Back to basics: Democrats defined. A must read for "Centrists".

[chaska]

Here's a m berst classic from a a few days ago. In case you missed it, please do us all a favor and read it. Please.

No disrespect intended, but we need to remember what this party stands for.


As an old veteran Democrat, one thing that really surprised me at the boards and in person over the last couple of years is that all of the positions that were once standard and agreed upon in the party are now controversial and subject to heated srgument. Here are some examples -

1. Social Security - I can't believe that people argue about privatizing SS on a Democratic board.

2. Progressive Income Tax - This shouldn't be controversial either, yet people argue in favor of a flat tax or a national sales tax.

3. Race issues - The confederate flag is controversial and we have people defending it, and the bogus and ridiculous idea of "reverse racism" gets serious play, as well. Saying that the war on terror or the war on drugs are racist are met with vehement disagreement. And the recent blatant and wholesale disenfranchisement of AA voters gets very little interest or outrage.

4. "Free markets" - This illusionary idea seems to have permeated the entire culture and we have Democrats arguing in favor of the idea that there is such a thing as the free market and that somehow social policy should be left to its imaginary dictates. It is especially shocking to hear Democrats include labor as one of the "free market commodities" that should be freely bought and sold.

5. "Free trade" - Free trade is a code phrase for the right wingers and corporations, and really means exploitation of labor here and abroad, and the destruction of our industrial base and economy for the profits of private corporations.

6. "Privatization" - Here we are living in an unprecedented era of public property being given away to business, and yet we have Democrats defending the idea of privatization as possibly "more efficient" or "more economical. This extends to the privatization of the public air waves, and there are a shocking number of Democrats who don't grasp the concepts involved in regulating the media.

7. Gender equality - How this issue can be confused or contentious among Democrats is a complete mystery to me. Beyond choice, there is no clarity at all, let alone consensus on this issue.

8. Poverty - Just today I saw people arguing that no real poverty exists in America, excepting that it is the person's own fault, and saying that Americans are spoiled whiners.

9. Suburbanization - Do not, I repeat DO NOT criticize in any way the suburban lifestyle among Democrats. That is a big change from 30 years ago when most Democrats lamented the demise of our cities and saw suburbanization as wasteful sprawl and as white flight and as driven by fear and greed.

10. Mass popular culture I, celebrities - Do not criticize the consumerism and cult of personality that dominates our culture, because you will get a violent reaction from people defending their heroes. A recent example was eminem - he IS our savior and anyone who questioned that was accused of "reverse racism" and worse. Pop icons have become the template for judging all leadership, which makes it just about impossible for issues to take precedence over personalities. If I see one more argument over a political personality in the party here I think I will go batty. And the arguments aren't over substance, they are all about hero worship.

11. Mass popular culture II, consumerism - From films to food to cars to credit to gadgets to TV, people are awash in consumerism and "lifestyle choices" and will defend that to the death. The consumer mentality and the idea of "shopping" for "personal choices" that fit one's "lifestyle" is a pattern for how people approach everything, including politics. If the corporations have your dollars, your time, and most of your brain, how can you think clearly about social justice?

12. "Personal responsibility" - This is another right wing code phrase used to justify an anything-goes social free-for-all, yet some Democrats argue that it should be a model for all political decisions. This leads to seeing anyone's misfortune as their own personal fault, and so renders them unworthy of compassion. People are said to be making "poor choices" or to be defective or irresponsible in some way when they are in trouble.

13. Hatred and bigotry - Not only do an alarming number of Democrats fail to understand or defend the victims of racial hatred, but they engage in their own ongoing vicious hate-fest against their own "them" - repukes, fundies, Southerners, etc. Most Democrats imagine that as a Dem they are "officially" against intolerance, so they don't have to worry about actually practicing tolerance.

With all of that confusion and disagreement on issues that once were not controversial and for which there were solid mainstream Democratic party positions at one time, it is no wonder that the message of the party is not clear. Yet, the latest rage is "framing" the issues, as though it is the delivery of the message that is off rather than the message itself.

Democrats endlessly argue about what tactics are the "right" ones to use, while the results and goals and principles are subject to "reality" and "electability" and compromise. They are process driven.

Republicans on the other hand, look at practicality when it comes to tactics, do whatever works, while rigidly and uncompromisingly holding to their goals and principles. They are goal driven.

Democrats are actually proud of this and brag about being part of the "reality based community" in response to the Republicans, who are making their own reality. Democrats would rather be the "good guys" than achieve goals or gain power. It is all part of making the "right choices for myself" and having a "personal lifestyle" that they can feel good about. "Live the change you want to see" is a popular mantra.

14. Constructive criticism and analysis - such as this post IMHO - are often seen as "disloyal" or "negative" by many.