Name one thing you disagree with the Democrats about.

[Joe Kerr]

Probably all of us here have at least one issue over which we part ways from the Democrat Party. What's yours?

[Walt Starr]

1. Gun Control

and that single issue does more damage to the Democratic Party than any other issue.

[Zorra]

21. Walt, is there some official Democratic Party position on gun legislation,

that I'm not aware of, or do you think painting the Democratic Party as the party of gun "control" has become more of a RW talking point than anything else?

I know that there a very few Dem legislators and Dem party members out there that support excessive firearms legislation, but in general, IMO, most Democrats see unreasonable legislation regarding firearms as a violation of our civil liberties.

Particularly considering the recent overwhelming loss of so many of our rights resulting from this big government police state that is rapidly being forced upon us by the republicans.

I am a lifetime (Yellowdog) Democrat that has always supported gun ownership in the spirit (mainly protecting ourselves from a tyrannical government) intended by the founders of this country, and know a lot of other Dems that feel the same.

Whatever, I definitely agree with you that the perception of the Democratic Party as the Party of "gun control" does more damage to the Democratic Party than any other issue.

[Walt Starr]

24. For the most part, the Party deserves it

Most Democratic leaders don't speak out when some go overboard on it.

[MrSandman]

81. In the 2004 Platform...

The position was to protect the 2nd Amendment for hunting rights. The Platform was in favor of renewal of the AWB.

Didn't Gore advocate creation of FOID cards in the 2000 debates?

[Walt Starr]

84. I opposed renewal of the AWB

as it was asinine.

[MrSandman]

85. As did I,....

But in the platform, both major parties supported it.

[Walt Starr]

86. I didn't realize the Republicans did

damned surprising, that!

[MrSandman]

87. Bush promised he would sign it...

Even in the 2000 campaign.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Joe Kerr]

35. I'll change it.

OK.

[Joe Kerr]

36. "You can't edit this message because the editing period has expired."

Too late.

[LaPera]

42. What a loaded fucking question! Divide & conquer...

What do you suggest if we "part ways" take the republican position?

This is complete bullshit...an effort to point a negative finger at the Democrats...Give us something negative about the democrats...

What a disgusting worm of a question...

What's your fucking point for asking the question?

As you hit and then run....

[Joe Kerr]

46. "What do you suggest if we 'part ways' take the republican position?"

Not every position that disagrees with the basic Democratic platform is a "republican position." Many times both parties take the same side of an issue and furthermore, don't many issues have more than two sides?

[LaPera]

49. And what do you part ways about? Won't answer your own question?

Come on, give your answer, to your question!

You want democrats to do your dirty work for you....Having Democrats pointing a negative finger at their own party.

What is the point of your question?

[Joe Kerr]

68. All right.

"Come on, give your answer, to your question!"

Those commas are unnecessary, by the way.

For one, I think that many of them are not as nature-friendly as they make themselves out to be. Case in point, wind-powered energy generators failed in MA because of fears that the windmills'd be too ugly.

[cestpaspossible]

90. Could you document your 'case in point'? Did it happen? Can it be

blamed on 'the Democrats'? Details and links please...

[Joe Kerr]

91. Among them Teddy Kennedy.

Yeah, well...

This is the program: http://www.vma.cape.com/~relweb/Wind%20Power.htm

You'll notice it says: "Currently there is a 420 megawatt off shore wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound by Cape Wind Associates. This project has been the center of much controversy."

They don't really go into detail but anecdotally I can tell you that the controversy was centered around Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard landowners who were worried that the windmills would cheapen the view from their property. I'll see if I can find any more legitimate news source then my say-so...

[cestpaspossible]

96. That is an absolutely untrue charge against Ted Kennedy.

His name doesn't even appear on the webpage you list.



Your supposed 'case-in-point' is pure bs. You've completely mischaracterized.

If anyone is interested in Kennedy's actual position on the Cape Wind project, here is the op-ed he wrote on the subject for Cape Cod Times:

Create a national wind energy policy

[Joe Kerr]

97. The opinion piece you linked to backs me up.

Kennedy's against the wind farms.

[cestpaspossible]

98. Only if you mischaracterize it as you are doing.

This is the untrue charge that you leveled:

For one, I think that many of them are not as nature-friendly as they make themselves out to be. Case in point, wind-powered energy generators failed in MA because of fears that the windmills'd be too ugly


That just isn't true. It's blatantly false in every way. The project hasn't "failed" it is undergoing the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (you know
, an Environmental Impact Statement, that thing that industry loves to hate) and Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act.

