General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDoes today's Democratic Party speak for you?
I'm not encouraging anyone to switch affiliation - for one thing, there's no better alternative. But I am curious as to how many folks feel at home in our party, vs. feeling like strangers.
As a favor... Please keep this kicked so we get a good sample.
Thanks!
95 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited | |
I feel very comfortable with today's Democratic Party | |
2 (2%) |
|
I mostly feel comfortable with today's Democratic Party, but would like to see some changes | |
5 (5%) |
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There are a few elected Democrats that I like, but the Party as a whole is disappointing | |
64 (67%) |
|
The Party is a disaster | |
20 (21%) |
|
Other (please elaborate) | |
4 (4%) |
|
0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided. | |
Show usernames
Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll |
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)"Were parties here divided merely by a greediness for office,...to take a part with either would be unworthy of a reasonable or moral man." --Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 1795.
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." John Quincy Adams
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Thanks.
adirondacker
(2,921 posts)woo me with science
(32,139 posts)The two-party system is a tool now, used to keep us divided and unable to fight back.
We need to move beyond thinking about parties, to thinking about people.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)who are pro-labour, anti-capital, pro-environment and renewables, anti-fossil fuel, pro-peace, anti-war, pro-social justice, anti-police state.
Unfortunately, that's a far smaller percentage than it would take for me to be 'comfortable' with the party as a whole.
Disclosure: I did switch affiliation, and am currently a Democratic Socialist. If the party finds its way back to being the party of the poor and downtrodden, I'll find my way back to the party.
Depaysement
(1,835 posts)Because I really like this one, buddy.
calimary
(85,008 posts)Glad you're here! This is one of the long-running debates here at DU. LOTS of passionate feelings - on each side of it. I always fall toward the Machiavellian side. Whatever ensures a WIN. 'Cuz it's more than just the White House being in our tribe's hands. It's the SUPREME COURT. Guaranteed - if the GOP wins in 2016, the ensuing Supreme Court nominees will NOT be to your liking. And they'll probably be younger so they'll unfortunately last a long time. bush/cheney clearly understood that. We're gonna be stuck with frickin' alito and roberts for a LONG time. And because scalia wasn't exactly of retirement age yet, when reagan stuck us with him, we STILL aren't free of him, and that was three decades ago!
Depaysement
(1,835 posts)Maedhros
(10,007 posts)After that, the Party told me loud and clear that it didn't want my vote anymore, so I switched back to Pacific Green.
oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)and the answer is no.
A Simple Game
(9,214 posts)duhneece
(4,285 posts)Do you work to make it better? Do you work to become informed about the legislation supported by your state's Democrats? Do you work to become informed about city/state/county issues and the solutions being discussed and offered? \
Those questions come before the original poster's for me.
oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)on the board with my local dem club, register new voters, walk my precinct, donate ...
duhneece
(4,285 posts)If 63 is considered old!
My county commission is a Bundy supporting one and the more I learn, the more I'm motivated to walk, call, etc.
Then NM's Governor makes me so angry I could spit...then I get my lists together.
merrily
(45,251 posts)Republicans have been offering us nothing but crazy and every kind of bigotry you can imagine.
I have no clue what Greens are doing at the national level with that shadow cabinet stuff.
QC
(26,371 posts)but the Republicans are little better than fascists, and I live in a swing state, so I can't stay home or protest vote. Sometimes that means holding my nose when I vote.
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)Now it is a choice of fascism with and without mandatory transvaginal ultrasounds.
QC
(26,371 posts)in the face of Republican fascism, which is not much better.
"Gee, we would really like to do ___, but those mean ole Republicans over there won't let us. Sounds like you just want a king anyway. A king with a magic wand!!!"
Progressive dog
(7,318 posts)Would this be like Mussolini or do you think Franco had a better kind?
I thought that we were Democrats.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)I take it back. Not even a good try to disparage the poster.
How do you feel about the Democratic Party?
Progressive dog
(7,318 posts)I'm a Democrat, I vote for Democrats, I do not attack Democratic leaders for being fascists as some do.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Seems to me you are saying that you support all Democrats no matter what they say or do. Speak up if I am misunderstanding you.
I am a Democrat and I vote for Democrats, but I do not vote for all Democrats and think that those that do are doing the Party a major disservice.
