What unites us as Democrats?

[Ardent15]

I'd say it is our collective belief in social justice, and that includes issues like universal health care, poverty, racism, and war.

Social justice seems to be the common denominator flowing through every issue and aspect of our party.

[Tim01]

1. Really good question. Kudos. nt

[Motown_Johnny]

2. United????? Democrats??????? Ummm.........

Right now I would say it is our disgust concerning the way the Shrub administration damaged our country, but other than that I couldn't say. Maybe it is our firm belief in our right to disagree with the majority while still being dependent on majority rule. Pukes seem to bend their own will to the rule of the majority in hopes of being one of the ruling party.

[Oregone]

3. Nothing pure as you suggest. Rather the insane idiocy of the Right Id venture

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. I like your answer. Others - courage, mistrust of authority, respect for diversity...

But much of what I come up with is covered by social justice and the examples that you give.

When I raised "courage", it is as a response to how Republicans seem to be so driven by fear - fear of losing what they have, fear of the boogie man (anyone different from them), fear of helping those less fortunate ("they had their chance, they were lazy, etc etc).

When I am feeling nasty, I think that Republicans lack creativity, insight and imagination. The things that move us forward - yet they are very happy to use the inventions of those that are creative (even as they slam them!)

[noamnety]

12. I would take mistrust of authority off your list

That's been a divisive issue here, not one that unites. Many folks have expressed the view that we should trust Obama implicitly, while others believe nobody in that position should be trusted implicitly. There's been some harsh words on both sides of that issue.

[NRaleighLiberal]

21. good point. That's mine, then....I utterly mistrust authority (even myself when I have it, which is

rare!)

[OHdem10]

5. Social Justice

[TexasObserver]

6. It should be a concern for the "have nots."

[Boddingham]

7. Our willingness to adhere to great ideals while . . .

. . . the federal fascist government stomps our guts out and sends our young women and men to die in illegal wars, all in the name of profiteering. And we do nothing about it.

[Catshrink]

8. This

[Laelth]

9. I sincerely wish I could say those things united us.

We would be a better party if they did. No, within the Party, as on DU, all we ever agree on is that Republicans are the dis-loyal opposition and that it would be best if they never returned to power in the United States. Ultimately, our common enemy is the only thing that holds this collection of minorities together, and that goes for the Party and for DU.

:dem:

-Laelth

[noamnety]

10. I wish I believed those things unite us.

the majority of dems in power don't seem to be supporting universal health care.

I don't feel united with Clinton's welfare reform policies, but many here feel he was beyond criticism. I think his drug wars promoted racial injustice, but many dems support the war on drugs.

I see most dems in power voting to continue wars.

I think the rhetoric sometimes unites us. Is that good enough?

[Boddingham]

11. Nope.

Not good enough. I do respect your sincerity.

[masuki bance]

13. I would have to say the unrec feature unites us like no other issue

,ever.

[elocs]

14. Dems are not "united" like the "United" States, but more like a confederation

where people sometimes come together to support certain issues, but too many have an attitude that if you do not believe as they do you cannot really be a Democrat.

[Silent3]

15. Infighting.

And if you disagree with me, that only helps prove me right. :evilgrin:

[mmonk]

16. Right now, the party is not united.

That is both from a representative standpoint and the various factions of cheerleaders. We are the most divided at a time when we actually need steadfastness and resolve back to core Democratic Party beliefs rather than corporatism. Our country did not substantially change with the last two elections, just cosmetically. Before I'm attacked for my comments, I'm speaking about the power to determine legislation or kill legislation by our biggest corporations and the failure to move towards a return to Constitutional restraints and the rule of law.

[tekisui]

17. We trend towards the collective making the economic decisions,

and the marketplace of ideas on social issues.

Of course, there are great ranges of that trend for each individual.

[Bravo Zulu]

18. This.

[Stuart G]

19. Throughout the last 75 years one common thread is..

raise the minimum wage. It is the one single goal that almost get everyone who calls themselves Democrats to vote as one. It isn't much, but it says a whole lot.

Republicans?...always want to cut taxes, especially taxes on capital gains. always..

[Bluenorthwest]

20. From what I can see absolutely nothing

Many Democrats don't even support equality for all Americans, so raving about 'social justice' is insultingly out of touch with the reality of this party. War? Let me know when a Democrat stops war instead of escalating them. Poverty is on the rise, and universal health care is going to be a mandate to buy a product with money we do not have, making for more poverty.
My household sits and wonders if we will be able to stay together openly under the health care mandate. Democrats and Republicans agree that my family is not a family under the law. So our 'tax credits' will be for two strangers, one who makes money and has insurance, the other who make not as much and has none. Our family in not legally a family, our household a business arrangement, according to Democrats, where as John Ensign and John Edward have Sacred Unions made by Goddy God and recognized by the Federal Government! Hallelujah! Social justice? That means David Vitter gets rights we don't get, because the Democratic Party says Vitter is Sanctified and we are unworthy of legal recognition.
This is like an OP that asks the eternal question, "What makes me so wonderful? Is it my handsome face or my stunning intellect?" and it is as self aware as a sea slug.
Sorry to be mean, but the dream land some live in gets to be sickening to behold. You are not united with me in any way, and the fault lies directly with your community, the heterosexual community is the group that insists that my family be treated like serfs.

[noamnety]

22. Those are some harsh words.

and as a straight person, I have to agree with them.

and as a woman, thinking about what you wrote, I guess I would add a slightly broader perspective to it.

Republicans openly deny rights to oppressed/nonprivileged people and are proud of it. The democratic party seems to be united by its ability to reassure those people that they care deeply, and it's only because they are pragmatic that they bargain away each of these rights.