Am I in the right party?

[white_wolf]

First off here is a brief political history of me. I voted for Obama this past year it was the first election I could vote in. I consider my views to be Left-wing liberal perhaps even moderate socialist. When i say socialist I mean it in the sense that it is used in European nations. I firmly believe that this country would be much better off if we adopted the model of Sweden and the Netherlands. I even agree with many of the views of the socialist party in America. So I guess my question is do I belong in the democratic party or am I too radical in your all's eyes?

[glen123098]

1. Well unfortunatly we have a two party system.

I consider myself far to the left of Obama, but I voted for him, because he was the choice that was given. If we had an instant runoff vote, then we would have more choices. So yeah, If Im welcome here, you should be also.

[The Straight Story]

2. In the dem party you just have to SAY you are for things, not actually do those things

"I am for a public option" means you think it is nifty, but that is all you need to qualify.

"I am against DADT" just like our gay friends are, but that does not mean I have to do anything about it.

And so on.

On the right, they say they are against the things we say we are for.

An that is the key difference between the parties these days.

[saracat]

3. Great evaluation!

[polpilot]

36. And after that celebrate whatever happens as 'historic' & we'll change it later'

[mbperrin]

4. Well, let's see. I support marriage between any two consenting adults;

I want a war proviso that any military action and funding must pass Congress by an 80% margin; I want universal single payer healthcare;
I want 17 years of paid for education for every citizen; I want corporations outlawed as a form of business; I want CEOs to be personally responsible for any crimes committed by their companies, punishable by decades of imprisonment with no possibility of parole; I want nationalization of the energy, pharmaceutical, and defense industries.

I consider myself moderately left. Radicals want CEOs quartered in public and their body parts displayed at the main roads of major cities, for instance. I object, because it would draw flies.

So, how do you feel now?

[movonne]

21. I agree with you...the problem I see today what is called the far left is not

what I call far left..if you are a few steps above the tea baggers you are called a leftie..this country has been pushed so far right that the goal posts keep moving..

[Smashcut]

32. "I object, because it would draw flies."

:rofl:

[enlightenment]

5. You don't have to belong to a party, you know.

If you're uncertain, perhaps it would be best to register as an unaffiliated (or undeclared) voter for awhile. If you live in a closed primary state, that will prevent you from voting in the primaries unless you change your affiliation prior to the primary - but beyond that, it only means that you choose not to declare for any one party.

You are not required to be a registered member of any party to vote in general elections.

[BbeltAtheist]

25. That's me

Even though I'd say that I agree with most of the (D) agenda, there are a few things that I don't. On many issues I'm far to the left of the party on.

Unfortunately, when I'm asked whether I'm D or R and I say neither, it is usually assumed that my beliefs lie somewhere in the middle (think Lieberman), which is not accurate at all.

I'm not as interested in the primary part of elections because I know that the fight is between the purists of the party and those who are looking towards the general election (those looking for a candidate that is more likely to win in the general election)

I really wish we could shake this two-party system... then I might actually become affiliated.

[enlightenment]

43. I have never affiliated with a political party except for those

occasions when I wanted to vote in a primary election - and I first registered to vote in 1976. I would also welcome a working multi-party system, although I'm not sure I would 'officially' affiliate even then, as I'm not much of a 'joiner'. I can vote - and even support - the pols of my choice without carrying the official wallet card of the party.

DU doesn't require that you be a card-carrying member of the Democratic party to participate; they're more careful with the wording, as I'm sure you have seen.

[Warpy]

6. Nah, you belong here but you'll need a hide like a rhino

Thin skin and left wing never go particularly well together.

Just get used to being right about things but being disrespected and blocked by conservatives.

[BeFree]

7. Glad to have you

Now if we ever get to where 60% of the world is people of your status the world will be a better place by default.

In the meantime, just be careful to not alienate those who are stupid. What we need to do is calmly educate them.

And beat the crap out of those KKK members.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. I'm a "lesser of two evils" Democrat, but I vote issues not party.

I've been a Democrat since 1965 and have no problem with making candidates earn my vote and looking elsewhere if they don't.

[mmonk]

9. Probably but not sure.

What I mean is if you want to affect change, probably yes. If you want to be happy that your views predominate the party, especially its leadership, probably no.

[white_wolf]

10. I guess my problem

is that the democratic party is not doing what I hoped it would do. I was hoping Obama would be in the vein of a modern day FDR but so far it appears I may have been mistaken. As for voting for other parties I have looked at 3rd parties such as the Socialist party of America and while I agree with alot but not all of their views I just feel like a vote for 3rd parties would be a vote for the Republicans which is something I can not do even if I'm disappointed with the Democrats. Anyone else in the same boat?