I assume you read the study that says that we no longer live in a Constitutionally controlled Democratic Republic. Now I don't think we have reached the point of a fascist state yet but won't argue that we aren't headed that way.
What are your thoughts about our "democracy"?
Progressive dog
(7,318 posts)they just think that's tricky. Sometimes they then try to put words in my mouth, usually because they do not understand how meeting others part way is necessary to decision making in a democracy.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)gain us something? You can't bargain with terrorists, Republicans, and DINO's.
Progressive dog
(7,318 posts)we have very few terrorists but of course we do have those who think their own party is fascist.
I'm just curious, how do you reconcile thinking your fellow Democrats are DINOS (and even fascists) and voting for any of them?
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)with the more conservative Republicans in Congress.
Once again you try to put words in my mouth. I never have claimed that my fellow Democrats are DINO's. There are definitely DINO's in Congress. I don't vote for anyone that doesn't have Democratic values and principles. I don't believe a person can have Democratic values and still vote to authorize George Bush to invade, kill and torture Iraqi's, nor supporting fracking. In DU there are some that admit they are willing to forgo their Democratic Principles to insure a winning candidate.
I believe unless we get some "change" (as promised) we will slide into a fascist state.
Progressive dog
(7,318 posts)but they don't call themselves Democrats. My head is spinning.
How did all these DINOS, even the President, get elected by all these real Democrats? Are real Democrats really that stupid? I guess you must think they are. Then the DINOS vote to invade Iraq and they get re-elected. How in the world did they ever get a majority, when you tell me their whole party opposes them.
Those Democrats just have no membership standards. They think if Democrats have primaries and you win, you must be a Democrat.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)whatever game you play.
QC
(26,371 posts)You've noticed that, too, eh?
I always get very suspicious when a reply begins with, "So you're saying...." It means, basically, "I got nothing so I'm going to misrepresent you and hope no one notices."
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)A long time ago, I used to visit a discussion board where the owners (who were wickedly funny) automatically replaced certain strings of words with other words. They did it for common phrases, and especially dull attempts to insult or disparage.
So, if someone used the word "idiot," it would come out saying something like, "left on the tilt-a-whirl a bit too long"
If I had my own message board, I'd replace "So you think..." with exactly what you just posted here.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)make statements. Insinuating questions is a Fox News technique, ala: "Do you think Obama was born in Kenya?" If you don't have a good argument, make an insinuation via question.
QC
(26,371 posts)woo me with science
(32,139 posts)bobthedrummer
(26,083 posts)bobduca
(1,763 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Continuing the war in Iraq isn't progressive. You can't be progressive and still support the status-quo. Just sayin'.
QC
(26,371 posts)Ever notice how the posters with the most ostentatiously lefty usernames generally have the most decidedly non-lefty opinions?
And if they are using that Che avatar....
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)stillwaiting
(3,795 posts)MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)Could mean a variety of things.
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)Last edited Sun Sep 14, 2014, 04:15 PM - Edit history (2)
Neither are all the good people trying to stop Wall Street from installing in *our* government more puppets for predatory corporatism, secret government, secret laws, secret courts, antidemocratic "trade" deals that allow corporations to overrule democratic laws and protections, government-corporate espionage, mass surveillance, "kill lists," indefinite detention, intimidation of journalists, brutal suppression of protest and political dissent, assaults on fundamental Constitutional protections, militarized police, massive private prison industries, persecution of whistleblowing, and the security state.
Corporatism in the Democratic Party was never a grass roots phenomenon. It is and has always been a deliberate, corporate-bankrolled infiltration into the party, with the goal of shifting party interests from the people to the banks. So is the vile propaganda on behalf of it.
And, yes, this vicious corruption, which used to live in one party but now lives in two, is pushing us into fascism.
When the DLC connections to the Koch Bros. became well known, they just rebranded the infiltration
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4165556
When you hear "Third Way", think INVESTMENT BANKERS
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024127432
GOP Donors and K Street Fuel Third Ways Advice for the Democratic Party
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101680116
The Rightwing Koch Brothers fund the DLC
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x498414
Same companies behind the GOP are behind the DLC
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1481121
Progressive dog
(7,318 posts)I think most people don't see fascist as a synonym for capitalism. Likewise they don't immediately think fascist when they hear third way Democrat or Democratic leadership council . Besides, free enterprise and corporations are outgrowths of allowing individuals to own property, they existed well before anyone thought of fascism.
