General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLet's see how many Du'er truly support the Democratic Platform of Equality and etc....
Many do claim to support the Democratic Platform and its values... we shall see how deep that truly goes, and how dedicated to facing the truths which need to be faced in their details, to be a true and real supporter of the Democratic Ideals. It certainly is a matter that involves facing uncomfortable truths. there is much to deal with, to not be a divided group, and it takes facing that which is often neglected to be seen in details, to become the cohesive party, that is necessary to move the platform and its ideals forward.
Democrats support more government spending on social services while spending less on the military. They oppose the cutting of social services, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and various other welfare programs, believing it to be harmful to efficiency and social justice. They stand against gender bias, gender discrimination, gender inequality, racial bias, racial discrimination, and racial inequality. They stand for supporting our government agencies and respecting the civility within society and to promote civility in our governance systems and promoting diplomacy within the nation as well as internationally among its many values that make up its platform.
This means facing truths, that have long been avoided in discussion and pushed to the back burner and it means looking at the truths of what sums up to be involved in gender bias and gender abuse, as well as what is involved in racial bias and racial abuse. If one is not willing to truly look deeply into these things, then it weakens the Democratic Agenda and tries to water down its values.
It's time to face the music of the real truths... and be committed to the platforms agenda, not just as a 'happy go lucky saying", but to do so with open minded awareness of the things it stands against, and to do so is to not shy away from the details that make up the real truth of what exist in society and be fully driven to overcome and defeat such madness that infringes upon Democracy.
One has to know, if they stand strong only when its beneficial to them, while it still remains with limited support for the beneficial nature to others in a sense of true "equality". One can't want to cling to aspects of white privilege, and claim to be a true democrat, because such bias privilege is not a part of true equality.
https://upload.democraticunderground.com/100210594079
el_bryanto
(11,804 posts)Other than that, what is your suspicion about how many DUers support Equality? Most of them? Some of them? A handful?
Bryant
Civic Justice
(870 posts)there are too some who support to the extent it does not diminish their historical premise and process of white privilege... so, we need to be true within and of ourselves.. and it requires indulging to face the uncomfortable truths, and some of those truths are things some avoid investigating matters to find that truth.
Other posting by some have had comments where people, have acknowledged they saw or see with new eyes, things of white privilege they had not previously focused on, because it was common in their community, and they did not consider to see how it functioned in the general open society.
Truth seeing is an amazing things, it opens people eyes and minds to consider things they previously may have had less motivation or concern to consider and reconsider.
el_bryanto
(11,804 posts)I know that such arguments are by secret Conservatives.
Bryant
hueymahl
(2,449 posts)We definitely need a commission to root out the trolls among us. How else can we maintain the purity of thought on DU?
arthritisR_US
(7,283 posts)BS the trolls always push.
hueymahl
(2,449 posts)And everyone should be empowered to call out BS when they see it.
arthritisR_US
(7,283 posts)hueymahl
(2,449 posts)Are you going to take a poll? Measure the lumps on our heads? Create dossiers on each of us? Or are you just looking hear yourself speak?
Civic Justice
(870 posts)You should want to know for yourself, the same as every other Du'er.
In case one did not think to consider, there are those who are subversive in every website, and not only is Russian undermining real, so is there Right Wing plants in any site that claims itself to be Liberal and Democratic.
hueymahl
(2,449 posts)or Right Wing plant.
But that is not what your OP says.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)So youre getting challenged and alerted.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Thats not what theyre saying at all. Theyre urging that everyone do some self-reflecting and determine for yourself whether youre living up to what you believe.
No need to be so defensive.
hueymahl
(2,449 posts)And am a little cranky this morning. The post does not sit well with me. Most preachy, purity test posts don't.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)I actually find it an inspiring reminder of who we are as Democrats and how we can make sure that we, as individuals, can stay true to that.
I certainly dot see that as a bad thing...
hueymahl
(2,449 posts)I'm comfortable in my liberal bonafides, and I don't find it terribly helpful to be lectured about them. At best, it is a ridiculous statement, like telling everyone on a democratic board not to vote republican. At worst, it serves to smother speech, debate and free thinking by self-declaring what is acceptable thought. There is enough of that on this board already.
Vinnie From Indy
(10,820 posts)Cheers!
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)People on DU write from morning til night and back to morning what they think the Democratic Party is about and how Democrats should live up to it. Nobody complains.
UNTIL anyone says anything about race. And then folk get their shorts all in a wad, whine about being lectured or questioned or supposedly being called racist and then start with the youre being divisive crap.
Nobody is smothering anything. You are not being victimized or picked on or challenged or abused. And your reaction is exactly what the OP is trying, ever so gently, to encourage people to take a closer look at.
