We have much in common with moderates and conservatives

[cally]

Once again, I heard a progressive infer that we have little in common with moderates or conservatives. I wholeheartedly disagree. We are letting the right define a divide in American politics that works to our detriment.

It works in the rights favor to portray a red vs. blue world. Patriot vs. traitors. Traditional values vs. moral less heathens. True Americans vs. minorities. Support the troops vs. unpatriotic. Believers vs. heathens. Civilized vs. poor behavior. Painting these divisions brings out the Republican base and makes it hard for too many to vote Democratic. Folks aren't just deciding which candidate or party has the better ideas or policies but which tribe they are in. The Republican pundits work hard to portray all debate as one of good vs. evil and the more we allow ourselves to follow that pattern, the more we allow the divide to continue.

Most polls show that Americans support Democratic positions more than Republican policies. When party affiliation is not mentioned, democrats do better. I think folks vote Republican to stay a member of the patriotic, God-fearing, tradition loving side. Unfortunately Dems have allowed themselves to be portrayed as the party against all these values.

Instead we have much in common. We all want a better world, cleaner air and water, better schools, less corrupt politicians, fewer wars, less crime, time with our loved ones, and trust in our government. We are never going to take this country back if we don't remember what we have in common instead of focusing on our differences.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

1. You mean we have much in common with the majority who aren't fascists?

[cally]

2. Yes, that's what I mean

[Nevernose]

6. That's a very clever statement.

I wrote a three paragraph reply before I read your post more clearly.

I'd like to add, though, that the percentage of fascists (outside the administration) is quite small, while the percentage of the ignorant, intellectually lazy, gullible, and fearful is quite high. There but for the grace of God...

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

7. Yes, there's a lot more fascist enablers (the second group you named) than

the actual fascists.

[cally]

20. I find I have much less in common with the fascist enablers

The ignorant, intellectually lazy, gullible, and fearful enrage me. I've lost tolerance for those who choose to ignore what is happening now.

[Warren DeMontague]

3. Don't underestimate the heathen vote.

The media is the ones doing the lions share of that phony dividing; but they're also pushing the LIE that the so-called 'heartland values vote' carries a far huger weight in this country than it actually does.

Far more powerful, and underrepresented, are the millions upon millions of secular urban progressives who are socially libertarian, and want the government out of the phony morals-n-platitudes business entirely.

[JanMichael]

4. What about healthcare, living wages, and more direct/participatory...

...democracy? Are these American values?

Do we have that in common? Because it'll take more than stupid platitudes to make this a better world.

[cally]

8. Yes, I assume

you are inferring that I was using stupid platitudes. If we can get agreement on general values and direction for the country, then we have a better chance of pushing policies to make the world better. I don't understand your derogatory tone and condescension but you just made my point. We will continue to alienate potential supporters if we approach with antagonism.

[JanMichael]

10. I don't use that tone in the "real world".

But in this "realm" I tend to find warm fuzzies just a tad outta my realm so I sometimes sound cynical or even hostile. That said I have no animosity towards you:-)

[A Simple Game]

5. Most people on DU seem to be fiscally conservative,

as are most moderates and conservatives.

With what this administration is doing to our budget and deficit, this should cause a larger bond than it has.

[Telly Savalas]

15. DUers tend to be fiscally responsible, not fiscally conservative

The term "fiscal conservative" is a poor one. It associates conservative ideologues like Dubya and Reagan with sound fiscal policy, which is really dishonest. It's been 50 years since a Republican signed a balanced budget, and that only happened because the income tax system was more progressive than those proposed by most liberals today.

[A Simple Game]

19. Fiscally responsible is a better label.

My definition of fiscally conservative predates Raygun. I tend to use the traditional definitions for words and terms. I forget that people like Reagan and * have caused many to redefine the definitions.

[meow2u3]

18. You don't want to refer to DUers as "fiscally conservative"

Fiscal conservative is just right-wing fascist code which means "Screw the poor" in plain English.

[Mz Pip]

9. And we can't win without them

Democrats are going to have to spend some time focusing on what we have in common with moderates and conservatives if we ever hope to win a red state again.

During the election there was much discussion about how we didn't need any Red States. Well duh. Kerry would be in the WH if we'd won one or two of them.

If politics become so polarizing that every issue is framed in black/white terms then we will lose.

Somehow we have to control the message in a way that is appealing to conservative, moderates and liberals. Not an easy task, but focusing on commonalities is a good way to start.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[cally]

11. Yes, we won't win back the Gov. in California

without moderate Dems and Republicans. I'm tired of such polorized political debate. The Dems are constantly defending themselves instead of pushing the country forward.

:hi: I hope all goes well for you.

[BootinUp]

12. I like your way of thinking. n/t

[seabeyond]

13. i have always been registered independent, no desire to be democrat

yet here i have been on this board for how long, in support of so much that is democrat. this is what i have been saying for a long time. couldnt agree with you more. and..... i have lots of repugs around me. i know how they feel about things, what they believe

the thing, when i talk to democrats here about the things that keep repugs beholden to their party an affirmed against any thought of crossing over, dems reject it. and i am not talking about the absolute not moving from abortion or gay equality, i am talking about the nanny state bullshit gonna tell everyone how to walk life because if they arent going to take care of themselves, i am ... kinda attitude

oh and all people in management or owns business are bad.

otherwise .... i agree, lots in common. i tell my people that often. and especially in this time and day.

[BootinUp]

14. something to think about

"oh and all people in management or owns business are bad."

So if you were to land a mangement job you would suddenly turn evil?

[seabeyond]

16. it appears so. i cannot get people to distinguish from small

business ownership and major corporations like halliburton. just we are all greedy. anyone who owns a business MUST be rich and abusing employees. one of the big reasons my husband got excited about voting kerry is he owns a business and kerry had experience in small business, had a plan to help small business with health care, ultimately for the employee that we as owners want to provide for employee. feel a responsibility to provide health care.

that turned my repug hubby who voted for bush in 2000 to a kerry voter in 2004

start talking in this manner to the people it will encourage them to look aways from repug corruption

[cally]

21. I think libs do sometimes come off as preachy

I think we are correct with our ideas but we too often sound like knowitalls.

[OneBlueSky]

17. I agree 100% . . . I've said before that it's a mistake to . . .

denigrate those big bad CONSERVATIVES, because true conservatives (as opposed to neocons) could be our allies on any number of issues . . . most of them, in fact . . .

THEY (BushCo) like to divide us by focusing the public discourse on our differences . . .

WE can counteract that by re-focusing the public discourse to our common interests . . . as you pointed out, there are many . . .

on edit: both liberals and conservatives should stop talking in those terms and start talking instead in terms of the populism that can unite us . . .

I refer here to the dictionary (as opposed to the historical) definition of populism, i.e. "a political philosophy supporting the rights and power of the people in their struggle against the privileged elite" . . .

[cally]

22. I agree that we could unite around populism

The problem is that we have to raise too much money to win elections in this country. That is the grip the elites have on power in this country. Until we can get free access to the media for political campaigns, it will almost be impossible for a true populist revolt.