Apparently the backers of the project don't think it's been defeated since they just announced a financing deal.

So your underlying premise is undisputably false.

And your charge that Kennedy is against wind farms in general (implied) and Cape Wind in particular because 'it would be too ugly' is also simply untrue. Kennedy lists some of the issues around Cape Wind but that just is not something he says.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bluestateguy]

4. Gun Control

And not just for political reasons, it's horribly bad public policy.

[LaPera]

45. And what is the Democrat's position on "Gun Control"? Do you even

know what it is? Does anybody?

Let's hear it and I'm sure you'll be wrong...Like most, you'll give the Republican & the medias version of what the Democrat's position on gun control is...

Which is complete bullshit! You want the Democrats position, find out for yourself.

http://www.democrats.org/

[sendero]

74. The platform..

... still includes the "assault weapons" ban, and that is bad enough.

[Walt Starr]

79. I always had a problem with that one

Banning a weapon because it's scary looking, but allowing a weapon with identical functionality that doesn't look as scary is pretty asinine, IMO.

[progressivejazz]

5. People who claim to be Democrats who are...

trying to find new ways to slam the Democratic Party.

Those Democrats piss me off.

[Roland99]

6. How about you go first?

[wtmusic]

9. Heh.."the Democrats"

should have given me a clue, especially since I've been here on "the Democratic Underground" for a while now

[Bluebear]

18. At least sometimes they come right out and admit it

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3787905#3788113

[Joe Kerr]

38. I wonder how he would describe Democrats.

My point in that thread is that his description of "Republicans" is a description of me.

[Bluebear]

41. If you identify yourself as such, why are you here?

[Joe Kerr]

48. That's how HE described Republicans.

Are there no others here who are "for fiscal responsibility, a strong middle class (which drives spending and strengthens the economy), a strong military used sparingly, and personal responsibility rather than an all encompassing safety net?"

[Joe Kerr]

51. I hope[d] to see the issue I disagree with the party on mentioned here.

I'm worried that people here will think I'm some kind of "freeper" infiltrator. I'm not a gun owner, so I'm not too concerned about that, although I can see how that issue might lend some votes to the Republicans.

[Joe Kerr]

52. BTW

Can you tell me what a "freeper" is?

[Joe Kerr]

53. And P.S.

No snarkyness please, I just want a definition, not some retort about how I'd have to live in a cave or something to not know this.

[Roland99]

63. Sorry...I gotta call shenanigans on this one.

[Joe Kerr]

69. It's obviously used to mean a conservative or Republican.

Well, I guess I'm just looking for the etymology of it.

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[I Have A Dream]

72. I'm new here, and I didn't know what "freeper" meant initally.

Joe - I hope you're on the level. If you really are a moderate, then you have value here. If you aren't, then I don't know what to say. Your sig line does make me wonder though.

I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.

Please just understand that many people who dislike us try to cause trouble here.

Everyone - I truly am a progressive, so I hope that you don't flame me for this post.

[Joe Kerr]

78. I'm not talking about just any old registered Democrat.

I don't have a signature as far as I know.

It would be silly to ask the average Democrat voter what they disliked about average Democrat voters. I'm talking about the party as an abstract entity and any of its positions aren't square with any of you, as some of them aren't with me. Does the question have to be interpreted as an attack on such individuals who find their personal ideologies to be completely in line with the party platform?

[blm]

57. Lotsa Dems/libs are damn good hunters/shooters. Many went into military

to use their skills.

Too bad so many Republican ELITIST MONEYGRUBBERS can't say the same.

[gmaki]

7. The fact that they aren't in ALL OUT revolt.

By that I mean the fact that they show up and cunduct business as usual while this administration commits crimes against America daily.

There have been many occasions when the dems could have and SHOULD have walked out of Congress, walked out of every public post they hold, and refused to participate in these crimes any longer.

A few that come to mind are: the vote to authorize the war, Texas redistricting, and recently the filibuster "nuclear" thing.

Yes it would leave the repubs running everything, but then again they already are. This way though they (repukes) would inarguably be responsible for 100% of everything going wrong, and the Dems could return later on with their dignity and reputations still intact as well as the knowlege that they did the right thing.