Theres nothing quite like watching liberals who claim they are so all about racial equality, justice and fairness turn into little snowflakes and clap their hands over their ears, yelling IM NOT LISTENING TO YOU!!! the minute someone tries to talk about what those things actually mean and, God forbid, suggests how we can all do better in those areas - because we ALL can do better and saying we can doesnt mean anyone is attacking you.
Civic Justice
(870 posts)Last edited Wed May 9, 2018, 04:07 PM - Edit history (2)
I noticed this from the short time I've been on this site.
I will NOT write to pander to that silliness... those who can face the inquiry of self will, those who can't won't..... but we can certainly see much about why this party gets splintered so quick and some get swayed by Right Wing Drama and Independent and Libertarian spins and spills.
We also can't forget that some who make claim as democrats, are too those who come from long ago, democrats even before the southern democrats moved over to the Republican party. As we do know from history, it was such southern democrats who fought fiercely against Civil Rights, but they did not fight alone, because there were many non southern democrats that sided with the southern democrats.
History has many truths within it.... its time we shake the trees and get the real truth on the table, and face the reality of it... if we expect to move the Democratic Agenda Forward as a Party.
I care very little about being distracted by those who come to attack, I deal with a mass of that on citi-data, and it never deterred me, and those attacks on citi-data were often from Right Winger's who can't deal with and resent in every way, "self review" to face their own racist and bigoted mentality. Thus so, any of such encountered here, is not something I will make my problem, as in silencing me...
Being open eyed with a mind that engages to encompass perspectives, it is without a doubt, there are some here that detest anything that will bring them out of their comfort zone of denial of the racist madness that reverberates in this society. many people, not just republican still live in predominantly white communities, and the influences of what is a predominantly white community is still real.
The elements of racism did not vanish, the same as the long ingrained ideals of Jim Crow Ideology, has not vanished, some may have been diluted in some ways, but it has not complete been vanquished, not in Republican and not in all who claim to be Democrats, and not in all who claim to be Independents, not in all who claim to be Libertarians... So... no one should be under any delusions about what we are truly dealing with...
Therefore, as a web claimed to be devoted to Democratic Principles, if it is too weak to address race in this website, then it can easily be swayed by the craftiness of the Right Wing Machines, and even the swipes that the Independent spokes person has made at and against the Democratic Party.
The title of the post was correct as it was written... and the variations in the comments reflect what it posed in statement.
brer cat
(24,524 posts)hueymahl
(2,449 posts)And I have never asserted or implied I was "being victimized or picked on or challenged or abused." But nice straw man.
But clearly I have struck a nerve with you:
You lecture people constantly about race and privilege. There is no denying it is a huge issue in society and even on this board. But I will tell you that you have no idea about me. What race I am, what gender, what orientation, what country I am from, what I do for a living, if I have kids, am rich, am poor. For all you know, I could be a Russian agent. So could you.
So spare me the personal attacks. The snowflake smear. The comparing me to the terrible liberals straw man you so carefully built. It does not help your cause (which I happen to agree with, though I generally disagree with your methods).
Peace.
P.s. I did not view the OP as one primarily about race. That is the filter you see things through.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)speaking.
Marengo
(3,477 posts)EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)While I certainly appreciate your advice on how and when I should use particular types of grammar, no thanks - Im good.
Marengo
(3,477 posts)They in an inadvisable context is deliberate and not comparable to a typo.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)It's Time to face the music of the real truths and be committed to the platforms agenda.
Just awesome. Thanks!
Welcome to DU!
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)So, this is just your opinion,
and to back it up you want us to read more of your thoughts on yet another of your posts?
Uh, nope.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Perfectly understandable position given that DU is not the appropriate place for anyone to express their opinions.
Gotcha.
moriah
(8,311 posts)Then again, we have posters who always title their comment with the first sentence of their post and duplicate it, etc.
It's outside of the "usual" DU posting style, but who said we had to be "usual" here?
I suspect LoC would do better to address any actual concerns they might have about the OP himself rather than their content in a private message to the Most Intelligent and Resourceful team, though. That's about as much a rule as anything else.
Ok
Tom Rinaldo
(22,911 posts)But none the less they do serve a constructive purpose in minimizing misunderstandings that deflect from accepting the accurate thrust of an important message. I am glad you are making these posts. I have been greatly heartened of late to find genuine inter racial discussions on race here on Democratic Underground. What you write here I find wholly positive. While I agree also with the piece that you link to, I think at points it could be even more effective with the inclusion of a few more of those cumbersome disclaimers I mention above.
There is too much irrefutable evidence supporting the generalizations that you note about the role played by white men in society to object to those observations being made. But, for example, it is also fair to point out that misogyny is not an exclusively Caucasian affliction, and that many white men have given their lives to and for the cause of a more just society for all. Having said that, carry on.