In Britain, they used to have monopolies granted by the king. We even let foreign corporations compete with ours. Our federal government doesn't charter corporations. Our state doesn't even slightly resemble the actual fascist states that existed.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)corptocracy and the Democratic Party leaders are not doing anything to change it for the better. Goldman-Sachs blatantly gives H. Clinton $400,000 cash for her personal fortune as a down payment for her future services. I further believe that a fascistic state would be ideal for our corptocracy to morph into. Capitalism thrives in a strong authoritarian run state. I believe China is the leading capitalistic state today.
The Democratic Party leaders need to back away from the domination of Wall Street and the NSA/CIA Security State.
Progressive dog
(7,318 posts)Ok I found it in the Urban dictionary. So you are saying those people at my polling place are figments of my imagination or are you saying they're multi-national corporations in disguise as humans?
Selling hatred of capitalism would be pretty tough in most of the developed world.
You do know that Christianity prohibited interest on loans for a very long while. That might be why European economy stagnated for centuries after the collapse of the Roman empire. Certainly, in recent times, the growth of the Chinese economy can be attributed to capitalism, I'd agree with that. The trouble with China is, they still have the old authoritarian government, unlike the USA.
I'm going to ignore the NSA, CIA stuff. If you believe the US government is plotting against you, I am certain that there is nothing that would change your mind.
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)Last edited Mon Sep 15, 2014, 05:46 AM - Edit history (1)
just another flavor of capitalism within an essentially functioning democratic government.
It's not.
As a former president of the United States put it, we don't have a functioning democracy anymore.
We are witnessing an ongoing process of merger of state and corporation (one definition of fascism) that is truly frightening. The very foundations of our democratic system are being actively dismantled by the corporate politicians you defend.
We have lost much of the Bill of Rights. There is a secret, unaccountable government operating alongside the one we are taught about at school, and it has the power of mass surveillance and dossiers on citizens, secret laws and secret courts, the power to smear and lie and disinform, to suppress protest and political dissent, and to indefinitely imprison and even murder American citizens without transparency and without due process.
Our intelligence and security agencies have been co-opted and are being used to surveil peaceful domestic protest and to engage in corporate espionage. Our purchased government actors are using every means possible - the courts, "trade" agreements, legislation, executive actions - to restructure and rig the system to pass power to corporations that used to belong to the people of this nation.
Journalism has been hobbled through intimidation/abuse of espionage laws and by active consolidation and purchase by corporate entities that parrot the party lines....and our precious internet is being handed over to those same corporations as we speak. Whistleblowers and potential government whistleblowers are under unprecedented surveillance and assault. Our police departments have been militarized, and peaceful protests federally surveilled *in cooperation* with Wall Street and brutally suppressed.
Legislation coming out of our corrupt, purchased government bears no resemblance whatsoever to the popular will and hasn't for a long time. And the wealth of ordinary Americans is being looted, and our commons are being looted, to fill the pockets of the billionaires, bankers, and corporations who are building this new corporatocracy hurtling into fascism.
We hear a lot of lies and propaganda and Newspeak, most likely funded through our own tax dollars. We are told that our system is functioning, that we need only vote harder next time. We are told that the politicians perpetrating these assaults on our nation are "centrists" or "moderates," with the safe, warm connotations of those words. How could anything "moderate" or in the "center" be dangerous? But these are extreme, even fascistic policies, and it is time we called them out for what they are.
They are assaults on democracy itself. They are assaults on our Constitution. They are assaults on every one of us.
And it needs to stop now.
Progressive dog
(7,318 posts)is written by those we elect. If you think that we are so stupid that we continue to re elect those who are trying to harm us, then there is no hope. If there is no hope, then whether I am a Democrat makes no difference. I would think the only solution would be to hide in a basement.
How does it work that government opposes the popular will but government needs propaganda to change the popular will? Either what is done is the popular will and we're going to vote our convictions, or we are too stupid (with you as one of the few exceptions) to recognize propaganda when we see it.
I hope that was intended as humor.
Dustlawyer
(10,519 posts)They played the sure thing and co opted both parties. Democrats and Republicans take turns being the Harlem Globetrotters vs. the others sides Washington Generals. They both agree on the outcome ahead of time (example: no Wall Street prosecutions), but have us distracted by BS with the help of their media conglomerates.
