What of DU now?

[personman]

Hello,

I've been a member of DU for years. I am a libertarian-socialist anarchist who lives in a swing-state, (Ohio) and I vote for democratic candidates. That said, there are many issues I disagree with the Democratic Party on, though I usually disagree even more strongly with the Republican Party.

This will be the first time we've had a Democratic President since DU began, and I hope this remains a place for lively debate, rather than an ultra-partisan, line-toeing, tool of the ruling elite and their supporters. Just an example, I posted a thread awhile back critical of an ad on Obama's health-care proposal. Though I stated clearly that I intended to vote for Obama, I was labeled a McCain shill, personally attacked on items ranging from my political views to my physical appearance, and the thread was locked. I don't necessarily blame the moderators, as it had turned pretty ugly...

I'd hate to see a lot of locking and banning of those who disagree with the party on certain issues.

I don't think that bodes well for the future of DU, as the Democratic Underground. Perhaps it's my naivety that I thought Democratic Underground would refer to the will of the people, rather than one faction of the business party. Your thoughts?

The real work begins on day one. We've got to stop our war on the middle-east. Give our people health-care. Close Guantanamo and normalize relations with Cuba, as well as stop trying to de-stabilize legitimately elected latin-american governments because they have this crazy idea about helping their people... Work toward a more equitable distribution of wealth... Fix our prison and electoral systems... Etc. Etc.

-Andy

From Media Control, by Noam Chomsky:

"...Let me begin by counter-posing two different conceptions of democracy. One conception of democracy has it that a democratic society is one in which the public has the means to participate in some meaningful way in the management of their own affairs and the means of information are open and free....

An alternative conception of democracy is that the public must be barred from managing of their own affairs and the means of information must be kept narrowly and rigidly controlled. That may sound like an odd conception of democracy, but it's important to understand that it is the prevailing conception...."

http://anarchismtoday.org/News/article/sid=56.html

[Glorfindel]

1. Don't worry! DU will remain the lively, freewheeling

and cantankerous place it has always been. Democrats have never marched in lockstep the way Repukes do.

[personman]

5. I should mention DU has been an important part of my political education

Also helped inspire me to start AnarchismToday.org

I'm not someone who seems to fit conveniently in to a mold.

I've been called a "childish anarchist" by a Dem and "tepid reformist" by an anarchist, might have even been in the same week if I remember correctly. I take a little pride at that. :)

"No theory, no ready-made system, no book that has ever been written will save the world. I cleave to no system. I am a true seeker." - Mikhail Bakunin

"All fixed set patterns are incapable of adaptability or pliability. The truth is outside of all fixed patterns." - Bruce Lee

[mrsadm]

2. Democratic Aboveground!

[siligut]

3. We used to say, when you argue over the Internet, even if you win you are still an idiot.

However, that idiom doesn’t seem to apply to DU. Especially whoever insulted your appearance, which is just too tacky.

[TexasObserver]

4. the duty to march in lockstep ended when we won

It's gonna be a food fight of epic proportions here as soon as Obama takes office and starts disappointing people.

[Why Syzygy]

6. Your list is good with me ..

We've got to stop our war on the middle-east. Give our people health-care. Close Guantanamo and normalize relations with Cuba, as well as stop trying to de-stabilize legitimately elected latin-american governments because they have this crazy idea about helping their people... Work toward a more equitable distribution of wealth... Fix our prison and electoral systems... Etc. Etc.

:thumbsup:

[Why Syzygy]

7. RW apologists

have sprung up all over DU overnight. I am all for unity, but it seems like all the horror just did not make enough of an impression on people to continue to be wary. If this becomes Unity Underground, I won't be able to participate.