Vinnie From Indy
(10,820 posts)I am slightly amused by this silly post.
average_mo_dem
(37 posts)with your interpretation of the Democratic Platform.
Marengo
(3,477 posts)Amishman
(5,554 posts)I still support Democrats and overlook the lesser differences in opinion, as overall I believe it is the best path.
Supporting Democrats does not mean blind obedience.
brer cat
(24,524 posts)Thank you, and welcome to DU.
JustAnotherGen
(31,781 posts)sheshe2
(83,654 posts)Thank you, Civic Justice.
Eliot Rosewater
(31,106 posts)kinds of unwanted "attention."
If on the other hand you want that kind of attention, good for you. I dont even use the W word anymore, when I do I am SWARMED.
Thanks again for this insightful post.
dameatball
(7,395 posts)It was worth the time it took to read all of it. I'm not sure how it does anything about plants or trolls, since I doubt they will read it, but I get the drift. Self examination never hurts.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)and the party platform. Two of the best I have seen in my lifetime.
That said, the platform is a guideline. A playbook if you will. Members are allowed to call audibles on their own. It's necessary in order to keep the coalition going. Trying to fit tens of millions of people into a written instrument will not work.
I have a long history of yelling at the party. I hold the right to do so again. I have never been a big party person like I am today. I am only that way because of the direction of the platform.
sheshe2
(83,654 posts)fescuerescue
(4,448 posts)10%? 50%? 90%?
Just curious what you think should be done about them.
Exotica
(1,461 posts)so I guess these are NOT Democrats in your definition?
Senate Passes $700 Billion Pentagon Bill, More Money Than Trump Sought
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/us/politics/senate-pentagon-spending-bill.html
WASHINGTON In a rare act of bipartisanship on Capitol Hill, the Senate passed a $700 billion defense policy bill on Monday that sets forth a muscular vision of America as a global power, with a Pentagon budget that far exceeds what President Trump has asked for.
Senators voted 89-9 to approve the measure, known as the National Defense Authorization Act; the House has already adopted a similar version.
The vote marked the 56th consecutive year that Congress has passed the defense policy bill a point of personal pride for Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, and who has spent the past week shepherding the bill on the Senate floor as he battles brain cancer.
In arguing for the increased funding, Mr. McCain cited a string of recent deadly accidents involving the military, including a collision last month between an oil tanker and the destroyer John S. McCain, named for the senators father and grandfather. Ten sailors were killed and five others injured.
snip
60% Of House Democrats Vote For A Defense Budget Even Bigger Than Trump's
https://www.forbes.com/sites/eriksherman/2017/07/14/most-house-democrats-just-voted-for-a-defense-budget-far-bigger-than-trumps/#23c09f916ea0
When income inequality combines with systemic and systematic redistribution of virtually all income growth to the wealthiest while their taxes are reduced, you've got a budget problem. People increasingly need help as the median household income remains flat, even as costs rise. Either you can literally write off the lives of poorer people, as the healthcare "reform" bills from the House and Senate effectively do, or you need to find ways to reduce other spending.
The single biggest section of the discretionary portion of the budget is military spending. For years the Pentagon has been incapable of fiscal responsibility. This is the body that, according to news reports last fall, tried to hide $125 billion in wasted spending over a five year program. It's the only agency in the entire federal government still unable to pass a financial audit. And it's handed the largest check even as the Cold War is long over, no other country has our military power, and major new weapons systems have been outright disasters and money sinks.
But big companies that make billions and billions of dollars a year shovel contributions at congressional representatives because it's a great investment. All that income only required $11 million in 2016 donations, with 38% going to Democrats and 62% to Republicans, according to OpenSecrets.org.
For the 2017 fiscal year that ends on September 30, the Obama budget called for $582.7 billion, which included a base budget of $523.9 billion and the "overseas contingency operations (OCO) budget" of $58.8 billion. The Trump administration wanted to add about $54 billion. As the Defense Department's own budget numbers showed, it requested $574.5 billion in base budget and $64.6 billion in OCO for a total of $639.1 billion.
Ah, the pikers. Today, the House passed a $696.5 billion defense bill that makes Trump's look positively reasonable in comparison. There have been indications the House would insist on more spending than the White House did. The final vote by party is or maybe it's should be surprising. A huge number of Democrats voted for the measure.
There are currently 240 Republicans and 194 Democrats in the body, with 1 vacancy. Out of the Republicans, 227 voted in favor and 8 voted against this bill, making 230, with 10 apparently missing in action. Of the 194 Democrats, 117 voted for the bill and 73 voted against, with 4 not voting. In other words, of the party that supposedly opposes rampant military spending and the Trump administration, 60% voted for this bill.
snip
jus sayin'