[The Witch]

8. Gun control, legalization, and the funny thing is

...both of those are issues I have changed my position on since I became more involved with politics. When I was younger, my knee-jerk response was that "I have personally seen how much marijuana can fuck up people's lives, I would never touch it, therefore I can't count myself as pro-legalization." That and "Guns kill people, that's the whole point, I can't see myself as defending people's rights to own guns."

Then I got involved with politics and the blogs and started realizing "Guess what, Witch? It's not all about YOU!"

Which isn't to say that the Democratic platform is selfish. It's infinitely more selfless than the Republican platform, which is why I consider myself a proud Democrat.

(Although Nader was so good on C-SPAN this morning, it makes me want to learn more...)

[BillZBubb]

10. I don't think the Democrats should let freepers ask questions.

We in the "Democrat" party are too nice.

[bicentennial_baby]

13. Agreed

So damn obvious, aren't they?

[Tinoire]

47. LMAO

I was going to be a bit more subtle about it but lol, I read your post and have to support you!

[blondeatlast]

60. But--he doesn't know what a "freeper" is, silly! Don't be so harsh on

the innocent!

:sarcasm:

[DebJ]

11. allowing Lieberman and Landrieu (spel) to claim they are Dems.

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. They're wimpass chickenshits.

Afraid to stand up to the repukes.

[Bluebear]

14. Oh, you start.

What do YOU disagree with "the Democrats" about?

:popcorn:

[socal_dan]

15. Rackie war

Dun't seem like they got their guns right... they oughtta be with-holding votes til they get an exit plan.

I think they should be on the offense, not the defense when dealing with repubes. Can't say they're all doing that, maybe some... but a 75 year old house member has been leading the pack... on everything? While that's admirable of Conyers, seems a little funny that he's the only big gun around.

[efhmc]

16. Agreed on all issues except helping to get us into bush's war.

[Bluebear]

17. Joe Kerr = Joker, oh I get it!!!

Wow subtle!

But in all seriousness, I disagree with the Democrats that they don't call Bush the dim draft dodging closet case that he really is.

[EFerrari]

54. I must be misunderstanding "subtle"

:)

[Just Me]

19. Why? Our enemy is the neoCON corporacrat regime.

They are repealing the whole 20th century.

Why not focus on that regime which has exploited humanity?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. Iraq. Out NOW! One of many.

[Rex]

22. They are as greedy as the Repukes!

As petty and dishonest. Still, I will always hold out hope (because I'm stupid). If Paul Wellstone called himself a Dem then there must be hope.

[iconoclastic cat]

23. I disagree publicly undermining a coherent message.

[efhmc]

25. BTW, IT is called the DEMOCRATIC Party. On the other side is the repuke

party. (Added this for you since you are new.)

[Joe Kerr]

50. I tried to edit it, but I was too slow.

I think I've been sufficiently castigated for typing too fast.

[Ignoramus]

26. Unity with Republicans in establishing a totalitarian empire.

[OrlandoGator]

27. No question: Gun control.

The only reason the Republicans were able to take Congress in 1994 was because of the passage of the Assault Weapons Ban.

[tenshi816]

28. The Democrat Party?

Sorry, don't know that one. If it's the Democratic Party you're referring to, I'd have to say I'd be happier if we learned how to fight as low-down and dirty as the Republicans do, but that probably won't happen because, unlike Republicans, the Democratic Party is made up of principled people who believe in fair play.

I disagree with the Democratic Party for dealing with the Republicans as if they possess qualities like honor and integrity, which is foolish because (except for a tiny, tiny minority), the Republican party is full of snakes and weasels.

I disagree with the Democratic Party when it fails to admit that the Republican party of Dwight Eisenhower has been taken over by a frightening mixture of ignorant lowlifes, neo-cons and religious fanatics.

But I do believe that things are going to change, oh yes I do.

[efhmc]

30. Love your answer and the picture.

[tenshi816]

43. Thanks

for the kind words. As for the picture, I spend waaay too much time playing with Photoshop.

[geniph]

94. I was going to make my own post,

but then I noticed tenshi816 had already said everything I was thinking. Thanks, tenshi816.

By the way, Joe Kerr, if you want to fly under the radar and still stir up shit, it's a big red flag to say "Democrat" party. Big.