[katkat]

12. what to do that is the question

A decade ago I would have said you're in the right place. That was before the bait and switch Obama election.

Now I'd suggest Independent and vote and support politicians who share your principles.

[BbeltAtheist]

26. "throwing away" vote

This is the phrase one hears a lot if they vote for a candidate/party that is not of the two-party system. One has to wonder why then we still have this two-party system with this way of thinking. Of course and the fact that the two parties have major contributors from big business... this doesn't help change things, but I suppose if enough support were garnered for another movement then even big business would be willing shell out as well.

Obama's bait and switch is nothing new... it's just that many people forget that this tactic is the norm and not the exception. A break from all of this in the near future would probably require revolution and not the slow evolution of change that our political system allows.

[Oregone]

11. Probably not

http://www.sp-usa.org/

Most people are content though aiding a party that doesn't represent them

[white_wolf]

14. I was going to post that link

to show what 3rd parties I have looked at,but I was not sure it was allowed.

[Oregone]

15. Whoops, maybe in error, but probably not

I wasn't promoting it, but providing it as reference. Afterall, youre allowed to post links to Free Republic, Drudge, and the Republican websites too

[Xicano]

33. Here's another third party that seems to fit.

http://www.thelaborparty.org/a_index.html

Hi Oregone, I agree. Posting a link doesn't necessarily mean promoting. Just providing a reference for the OP is fine as far as I am concerned.



Peace,
Xicano

[walldude]

13. Welcome to DU.

Supposedly this is a big tent and we welcome all at least most of us do..

[Oregone]

17. Honest question...

Why would someone join a big tent if there is no where to stand, except in a corner with a dunce cap on?

(yes, I understand the argument about affecting "change", but this seems to be an important counter-point to address as of late)

[walldude]

22. Well they wouldn't. Honestly if I were this guy I'd find

someplace a little more liberal. But I've been here 5 years and it's hard to walk away from so many people I have befriended over the years.

[LWolf]

16. It depends on your goals.

If you want to live what you stand for, then no.

If you believe that there is no way to break the two party system, so the only way to achieve anything is to be part of it, then yes.

If you want to achieve authentic leftward change, then probably not. If you believe in putting your support behind the lesser of two evils, then yes.

What are you willing to live with? What kind of "compromise" will you stand for?

[white_wolf]

19. My goal

is to make this country a better place. I want us to have universal health care for all,I want big corporations to be held accountable to the common people and not rule over them,I think the media outlets in this country should be broken up as I feel they are more interested in promoting their propaganda then actually educating and informing. I do not think anyone should make million dollar bonuses while there are people who are starving barely able to make ends-meet who work much harder than these executives do. Those are my goals. Do you think I can help the Democratic party work towards those liberal goals?

[Oregone]

20. I don't think so

But simply being a part of any party probably wont help make it happen. In a 2 party system, either you are throwing your vote away (by voting for parties that will change those things) or supporting people in the two parties that will not.

You may be better off promoting smaller PAC. Perhaps PNHP.org. Try donating time to a PAC that promotes campaign finance reform too (which is major). If you can change the fundementals of a broken system, you are more likely to be able to change a system from within by voting. But right now, things are too broken to change things by simply lending support to one of the status quo parties.

My honesty is not welcomed Id imagine. But the desire to influence progressive change probably dictates that being a member of any party will not help you fulfill that desire. Being part of an organization trying to change fundemental structures (and get the big money out of the government) would be a better approach

[liberal_at_heart]

27. I agree with your assessment

Thanks for sharing the info on the PAC that promotes campaign finance reform. I too believe that none of this will ever change until we get the big money out of the government.

[LWolf]

23. I don't have an honest answer for you.

I'm probably the wrong person to ask, since I have zero confidence in the Democratic Party.

I think the party is, at this point, too corrupt to allow the citizens they supposedly represent to influence them enough to make a difference.

I don't think the Democratic Party WANTS to work towards those liberal goals.

[timeforpeace]

31. Neither side wants to make it a worse place, at least intentionally. Methods differ.

[The Wielding Truth]

18. This is the Underground where ranting democrats come to play.

You are more a part of this community than many others, but we temper our whining with research and some common sense. Look for the truth with us. Welcome to DU.

The Democratic Party is,I think, in existence to counter or sensibly control the run away greed and misuse of government by the cold business aspect of the country. Seems that you are with that mission, too.

[liberal_at_heart]

24. I've been a democrat for 14 yrs and I'm asking myself that very question

I am very seriously thinking of switching parties. I haven't really done alot of research into all the different kinds of parties. I like you fall more into the socialist arena I think. I love the socialist policies that Europe and the UK have. In fact, I hope to live in either Europe or the UK someday. Good luck on your journey to find your political party. I am also on that journey.

