What makes for a 'good' Democrat?

[Bullwinkle925]

After reading a lot of irate posts flying back and forth over impeachment, Cindy Sheehan, Congress (just to mention a few) - it makes me wonder just what the criteria is in being a 'good' Democrat? I had always seen this party as the party of unity and social change.
I am not asking this in jest. Just what, in your opinion, makes one a loyal, good party Democrat now?

:hide:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. Beats me. I stopped being a "good" Democrat in 1968.

When I saw a bunch of "good" Democrats cheering on the cops in Chicago.

"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 to Francis Hopkinson, 1789.

"Were parties here divided merely by a greediness for office,...to take a part with either would be unworthy of a reasonable or moral man." --Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 1795.

[Bullwinkle925]

3. I'm really beginning to wonder about this whole political affiliation

situation now. Perhaps it is just my 'awakening' - late, I know - but as the adage goes - better late than never. I am thinking of re-registering as an Independent now. I am becoming very turned off with the vitriol that is going on.

[defendandprotect]

8. I see your concerns . . . it's not heated discussion that is troubling . . .

for me, it's the tendency of some here to suggest that you have to think like they do to be a real Democrat.
Stay in the box --
Stay united --

As far as I can see that's not where we get great ideas or great decisions --

This party is everything idea finally challenges ideas of putting all your eggs in one basket --
or the need for a Plan B -- looking at things from a higher perspective.

Again -- heated arguement is not a problem for me --
It's the stuff that sounds like Bush/Republicans saying: --

"you're with us or you're with the terrorists" --

or suggesting that anyone who criticizes the President's war of aggression is a "terrorist."

[TahitiNut]

12. Being a liberal (antipartisan) independent means never having split loyalties.

... or being coerced/seduced into voting against my values and principles. My support and my vote cannot be bought or coerced.

[pocoloco]

2. Simple

Patriot instead of an politician!

[davsand]

4. Hell if I know. I've been blacklisted by the local Dem party.

My crime was to dare to speak out about a Dem appointee who was abusing women in his office. First I talked privately, and when nothing happened I spoke openly in Dem circles. When they called me (along with two other women and an entire labor union) liars I spoke out in public and I spoke out loudly.


I say screw every f**king one of the ones who told me I was wrong to do what I did. I stand firm in my belief that we all are entitled to be equal in the workplace, and I stand firm in my belief that you don't protect ANYONE simply because they are of "your party." That demeans us all and I refuse to be lectured to by some imbecile on the subject of party unity.

If being a BAD Dem is standing with Labor and women's rights then I'll be a bad Dem for as long as it takes and I'll wear that title with pride.



Laura

[Bullwinkle925]

5. Perhaps the more political we become - the closer we come to the truth . . .

that "we" and "they" are interchangeable after all? Or, perhaps, with my 'age' now - it takes me aback with all the angst and anger here that is being shown towards one another. If this is just a microscopic view of the real Democratic Party - I can't see the party sustaining itself much longer.

[davsand]

11. I think there is a problem with seeing it as "we" and "they" when it comes to party.

I dunno, I have some very real worry that both sides of the argument (GOP and Dem) have forgotten exactly what they got into politics to do. Seems to me that everybody is way more worried about scoring points off the other guy than in fixing anything. I honestly think that the level of discourse has slipped so far beneath the horizon that our nation's future is in danger.

The whole cronyism thing is a fact of life and we all know it. The whole corruption thing is as ancient as humankind. This stuff has always BEEN there, but it is so much more open--so much more unabashed--that it is turning off more voters than our system can afford to lose.

I know several Republicans that are equally unhappy so it isn't just the Dems who are in trouble. I think what is so very troubling is not so much that there is extremism within the parties--debate on platform is a fundamental and always has been--but more a matter of people who refuse to move on AFTER the debate has ended. Seems like there is a lot of ill will hanging on long after the last vote is counted. I can deal with it still being present--we are all human and opinionated or else we wold not be in politics to begin with. I just can't deal with how vituperative it is and how lONG it is hanging out.

As for my local party, it is what it is. It will either get better or it won't--but it will continue onward if I am involved or not. I can find outlets for my energies in issue driven things or even in races that extend beyond the local (Statewide or national races for example.) I sure as heck am not gonna abandon Labor, and I am not gonna give up on specific key issues. I can't DO it.

Hang tough, and don't let the "bastids" grind you down.


Laura

[Demeter]

6. A Good Democrat Is One That Can Handle Reality and Make Positve Change and Sense

as opposed to the present-day models, who only take checks and give lip service.

[Bullwinkle925]

7. i fear that the germaine part of each party has gone woefully astray and will never return . . .

to the mission of actually making this country (and, hopefully, by example) the planet a better more humane place to live.

[defendandprotect]

9. .... it's the $ and elites buying politicians -- that's all . . . we need to get rid of it --

In fact, we've needed to get rid of it for more than 100 years --

Teddy Roosevelt spoke on that --

In fact, "politics" is recognized as the shadow cast over a people's government by corporations.

Public financing of campaigns -- barring corporations from ANY involvement in our elections --

has anyone here ever run for office -- or tried to run for office on the Democratic ticket?????

[Bullwinkle925]

10. It is never going to change, is it?

if that is the harsh truth of the matter - all is lost. there is nothing really left for us to do or try to accomplish.

i feel as if my head is bloodied from constantly beating it against the wall.