[readmylips]

29. Not having outstanding talking heads, especially blonds....

the only person I see on TV is that Brazil woman. She's not a good spokes person and she's not what white people listen to; they listen to beautiful blonds. Sexist or not, we need beatufiul, out spoken women on TV.

In my family, (mostly republicans), they quickly turn the channel when a black person is speaking, especially if it's about politics.

[XemaSab]

34. You're right

the pugs have all the bimbos.

[Individualist]

31. You first, Joker nt

[Zen Democrat]

32. The "War on Drugs" for one.

Not standing up for universal, single-payer healthcare, is another. Their support of the new bankrupty law is three.

[SmokingJacket]

33. Nope -- I think the democrats ROCK!!!

:toast:

[OnionPatch]

37. Guns

I've seen it chase away an amazing number of men from our party. It just isn't worth it. I wish we would chuck it and start vigorously defending the right to bear arms.

[blm]

39. The Dem party won't call Repubs what they are: liars, murderers & perverts

I disagree. I believe they should be called what they are....and don't leave out ROBBER BARONS and FASCISTS.

[LaPera]

55. No, Joe Biden just defends the republicans when a democrat says the truth

[Hubert Flottz]

40. Globalization!

The trashing of America for the sake of a buck!

[sweetheart]

44. Drugs war

The drugs war is the most socially divisive thing the dems have
backed, and it has destroyed inner cities and made a travesty of
justice.

[EFerrari]

56. Probably all of us here have at least one issue over which

we disagree with our mothers.

Would we try to start a riot over it? :eyes:

Name one thing that you're grateful to the Democratic Party for. I'll go first:

We are the welcoming heart of this nation.

[saltpoint]

58. Traditional frontloading of primary schedules to favor mainstream --

-- candidates.

Would prefer a leaner, regional primary system led by people such as Frank Mankiewicz, Bill Moyers, Alexis Herman, Congresswoman Stubbs, Senator Boxer, etc.

[blondeatlast]

59. Perhaps you can read through the GD forums before you ask such

a blatantly explosive question.

The answers are all right there, for pity's sake.

I'm just sayin'...

[blondeatlast]

61. You first. One of my issues is that we tolerate people who

say "Democrat" Party.

Give me a break. Sheesh.

[GreenPartyVoter]

62. Taking corporate and PAC $$

[cap]

64. Joe, at the end of the day, we are all going to stick together

nothing is going to divide us. Nothing. The stakes are too high. Most of us will pull the D lever and turn out to the polls no matter how tightly we will pinch our noses. Period.

Besides, the positives more than out weigh the negatives. Most of us find more in common. There are no wedge issues here. No matter what the differences, we will be pulling the D lever.

What's the alternative, the Biblical society? Poverty?

BTW, why are you in the Democratic party? As a newbie, introduce yourself. Tell us how you came to the party. Name the things you agree with in the party platform.



As for your statement:
Are there no others here who are "for fiscal responsibility, a strong middle class (which drives spending and strengthens the economy), a strong military used sparingly, and personal responsibility rather than an all encompassing safety net?"

it does sound like a Republican platform, doesnt it? Except, of course, the Republicans arent living up to it these days.

Fiscal Responsibility -- not with the deficit induced by the tax break.

Strong military -- not the way they are imposing stop losses and length of deployment these days...

Sparing use of the military -- not the way they are threatening to go into Iran, Syria. They are creating bases that are meant to be used in Iraq for decades. There are a lot more smaller bases and agreements being negotiated in Africa.

A Strong Middle Class -- greatest job loss since the Great Depression. A CIA forecast predicting a drastic demise in the number of people in the middle class.

Personal Responsibility -- Wish the corporate chieftains were chucked into jail, left and right for corporate malfeasance. All those involved in Medicaid cuts are held responsible for the suffering and deaths of people who are denied access to medical care. All those involved in despoiling the environment, should be accountable. All those who ordered the abuse at Abu Ghraib and the gulag around the world should take some responsibiilty. GW Bush take responsibility for anything: draft dodging, drinking, drug use, aborting illegitimate children (murdering innocent children as the RW likes to put it), lies to the American people,etc.