Campaign contributions (bribes) are ruining our country and allowing control of our government by the Plutocrats. Like Bernie Sanders says, "We need publicly funded elections to end legal bribery of our (former) Representatives." He should know, he sees it everyday! Help spread the word and let's peaceably protest outside TV stations to get our message out!
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)I think the PTB will use any means at their disposal (and I mean any means) to prevent Bernie Sanders from using the bully pulpit he knows is necessary to turn this around.
There are many more of us than there are of them. We need a peaceful revolution.
And we need money out of politics.
Dustlawyer
(10,519 posts)inspire others to join this very necessary fight!
merrily
(45,251 posts)If my name were on the ballot, I'd even have mixed feelings.
Based on that, I'm guessing most people hold their nose when they vote. It's a matter of degree.
Hopefully, you don't have to hold it so tightly that you need CPR.
QC
(26,371 posts)The Panhandle is basically Teabagger Heaven, so even the Democrats here can be pretty repugnant.
For years, I did have a Democratic congressman here, Allen Boyd, but he was the only Democrat in either house of Congress to support Bush's Social Security privatization effort. He wasn't quite right wing enough for this district, though, so he was defeated by Steve Southerland during The Great Teabagger Tantrum of 2010.
Southerland is a wingnut of the worst sort, except that he's at least not openly hateful. He was born into wealth but imagines that he clawed his way to the top through sheer force of will, something that most rich kids think. Southerland famously complained during a town hall meeting that he was not being paid enough for what he has to put up with as a member of congress.
Can you see why I had no choice but to vote for Boyd, even though I had to hold my nose so hard I nearly suffocated?
calimary
(85,008 posts)OR the libertarians. CERTAINLY more than the teabaggers! Not the Socialists, or even the Greens or Peace & Freedoms. The Independents? Meh. They wind up being little other than spoilers when it counts the most. Remember: we can thank Ross Perot, TWICE, that Bill Clinton was a two-termer, especially the first time! So that helped our side. But it can work the same way, the other way, too!!!! That's what terrifies me about a Bernie Sanders campaign.
PLEASE understand - I LOVE Bernie Sanders!!! He dovetails a lot more frequently with my views than even Hillary does!
But I'm also realistic. Wish it weren't necessary! But it IS!!!
I fear, seriously, that if Bernie Sanders runs as an independent, he will mess it up for the leading Democrat - presumably Hillary Clinton. It will be close, no matter who it is, just by virtue of the avalanches of money that the bad guys can spend and we can't. Their money WILL be an advantage. Which means we ARE gonna have to fight for this one. Even Hillary, the alleged "sure-thing," won't just cakewalk her way into the White House - it'll be a fight. Between now and then, rand paul has plenty of time to sweet talk the know-nothings and lull to sleep those with some reservations about him. So does marco rubio. So does ted cruz, for that matter! And if romney sees an opening he thinks might be easier this time, don't count him out, either. SERIOUSLY.
I want to WIN again in 2016. Sending some sort of "message" for the sake of purity doesn't get you into the White House. I wish that's all that was needed. But we've got to get some of theirs to vote for our side to make sure it works. Remember, there are some asshole voters out there - YES. I SAID IT. They're ASSHOLES if they don't get out there and vote EACH AND EVERY time they get the chance to do so - there will be those in 2016 who figure "Hillary's (or whoever it is)" got it in the bag. Think I'll just kick back, today..." or some such lame-ass excuse. Sorry to be crude but there it is (besides, they deserve it!). I guarantee you some people, especially on our side, will stay home that day and not vote. And if there's ANY way the bad guys can wriggle in, that would help because I bet the kochs and shel adelson will be willing to bet the house on this. They've lost twice in a row and they don't like losing, so they're gonna go ALL OUT to win it this time.
And the "message" you'll send... is only the one that comes back to you from the OTHER SIDE's guy whose win YOU enabled with your "message." That message coming back at you and the rest of us will be - "Thanks, CHUMPS!" Guaranteed. They can't wait to wipe their muddy lug-soled boots on you! And they're PRAYING you'll help them. They're doing that THIS ELECTION, TOO. Bet on it.
AND ONE MORE THING:
I wouldn't be surprised if there are GOP operatives at this very moment, making sure Bernie Sanders gets more than the usual campaign donations. It wouldn't be the first time that's happened, either, where the bad guys come in and shore up the spoiler who's gonna make it a sure thing that the leading Democrat doesn't get enough votes to win.
merrily
(45,251 posts)He likes them even less than we do.
