• Let's not wage war on the rest of the world for the benefit of Lockheed, Bechtel, Halliburton, General Dynamics, and all the other feeders at the government trough.

• Let's stand for peace, human kindness, fair play, etc., etc.

Instead, what are our Democratic heroes saying? Bold statements like "although I fully support the president, this administration may not be doing all it could" and other lukewarm zingers.

Here's a thought.
It's not an original idea, but whoever originated the concept, hats off…I think all of us should embrace it forthwith.

If you'd like to make an eloquent statement to the spineless Democratic leadership who are allowing Dubya and Co. to run roughshod over American Democracy and the Constitution, pop down to your nearest toy store and pick up a few dozen cheap rubber balls.

Then, find a box and send two of them to Tom Daschle. No explanation should be required, except perhaps to say: "I think you may need these."
Send another pair of balls to Dick Gephardt.
Send a pair of big ones to Al Gore. (do they make cast iron ones?)
Send one to Russ Feingold. (after all, he did vote against the heinous PATRIOT act)

Send a pair to Harry Reid.
Send a pair to John Kerry.
Send a pair to John Breaux and any other Democrats In Name Only you can think of.
Send a pair to John Edwards.
Send a pair to Dennis Kucinich. (another large pair, since he does seem to have the Right Stuff)

Send a pair of balls to Charles Rangel.
Don't send any to Joe Lieberman…he would only hand his over to the Republicans anyway. (and God knows they already have theirs.)
If you still have some left over, send them to your Democratic congressman or send some to the few reporters who can still report the truth.

Who knows? Maybe if they receive a few thousand balls from Democrats desperately in need of a True American Hero, they may get the idea.

The Opposition Party may even start opposing.