What is a democrat?

[telamachus]

I have always considered myself a democrat but I have voted for some republicans who were running unopposed in local elections because I knew them personally and they did a great job. I have also not voted for a democratic challenger because they were not better than the republican in the race.

I like to think of my self as a free thinker and on most issues I strongly agree with the democrats position.

I believe that/in:

The environment should be a priority
Fair taxes
Democracy
Peace
War as a last resort
Assistance to those who really need it
Public education (we home school and we pay property taxes)
Universal health care
Social Security (with the right to save more pre tax income)
Adult responsible use of drugs
Fair and free trade
The UN is a positive institution
The right to organize a union and strike
Living wages
Equal rights for all
Marriage is NOT just between a man and woman
Religion is more positive than negative

But I do not believe in:

Gun control
Welfare as we know it
Abortion as birth control

Am I a democrat? If not then what am I? Who defines what a democrat is?

[ConservativeDemocrat]

1. Believe me: You're a Democrat.

You fall squarely in the middle of the party, actually.

- C.D.

[Cleita]

2. A democrat is a patriotic American who thinks his

leaders should honor the Constitution. Anyone else is a traitor and should be tried for treason. Are all you lurking freepers reading this. A true Patriot believes in the Constitution and that the President of the United States should also be held accountable to it.

[Cheswick2.0]

3. It makes more sense to vote party

if you are a democrat and think their policies are superior. Voting party ensures that democrats will be in control of the debate in congress.

You are a democrat, you are just confused about stategy IMO.

[telamachus]

6. Is it a strategy

to vote for a local (city, county, state) democrat if they, for various reasons, are not the best choice. It seems that the strategy you suggest assumes that all democrats are mindless partisans.

The strategy for the democrats should be to develop a base that will bring in the largest number of voters. I have seen many post on DU that would suggest that the democratic party is only the party of the pro choice, anti religion, and gun control crowd. Recent postings on this supposedly inclusive progressive board has really turned me off and many others that I know. I have stayed with it because in the end I hope that democrats can develop a broader base without alienating those who probably are more democrats than republicans.

This is why I ask 'what is a democrat' or better yet 'who are we and what do we truly all agree on'?

[Warpy]

4. Free and fair trade? Abortion as birth control?

Good gawd.

Free and fair trade means the continued export of jobs. There is no way an American paid in dollars can compete with a third world worker paid a living wage in a devalued currency. How about free trade with targeted tariffs to protect American workers? How about targeted tariffs to protect esssential industries? If we don't do this, we're going to be SCREWED in the next war.

Speaking of screwed, abortion is never birth control. It's for when birth control has failed, or for when a selfish male has adamantly refused to take responsibility and wear a condom, or has lied that he's had a vasectomy. It's self defense and none of your or my business.

[telamachus]

5. clarification

as for trade I am not protectionist I believe in free and fair living for all citizens of the world not just the USA.

You are quite wrong about the birth control issue. Abortion is considered the world number one method for preventing birth. It is of course an issue that has become a political one. I find it quite disturbing that some would blame only the male for being responsible for birth control in the case of rape I do feel that abortion may be a valid choice.

'when a selfish male has adamantly refused to take responsibility and wear a condom, or has lied that he's had a vasectomy' this comment assumes that female are somehow not in control of who has sex with them and I find it demeaning to women as it pushes a stereotype of weak defenseless women. Think about it. If a woman does not want to have sex and the man forces himself on her it is called rape not irresponsibility.


I ask can one be a democrat and not support the 'right' of a person to use abortion as birth control? (preventing the unwanted birth not pregnancy)

[RUDUing2]

7. short answer that sums it up for me..

a democrat is someone who would rather see:

99 people *cheat* the system then 1 child go hungry

99 people get medicaid/medicare who could afford private health care then see 1 person denied that needs it.

99 people have elective abortions then 1 person be forced to carry a child of rape, incest or with a non-viable medical condition to term

99 people who committed a crime go free then 1 innocent person go to jail

99 murderers not get the death penalty then 1 innocent person be given the death penalty

and a republican is one who would rather see:

99 people go hungry then 1 person cheat the system

99 people be denied medicaid/medicare then 1 person get it who could afford private insurance

99 innocent people go to jail then 1 guilty person go free

99 innocent people be given the death penalty then 1 guilty person not get the death penalty

99 people be forced to carry a child of rape or incest or with a non-viable medical condtion to term, then 1 person have an elective abortion....

[m berst]

8. and which of those describes you? n/t

[RUDUing2]

10. ?

[m berst]

11. a simple question

You posted two lists. Which of the two do you agree with?

[RUDUing2]

12. a flaming liberal democrat...

[m berst]

14. flaming?

"99 people *cheat* the system then 1 child go hungry."

Most enlightened Democrats would see cheating and children going hungry as part of the same system, not an either/or situation. How would people be "cheating the system" in your imagined scenario here? When is feeding a child "cheating?" Or are you saying the cheating would occur in lieu of a child being fed?

"99 people get medicaid/medicare who could afford private health care then see 1 person denied that needs it."

This seems like another false dichotomy here. In both instances you are basing your supposed Democratic stance on a very Republican idea - that there is somehow a system of "handouts" inevitable in providing healthcare and in the feeding of children that people will be "cheating" on.

What does cheating have to do with providing basic human needs like food and healthcare?

[RUDUing2]

15. I am showing my age here...

this is a left over from Ronald Reagans presidency..and that of Bush1...the idea that welfare fraud was rampant and that welfare queens were riding around in cadillacs while living off the public dole...

Many repubs still believe that and are so sure that it is true that they would rather kids go hungry then let *welfare queens* get rich off the system.....

[m berst]

16. an admission

I have to admit that the way you phrased things in your post, as well as your username - "are you du-ing too?" created suspicion in my mind that you were being disingenuous.

"...welfare fraud was rampant and that welfare queens were riding around in cadillacs while living off the public dole..."

That is all wink-wink code talk for vicious racial hatred. It has nothing to do with Democrat versus Republican or feeding children or providing healthcare. The Republicans found clever ways to engage and enflame racial hatred and give it cover and legitimacy, all for the purpose of winning elections and gaining power. There isn't any "philosophy" or ideology behind it.

"Many repubs still believe that and are so sure that it is true that they would rather kids go hungry then let *welfare queens* get rich off the system....."

You aren't describing Republicans. You are describing bigots who happen to vote Republican.

[Doohickie]

9. I'm only willing to go for 94

instead of the full 99. What does that make me?

[superconnected]

13. I'm sorry but having watching the election and the issues

Someone whose IQ is 100 or above.

[telamachus]

17. why stop at 99?

I guess I am not a democrat