JEB
(4,748 posts)that is willing to help Republicans. Especially if they are big donors.
TexasProgresive
(12,345 posts)MisterP
(23,730 posts)lever for a leadership that can be described as "Dubya without the gay-baiting"
merrily
(45,251 posts)Republicans and Democrats both want us to keep voting for one or the other. Of course each of them would like your vote, but, most of all, they don't want the system opening up.
grahamhgreen
(15,741 posts)merrily
(45,251 posts)Sanders is still a member of that Caucus because there is no counterpart of a progressive or liberal caucus in the Senate. New Democrat Caucus is all there is in the Senate.
grahamhgreen
(15,741 posts)lol. 'Naggers' was a typo... But I'll leave it!
merrily
(45,251 posts)their numbers dwindled. In 2008, there were about 100. Now it's about 70.
grahamhgreen
(15,741 posts)woo me with science
(32,139 posts)There's a problem...
kentuck
(113,103 posts)...let alone for anyone else.
adirondacker
(2,921 posts)SomeGuyInEagan
(1,515 posts)jeff47
(26,549 posts)The Will Rodgers quote is more apt than ever.
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)vi5
(13,305 posts)Republicans, Democrats and liberals.
The Democratic party has been consumed whole by the Centrists since even though there are some nominally liberal folks still in the party, only the "centrists" get a voice and the liberals have to get in line or be marginalized (see what happened this past week in one of the most safe blue states in the country, New York for the prime example of what has happened to the Democratic party).
BlindTiresias
(1,563 posts)RufusTFirefly
(8,812 posts)The "Democrats" are the generally marginalized members of the corporation known as the Democratic Party. They sometimes self-identify as "progressives" and also make up the bulk of the Congressional Black Caucus. The "Republicans" comprise the bulk of the Democratic Party (the corporate Democrats) plus those members of the Republican Party who have been marginalized by their own party for being moderates. The "John Birch Society" is made up of the most vocal members of the Republican Party.
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)Last edited Sun Sep 14, 2014, 07:09 PM - Edit history (1)
right now there's pretty much one party with any power:
Two arms of the Corporate Party that purchased/infiltrated/cannibalized the original Republican and Democratic parties of this country.
Meanwhile, out in the country still live all the traditional Democrats and Republicans who are either unaware and confused, or angry as hell at how their parties have been co-opted and no longer represent them.
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)phantom power
(25,966 posts)xchrom
(108,903 posts)Eatacig
(97 posts)Right before every election right wing starts posting things like this to discourage Dems from voting. Works every time.
RufusTFirefly
(8,812 posts)He's fooled a lot of people, but he can't fool you!
I see you've hung around long enough to notice the ugly truth.
(Aw geez. Do I have to? Oh, OK. )
SomeGuyInEagan
(1,515 posts)... And your Reagan figurine collection!
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)They can say what they want about me... but the figurines? Those are off limits.
leftstreet
(36,423 posts)MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)I might have something in mind, but not what you're thinking... stay tuned...
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)but I do not support the Democratic leadership that has abandoned Democratic Principles and bow down to Wall Street, General Clapper, and the MIC. The highly touted "recovery" is a bad joke. No one "recovered". The 1% continue to steal our wealth.
SomeGuyInEagan
(1,515 posts)Grassroots and local level, yes. State level - DFL in Minnesota - still yes. Starts to fade nationally. The leadership, nope.
YoungDemCA
(5,714 posts)Unless you want to go back to a time pre-feminism, pre-civil rights, and pre-LGBT rights.
Dr Hobbitstein
(6,568 posts)If the Democratic Party didn't speak for me, then I wouldn't be a Democrat.
RufusTFirefly
(8,812 posts)The rank and file serve the people. The leadership serves the paymasters.
In 2004, an overwhelming number of delegates at the convention were against the illegal war in Iraq. Yet we chose someone who was for it. The famous salute was the coup de grace.
In a crisis like this, I feel Freedonia needs a new leader, a progressive, fearless fighter, a man like Rufus T. Firefly.
Louisiana1976
(3,962 posts)99Forever
(14,524 posts)... because there are so few what I consider to be actual Democrats left in the party. I wish it were different, and I fear if the Democratic Party doesn't return to the values that it had before Reagan sent this nation on a slide into corporatism, we will not survive.