[Thickasabrick]

28. K&R - Absolutely you belong here!! nt

[fascisthunter]

29. well.. you can try to change the party from within

and hang with us lefties who are trying to do just that.

[RedCloud]

30. You belong here white wolf and here is a present for you...

[depakid]

34. Depends on whether one judges a party by it's platforms or its repeated actions

The disconnect can sometimes be astonishing.

[LeftishBrit]

35. Well, I am a Brit with very similar views to yours.

I think that Obama and most Dems are infinitely better than Republicans, and that defeating the Republicans and keeping them out of office is absolutely vital for the sake of the entire world. But my views do have a lot more in common with Scandinavian Socialists than with American Dems, or with British New Labour.

I look forward to hearing more from you.

[liberal_at_heart]

37. I can see how the dems would seem better on foreign policy to people outside the US

And for the most part I agree. However, our party has been bought by the insurance industry so you never know. The oil companies may very well be the next to buy our democratic politicians and then the rest of the world may have the same problems with the democrats as they have with the repbublicans. As an American, I see how damaging the democratic party is becoming to the country. Women, gays, the poor, the middle class. None of us matter anymore. Our politicians support corporations now. They no longer support the people which they are suppose to represent.

[liberal_at_heart]

38. can I ask you how you feel about Britain's national healthcare system?

My huaband has had many eye surgeries. I've had preventative surgeries to prevent breast and ovarian cancer. We've paid close to around $50,000 in medical bills and we have insurance. The premiums and deductibles are outrageous. My son has autism and doesn't receive any behavorial treatment. We can't afford it. My husband knows people from the UK who say in the UK we would not have had to pay tens of thousands of dollars for our surgeries. And that most people don't mind waiting a few weeks for elective surgery so that really sick people can be seen right away. I know taxes would be higher but to be covered and have the doctor's bills paid by national healthcare system would be worth it in my opinion.

[LeftishBrit]

39. I think it is a very important and valuable part of our society,

It has been weakened by Thatcher's underfunding, and Blair's misguided ultra-managerialism; but even with that, it is a godsend, and one that we often take for granted (having had the NHS for 60 years now). I am shocked when I hear stories from America of people going bankrupt over medical bills; being scared to leave or change jobs in case they lose their insurance; or avoiding going to a doctor because of the cost. Such things just couldn't happen here - or in most of Europe - for many many years now.

I am sorry that you have had to pay so much money for necessary medical treatments and that your son is not being provided with his treatments for free, as a right. I really hope that all this will change for you, and for many others.

[liberal_at_heart]

40. Thank you for your response LeftishBrit

Unfortunately universal healthcare isn't even an option over here in the US. Even if the public option gets put into the healthcare reform bill there will be so many that won't get help. My husband gets insurance through his employer. The public option will only be available to those without insurance so we won't be able to access it. Having the public option would be better than nothing, but I still don't trust this whole bill even if the public option gets put in. The insurance industry has had too much influence in it. We are so far behind the rest of the indurstrialized countries in so many ways; the school systems, the infrastructure, the healthcare system, the transportation. I would love to travel to the UK or Europe and see the differences. I bet the differences are astounding.

[Prophet 451]

41. My kid brother is autistic

and he's had behavioural treatment through the local Trust (body which administers the NHS on a local basis) since he was seven without our parents paying a penny for it (beyond their taxes). If you need an operation, you don't pay a penny extra. I've had one major operation in my life (to rebuild my nose after it healed badly following an accident and I couldn't breathe through my nose). I was waiting a couple of weeks because that was an elective surgery (I could still breathe through my mouth) but when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago, she went into hospital the next day and had surgery the day after that. When my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer the year after, she was in hospital that evening. Unfortunatly, because she was one of those people who avoid going to the doctor, it wasn't detected until it was much too late and she passed away about a week later (but surrounded by her family and in no pain).

Whether your taxes would go up is open to question. Currently, I'm on ESA (a form of unemployment insurance for the ill which I can claim for a mental illness) but when I was well, I paid an average of 30% and that's income tax and National Insurance (our version of Social Security). We don't have payroll taxes here so that's all I pay. Even if your current taxes are lower than that, add your insurance premium (or co-pay or whatever) and I wouldn't be at all surprised if you're actually paying more than we are.

[liberal_at_heart]

42. Thank you so much for your story

We need to hear what other countries are doing so we can try to model them although until we get the corporate lobbyists out of the government I'm not sure how we can model anybody or improve anything. I'm glad to hear that you and your family have received the medical care you have needed. By the way, the rich who can afford treatment for autism in the US pay an average of about $50,000 a year for treatment.