I am a Democrat from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party...

[Ford_Prefect]

12. I am forever fascinated with those who claim to be party purists yet deny the value of those pols

who lead on significant issues of the day rather than by dramatically parroting dogma or patronizing powerful leadership and sponsors. I wonder how Henry Wallace or Harry Truman would fare in the hyper PC sensitive, poll driven optics of today? FDR drew from both sides of the aisle and broadly among political outsiders when building a government to face the worst of financial oppression and world tyranny.

For myself I see that we cannot go forward by circumspection. We must apply reason and reality check our goals. If we do not apply this common sense to evaluate our purpose and the process by which it must move forwards there will be no reason for those who most need our leadership in government to exert the fortitude needed to vote in some of the most contentious districts and electoral climate since 1860.

I would say that those who claim faith in the party of FDR must first read how that party came to be in all its inglorious incongruity. I am a product of the FDR, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson and Carter Party. I have sincere regrets over some of the actions of all of them.

I have my doubts about some of Bill Clinton's lesser choices and likewise feel that Obama let us down on some issues. I expected better of both of them. That doesn't mean they did not advance the Democratic cause nor did I refuse to vote for either man.

If you cannot face the issues related to our collective future without claiming party privilege by virtue of dogmatic labeling then you have no place contribute from. You are not dealing with the genuine issues but instead you cite the hubris of presumed moral superiority. We need people involved who are and have been taking on the real issues and who can add something to the discussion of how to address them.

We cannot afford to pretend that Politics as usual in any form will take us forwards. We must be bold and pragmatic. That is what repeatedly has won the day in the face of racist terrorism on the right and pathetic appeals to the pretense of "patriotism". Everyday voters are ever so tired of having the reality they see every day ignored in Congress and elsewhere. They need a political voice that speaks the sometimes ugly truth on the issues so that no-one in Flint, Michigan or any other town needs to worry about the water in their pipes while they are trying to find enough income to feed their families. They need a government that is willing to deliver on promises of better managing the planet: the air, the food, the water, and the overall ecology. They need politicians and federal agencies who are looking out for the future of ALL of the voters rather than those who own most of the GNP. We can no longer tolerate endless war, in ANY form. We need foreign policy that relates to a world already collapsing under the advancing pressures brought by climate change: even the Pentagon said so.

The only way this canoe goes forward is that everyone with a paddle rows. Anyone without makes sure there are more paddles and rowers ready. That is what we must do. Throwing resources and people out because you don't like the coat they are wearing is wasting energy and time we don't have.