Personal Responsibility on the part of all the Right Wing who succeeded based on receiving some government funding whether it was in the form of government grants and scholarships for education, subsidies for home mortgage, SBA loans, farm subsidies, tax incentives (I'm just talking about the low-middle class RW ... dont get me started on the fat cats), relatives on government money (pensions, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid) and refused to own up to how much the safety net has helped them out. I'd like to see them own up to how much of the governmental teat that they've been suckling on.

[Mich Otter]

65. First, they don't fight for Human Rights like they oughta.

Second, too many of them are bought and paid for by the same people who are paying off the Republicans.
Third, because of them being paid off, they don't fight for Health Care, workers rights to Unionize, and the Environment like they ought to.
Having said all that, they are still miles ahead of what the Republicans offer. I am waiting till Americans wake up and start voting for a more Socialist government.

[sellitman]

66. NAFTA

That big sucking sound is alive and well.

[Roxy66]

70. Me too..but I think they have realized it was a mistake n/t

[HughBeaumont]

82. While a Moderate Dem may have signed it . . .

NAFTA was strictly a Corpro-facsist Republican idea and doing. That document had been around since Poppy's early days and has since been a nightmare for the workers and the environments of the nations involved.

[proud2BlibKansan]

67. Election fraud

They didn't jump on it right after the November election.

[Cats Against Frist]

71. Federalism n/t

[Mizmoon]

73. Welfare "reform"

The Party should forever be ashamed ...

[bleedingheart]

75. The fact they haven't shown the light on the Republican Roaches.

[slackmaster]

77. Eagerness of some to sacrifice individual liberty

Particulary in the pursuit of security against "terrorists" or drug smugglers or child molesters or whoever the Bogeyman of the day happens to be.

If the terrorists attack us because they envy our freedom (which is the excuse of Patriot Act supporters, not my belief), then is not giving up liberty in order to fight them granting them a victory by default?

[donheld]

80. Guns

Guns don't kill people. People kill people!

[HughBeaumont]

83. Death Penalty

I think it should be extended to rapists and pedophiles.

Also -

Some of the more moderate Dems' rather libertarian stances on offshoring and free markets. It's a load of rich-guy horseshit that revolves around faith-based crapshoots. Offshoring has decimated mobility in my profession and will do the same to many others unless someone wakes the hell up. Paying the workers you have HERE is better for your economy overall, damn it. Wealth concentration is bad news . . . unless you're super rich, that is.

Drug Legalization. While I think Marijuana should be legal as should industrial hemp, all narcotics should be made illegal (no form of cocaine or methamphetamine should be within reach of anyone). Even regulating them to addicts in the confines of hospitals won't stop the illegal purchases.

Their ridiculous idea of being more like Republicans. Jesus Christ, GET A DAMNED SPINE!!! Do you seriously WANT to kneel before the American Corporo-Taliban?

[Ksec]

88. Id say giving divisive issues front page

I have no problem with the big tent we have but you have to put them in proper position according to whats best for the entire party as a whole.

We have to give more attention to things that affect the biggest numbers of us. If we take issues of smaller groups and make them our marquee issues then it could hurt the entire party . Greater good is what Im trying to say here.

[cestpaspossible]

89. Which Democrat? I disagree with Tim Roemer about abortion rights.

I disagree with Joe Leiberman about the Iraq war, I disagree with Mary Landrieu about drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife refuge...

Your question is awfully vague. How would you answer it if it were posed to you?

[Ariana Celeste]

92. The War on Drugs, mainly.

The only party I know of whose stance on the War on Drugs I agree with are the Libertarians, however considering their stance on taxes, I'd have trouble voting for them.

I like most of what The Democratic Party has to offer. I just wish our politicians would grow some stronger backbone and drop the Anti-Some-Drugs stance. There are some little other things that I don't care for, but Democrats are the only politicians I would feel good about voting for.

I am a young woman and hope to someday have a child. And as far as I can see, the Democratic Party is the only Party I can see making this country worth raising children in. They stand for better education and available, affordable healthcare. Safer roads. Cleaner air and water.

So yeah. I disagree with their stance on the War on Drugs, and disagree a bit when it comes to gun control, but other than that, I feel the Dems are the way to go.

[derby378]

93. Efforts to reinstate the AWB

It neither breaks your back nor picks your pocket if I own an AK-47.

For the record, I don't. My wife would kill me.

[Protagoras]

95. I disagree that our party should be so open

that it lets Zell Miller and those of a similar ilk continue to use the title.

We should have standards...better standards :D