City Lights
(25,492 posts)locks
(2,012 posts)and about wept, not just because he's retiring but at his disappointment with the party and the administration. He believes Dems are more liberal/progressive than we are being portrayed. Just hope and wish he's right!
Warpy
(113,131 posts)There needs to be a shakeup at the top to decrease the power of the DLC/New Democrat coalition, a coalition that knows best how to lose elections. They're the ones who muzzle candidates so they won't scare right wingers and who misallocate resources to safe districts instead of spreading them around so people in red areas don't feel abandoned. It's a coalition that is owned by Wall Street, by and large, and that makes the party no friends among people who see their purchasing power decrease year after year as hedge funds stripmine the economy.
Most of our people in Congress are tolerable, especially considering how frustrating it must be to have to try to work with raving lunatics. The Democrats defeated in 2010 were Blue Dogs, by and large. While that should have sent a message to the leadership, they have failed to heed it.
merrily
(45,251 posts)still_one
(97,074 posts)MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)If you want to share.
still_one
(97,074 posts)ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)For example, ISIS kills about 30 people each day while hunger kills about 21,000 people each day. However, the Democratic Party is much more concerned about ISIS than hunger. Why is that? Sure, we could do both, but we're not. Why?
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)And when you write new laws, always include the reason for the existence of the law, include 'trial periods' and mandatory data collection and analysis, with a second mandatory vote after the analysis as to whether or not to keep it.
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)Two plus two does not equal five!
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)You know. That's the Rightie® theory.
Autumn
(46,976 posts)xiamiam
(4,906 posts)I voted other..which means that it can't be fixed, like just dig out the rot. Its become theatre...same play every night
Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)I really wish they wouldn't though, because I don't agree with a lot of what they're saying.
And, as a matter of fact, even less with much of what they're doing.
MoreGOPoop
(417 posts)Our base is massive. It should behoove our representatives to resist
Koch/Bank/Oil/MIC pay-off in the face of our numbers. There is a new
economy to be built, from the local level on up, by putting our taxes
into hiring workers to manufacture and install solar, wind and broadband
systems. As more and more Truth is leaked about our oiled climate, their
petro-dollars are worth less and less, anyway. I submit that the Democratic
Platform and many in the party do speak for me, but it is time for the others
to stand up and be counted.
H2O Man
(76,036 posts)I remain a registered member of the Democratic Party, but am not able to identify with the "leaders" -- elected and non-elected -- at the top. I am not represented, in any manner, by corporate politicians. Sadly, that includes both the state and national level.
For most of my adult life, I've been proud to consider myself a "Kennedy Democrat." I believe that JFK was the last US president of high quality. Still, my values are far more in line with what RFK represented in 1967-68. I'd note that it is not possible to accurately define him in the usual labels of "liberal" or "conservative." He went beyond that. Far beyond those restrictive definitions.
At this point, I believe that our nation must undergo the revolutionary change of values that Dr. King spoke of on April 4, 1967, in order to survive. And that can only become a reality from the grass roots up.
Great OP & thread. Thank you for this!
BlindTiresias
(1,563 posts)The number of good democrats dwindles every year, I am not sure what the future holds for the Democratic party overall.
Feral Child
(2,086 posts)It's apparently satisfying some people, since it continues to exist.
I don't feel that it speaks for me, however. I vote a straight Dem ticket because it isn't Republican.
If the Party continues to disregard the core issues of it's platform, I'll probably revisit that stance.
If it continues in it's downward spiral I'll probably abstain from voting. The two parties aren't indistinguishable yet, but the gap is certainly narrowing.
MerryBlooms
(11,903 posts)and the silence lately has been terribly disappointing.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)QC
(26,371 posts)How could Mario have fathered someone like that?
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Those that inherit great wealth often imagine themselves to be great achievers. They often have contempt for those of lesser achievement.
orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)rock
(13,218 posts)But do not act nearly aggressive enough in fulfilling their promises. But. of course, the repiggies do not speak for me at all!
orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)brooklynite
(96,882 posts)rather than mutter darkly on blogs about what a lousy job it and it's elected officials do, I talk to its officials and candidates about the issues I care about, and work to make it more representative in areas or concern.
orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)brooklynite
(96,882 posts)The head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee...
The head of the Democratic Governor's Association...
