Democrats must become more evangelical (non-religiously) about liberalism

[Armstead]

Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I'm not referring to religion here. I'm talking about passion and the drive to win people over in a political and moral sense, apart from whatever religion one does or does not espouse.

But I've come to the conclusion that it is imperative for Democrats to come out with evangelical fervor to press for the basic principles of liberalism, in a passionate, no-bullshit way. Subtlety and "stragegy" be dammned. Hair-splitting labels about "left" and "center" be dammned.

Things have gotten so bad for society that I believe we have to stop pussyfooting around about all of this. Average people are getting screwed by high energy prices, outsourcing and other symptoms of the core issue of monopolistic concentrations of power.

And it's not just about Bush. It's about the chickens coming home to roost after 30 years of the basic values and political values that have been supported by both parties.

People are mad as hell, but they keep taking it because they see no answers in today's political climate. More and more people are seeing through the GOP right-wing Corporate BS. But they are forced to stop at anger, because they see no way to correct these things. And they see no constructive counterpoint coming out of the Democratic Party.

But there is a simple, clear answer and alternative to the present morass. Liberalism is the necessary corrective medicine we need right now.

We need to really start spereading the message at all levels. "We're all in this together." We need to point out in clear, unambiguous terms that the mentality of greed, self-isolation lust for power of right wing Corporate conservative is taking us down a Dead End.

There are ways out of this mess. But only if we become evangelical about it. Complicated policy issues have their place, but at this point in History I believe we have to get back to basics.

[kentuck]

1. Sounds like class warfare, Armstead ?

:) But I agree with you.

[Armstead]

3. Being a peacenik I I prefer the term "class struggle"

But thast's the general idea

[JDPriestly]

2. Agreed!

But, I don't think the Democratic Party is up to it. I work in it, and it's just impossibly slow to respond and inept. There are a lot of grassroots organizations that are doing a better job. It's up to us. We can't ask "Why don't they . . . ?" We have to get out there and start proselytizing.

[Armstead]

4. I agree but there is a need for national voices with clout too

The grassroots can do a lot on a local and regional level.

But real reform also needs a political vehicle that can deal with this on the national level.

[welshTerrier2]

5. cold and calculating campaign technicians

"maybe if we move a little further to the right we'll find some more supporters" ... do these people hear themselves ?????

because the American people hear them ... and what they hear is NOT a Party passionate about its beliefs ... what they hear are cold and calculating campaign technicians who lack the courage to fight for their own beliefs ...

[aquart]

7. Perfectly put.

[Armstead]

8. Good old Teddy

Despite his personal problems, he's got the kind of evangelistic fervor we need more of. He remained a liberal when liberal wasn;t cool.

[madmom]

6. I have written so many LTTE's...

(and had them published) that I'm called "an over the top democrat" by my so's repuke family!:patriot:

[rniel]

9. Want a good example

Listen to Mike Malloy. His approach is much like evengelical preaching.

[Armstead]

10. He's the hellfire and brimstone type