My diagnoses of what ails our party.
This started out as a reply to McCamy Taylor's OP Do We Disrespect Rural America?.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028305817
As it grew It became obvious that it should be it's own thread.
My household may be the only one in our precinct to not vote for 'Rump. Only 'Rump supporters gave outward support with voice and signage. It is the most amazing thing to me that the more the 'Pukes' policies hurt certain groups the more they thing it is caused by the Democrats.
The 'Pukes had an autopsy report that said they should reach out to POC. Well here's my report; if the Democratic party is going to be effective in the future we need to be true to our name which originates from "the late 16th cent.: from French démocratie, via late Latin from Greek dēmokratia, from dēmos ‘the people’ + -kratia ‘power, rule.’ ". If the 'Pukes have written off people of color we as a party have written off rural people and, really, The vast middle of the nation. It is great that the Pacific coast is solid for us and the North East Atlantic states but that is not America.
Those who disregard rural and middle state voters do at their own peril. While it may feel good to vocally or tweet disrespect to us as racists hill billies and nannies what happens is that many will turn to those who offer a modicum of respect for solace. If we are the party of the people (demos) we need to walk that talk. If not we should change our name to glitteraticrats.
'Rump hit a nerve when he suggested that our party just gives lip service to African Americans to get their vote without offering real benefits. If there wasn't a grain of truth it would not be effective. He has mined those weak places where our party has chosen to talk the talk but not walk the walk.
Back to rural voters; We will never get all the rural voters because a significant number are not true rural people. I have neighbors who moved to the "country" for several 'Pukian" ideals, lower taxes and because they really don't like people. We will never get their vote. Farmers used to be a bastion of democratic thought should be in our camp. As they have become more business savvy they have moved into the, "get rid of regulations and we will all prosper camp." To get them back we need to show them real support. They do feed and clothe us.
We need to really look at how our party lost its backbone, rural, blue collar and minorities. While some of these groups still lean democratic many are not energized to vote dependable in local, state and national elections.