The DemocraticUnderground can say things the Democratic Party cannot say.

[Dragonfli]

378. IMO those that think I'm required to get on board with policies that I hate and have consistently

opposed AS a Democrat for many years should chastise their children. Either argue logically for rendition or whatever I oppose (I doubt I'll agree) and there may be debate (even hard hitting doesn't bother me) but that is all they get, demanding my loyalty or chastising me for having a consistent opposition to bad policy, they don't get, no 180s on demand.

I am a grown citizen, registered in the party over thirty years, if I find issues like indefinite detention, extraordinary rendition, attacks on whistleblowers, cuts to the safety net, Heritage/Romney/ObamaCare, etc. unsupportable, I will not (and don't actually) support them. I will also not be shy in openly opposing them here, just as I have openly since they were Bush policies. In regards to the health plan, I have opposed that Heritage Foundation shit sandwich since it was the Heritage/Newt/Dole plan in '93, not here obviously because here didn't exist then but consistently.

So far, they can't force anything else, some still demand blind issue loyalty but you get to tell them to pound sand - they don't run the place. Same goes with politician loyalty, they may demand, but you don't have to blindly agree with any one Democrat on every issue, in the case of right wing Democrats I oppose them on almost all financial and trade policies sometimes.

Where it starts to concerns me, and I think you as well, is that we can not be so sure during election season - if criticising a bad policy put forth by the Democrat will get you a granite pizza or not that is a question. I feel secure that I can support his position, oppose the Republican position or even remain silent - but criticizing the Democratic candidate's position openly on an issue or certainly agreeing with the R's position on an issue is risky here at best.

I am concerned but can understand and live with that during elections, but only because a .7 on the less evil scale is still better than the usual 1.1 on the Republican more evil area of the scale and in the end one of two bad choices WILL win.

I just hope that not voting for a particular Democrat on a ticket because I feel he is really a Republican in policy, while voting Democratic on most of the ticket will keep me safe because that's all I can promise. Hell I may even vote third party or I in some spots.

I think that if I don't use this forum to promote the non-Democrat or oppose his (Democrat in name only) opponent it should still be my vote. My vote disclosed after the election should not be grounds for banning. Some talk like it is, like there is a post election full ticket loyalty test and if I don't pass it they feel it's a banning offense, I didn't used to be. I hope it stays that way.