29 current US Senators (including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren)
4 Senate candidates
5 Governor candidates
3 House candidates (races close to me; we've pull out of the House campaign to support the Senate effort).
I talk issues of concern to me and many others: marriage equality; gun control; tax policy; foreign affairs; social security; banking reform...
Bottom line is that I understand the reality of getting things done and don't fret that everything on my list isn't happening immediately.
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)How can the rest of the 99% gain access to the Democratic Party elite? Is it just a matter of sending emails or making phone calls?
Thanks in advance.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)They don't exactly solicit your opinion.
brooklynite
(96,882 posts)...my wife and I are regular financial supporters; Senator Bennett of Colorado has called me directly to talk about issues and the state of the campaign.
Now, that means I don't stamp my foot and say "I'll never give them another penny" over some political issue; I balance the result of getting today's Democrats elected versus the alternative. I use my access to push a responsible and realistic Democratic agenda.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)They need to make commentary easy for both contributors and non-contributors. Maybe they could attract some contributors if we thought we could influence policy for the better.
Many of us have a problem with the rightward movement of the party. Based on the issues they are now to the right of what would be accurately thought of as centrist.
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)The kind of money that many of the rest of us 99%ers could afford to pitch in.
Not the big bucks.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Prices are going up. I will afford even less once they nail us with Chained CPI.
joshcryer
(62,513 posts)They're not really a driving force for the party in any significant way.
Response to joshcryer (Reply #128)
orpupilofnature57 This message was self-deleted by its author.
bigwillq
(72,790 posts)Starry Messenger
(32,376 posts)There are only two serious ones, if you are on one side or another on most issues, voting with one side is a means to keep the other side out.
Most of my political feels of solidarity come from my union, which also acknowledges that electing Democrats isn't really the whole point of elections, but to get candidates in that will be more friendly to working people than to corporations. The Democratic party itself is a mixed bag, but they mostly line up against the free-market agenda.
KG
(28,769 posts)Autumn
(46,976 posts)woo me with science
(32,139 posts)owned by the same people, who use them to keep us divided and unable to fight back.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)minivan2
(214 posts)I'm a registered democrat and I love Warren, but I agree with Sanders on a majority of issues.
RagAss
(13,832 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)It's a coalition.
Jim Lane
(11,175 posts)Maybe I'm quibbling over terms here -- but I can't say I'm disappointed overall because I never had very high expectations to begin with. I knew that neither Obama nor anyone else likely to win the nomination would, if elected, press for single-payer health care or any other significant progressive change.
I vote for Democrats to stop the most outrageous Republican excesses. In that, they usually don't disappoint me.
Algernon Moncrieff
(5,961 posts)My feelings about the party are hard to put into words, so I provide this movie clip as a metaphor:
Symbolically, the Republicans would be the Germans. The diverse group of everyone else would be the Democrats.
Nobody is symbolically Hillary Clinton or Elizabeth Warren. That's a different movie, Manny.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)LuvNewcastle
(17,079 posts)is it Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Algernon Moncrieff
(5,961 posts)grahamhgreen
(15,741 posts)joshcryer
(62,513 posts)That's highly disappointing. DU used to be much more versed politically than this.
merrily
(45,251 posts)So the poll does not tell you who has or has not read the platform.
Some of us have grown weary of being diverted by words and count only deeds.
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)And given that the platform lauds the TPP, I'm not sure that reading it will gain converts.
840high
(17,196 posts)RadicalGeek
(344 posts)I just hope the "Warren/Saunders" wing continues to grow!
bananas
(27,509 posts)Obama and Chomsky agree - Obama would be considered a moderate Republican
"Obama: I Would Be Considered Moderate Republican In 1980s - ABC News"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101793318
"Noam Chomsky: Obama Would Have Been Called a Moderate Republican in Recent Decades"
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/noam-chomsky-obama-would-have-been-called-moderate-republican-recent-decades
This is for todays 10,000 newbies:
orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)President or any other Dem after President Carter, pandering to the media did this .
Babel_17
(5,400 posts)Though some good, even great, things have been accomplished, I give credit in large part for that to activists, and people who just plain go out and vote, as much as I do our elected Democrats.
Given a choice between using the label "disappointing", and that of "a disaster", I chose "a disaster".
Prophet 451
(9,796 posts)Small praise, perhaps, but praise all the same.
Romulox
(25,960 posts)TBF
(34,951 posts)Pick a centrist party - either one.
It's not much of a choice.