What Defines a Democrat?

[Vox Acerbus]

We're all talking about liberal, moderate and conservative Democrats here.

I don't agree with many things that other members of my party believe.

So what, to you, defines a Democrat? We can skip the semantics and dictionary definitions, but I'd be interested in hearing other people's take on it.

Please be broad and high-level (otherwise it could turn into a total nitpicking thread) and would it be possible to avoid the chorus of, "But that's not what I think, and I'm a Democrat!" posts? I know it won't mean the same thing to everyone. I just care about what it means to you.

I'll start:

To me, a Democrat is a person who believes that government's role includes caring about its citizens and citizens of the world.

[porphyrian]

1. Registering as one. - n/t

[Vox Acerbus]

2. Ahh...

Ahh the "semantics and dictionary definitions" I had hoped we could skip. And in under 60 seconds no less!

Guess this thread probably won't go where I hoped it would after all.

[chefgirl]

4. A Democrat?

For now I'll settle for anything Un-Republican.

We can sort THAT argument out after we get the country moving in the right direction again.

-chef-

[porphyrian]

13. Well then, ask for what you want.

Don't wait for people to answer and then be a dick about it.

[Vox Acerbus]

17. I did ask for what I want...

Are you capable of actually reading my original post?

"We can skip the semantics and dictionary definitions"

I'm so sorry if my words were too big for you to understand.

[porphyrian]

21. Oh, you want me to be a dick, too?

Sure, I'm capable of reading your post. I did. It was a stupid question, especially with your assertion that "we can skip the semantics and dictionary definitions" because doing so rules out the only correct answer. Just so you know, there's a difference between saying we can do something and asking others to do it, which I'm sure must have slipped your mind while you were imagining how wonderful your inane question was. I'm so sorry I bothered you by paying attention to your boring idea without following your arbitrary rules.

[Vox Acerbus]

23. see post 22

I'm sorry, I am new here. I assumed DU'ers might be intelligent people whose default setting isn't "Jackass".

Several of you have proven me wrong today and for that I thank you. Otherwise I might have wasted more time here. You do DU so proud. :eyes:

Enjoy pissing in your sandbox, if that's what gets your rocks off.

[porphyrian]

24. No, I won't. You use too many big words, chief.

Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

[Selatius]

14. That's it in a nutshell

There is nothing that says you can't register as a Democrat if you are opposed to the party platform. Repubs register as Dems all the time to jam up Dem primaries.

[porphyrian]

15. I felt anything more specific would be false.

Diversity is one of our strengths.

[valerief]

3. I know! I know! I know!

Democrats refer to their party as the Democratic Party. Repubs refer to same party as the Democrat Party.

[liberal N proud]

5. A government by the people, for the people not the corporations

I know that some democrats don't fit in this completely but they do a better job for the PEOPLE than the other party

[Vox Acerbus]

9. Thanks!

That's what I was looking for, and I totally agree.

[featherman]

6. Common sense in governing over ideology

Let's hope. Those who govern ideologically over common sense doom us all

[HereSince1628]

7. I'm a progressive and I can tell you what defines us.

We believe the US can and should make progress to become a better place.

The progress we speak of can be defined as the extension of liberty, freedom, equality, and dignity to everyone.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. An Identification With The "Little Guy"

A commitment to social justice and economic fairness....


And tolerance...

[baby_mouse]

10. How they vote nt.

[stray cat]

11. For this election I think it was not a Bush republican

and if it gave the senate and house to the dems - I thank everyone who voted anti-Bush (democrat)

[Virginia Dare]

12. Government by the people, for the people....n/t

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. The lesser of two evils.

I've been a registered Democrat for 40 years but I feel no compulsion to back the party in everything it does or says it stands for.

"I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics or in anything else, where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to Heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all." - Thomas Jefferson

[BlooInBloo]

18. The party they belong to. Duh.

Why people feel the need to over-analyze things into something DEEP and MEANINGFUL and FULL OF SPIRIT is beyond me.

[Vox Acerbus]

19. What's a forum for?

Seriously why are we here if not to discuss things?

I guess some people aren't content with keeping everything boring and simple.

Why take the time to whine about it though? Just skip the post if it doesn't interest you!

Man, a simple question has really brought out some jackasses. Sorry, I thought perhaps a forum filled with Democrats would have participants who could think for themselves.

Clearly I was wrong. Guess you don't have to be a Republican to be a boorish jerk.

[BlooInBloo]

20. snarfle! It was the very simplemindedness of the question that elicits...

that kind of response you genius.

If you want an interesting answer, try asking an interesting question. Yes, I realize that may be beyond you.

[Vox Acerbus]

22. Simple questions...

Simple questions don't always have simple answers. I realize that's "beyond you" too.

I'll admit, I haven't been here at DU long. When I got here I thought it would be nice to have discourse with intelligent people.

Sadly, I'm quickly learning that here, as everywhere else, intelligent people whose default attitude isn't "Jackass" seem nonexistent.

Have fun continuing to be a jackass by yourself. You all represent DU really well... :eyes:

:hi:

[Bluerthanblue]

25. please don't be so quick to

get mad, get offended and walk off-
I agree with you that the first response to this thread was kind of .... stupid.
(sorry P-) Registering as a Democrat doesn't mean squat- Any more than saying I'm a millionaire would make me one- (were that it were so!)-

Talking DOWN to other people, on your first or 5,000th post, isn't going to get any of us very far- People on the internet tend to be pretty rude sometimes- in ways they would never be in person.

I believe what you are asking is what are the very BASIC tenets of the Democratic Party as we know it to be- (individually and as a group)-
I personally believe that the Democratic Party is the party that by its very nature is difficult to define- We ARE the party of the 'big-tent'. Where 'lock-step' loyalty, and discarding personal or social ethics 'for the good of the PARTY is less likely to occur, because of our tolerant, diverse make-up.
I'd like to say that Dem's value lives over 'things'- believe in TRUE "Freedom"- which includes freedom from oppression, want, discrimination, OFthought- Where we recognize that each one of our actions impacts not only ourselves, but the world as a whole- and seek to find that delicate balance between individual freedom, and our connection to, and accountability as citizens of this earth.

Lofty ideals- but isn't that what ideals are supposed to be?

I hope you'll be patient, and forgiving- and stick around. This is a good, but very 'human' place, I've found- and I've been around awhile-

peace,
blu

(edit- freedom OF thought- not 'from' it except when I'm posting- :dunce::crazy: )

[JeffR]

26. An insatiable appetite for arguments with people on your own side

Judging from about a million posts here this week...

[patricia92243]

27. Democrats=liberal - which means generous. Democrats are generous to ALL people,.