What does "I'm a Democrat" mean nowadays? Are there any "bedrock principles" that one must share

[Atticus]

in order to claim the name, or is it enough to just declare your membership in the party?

I used to know the answers to those questions and thought that I had been a pretty damn good Democrat since birth. My dad was a precinct committeeman and the first dollar I ever earned was for tacking up Democratic campaign posters back in the 1950's. But, apparently I am not a Democrat any longer or, at least, I am not a very good one.

So, seriously, what are the current "core beliefs" of our party?

Are any of our "lines" set in concrete or are they all just scuffed in the sand, to be redrawn as "pragmatic realities" change from time to time?

[Arctic Dave]

1. Not sure. Apparently I am not a real Democrat or a Liberal one at that anymore.

Will watch this thread to find out if I belong to this party anymore.

[tekisui]

2. No bedrock principles only to support the President in all his decisions.

That is all that matters, right?

:shrug:

[bobbolink]

3. "I'm for sale. Buy me".

[Demeter]

4. FDR, or DLC?

For the People, or for the Corporation?

That's the problem. There's two faces, on opposite sides, within one party.

[ldf]

19. there is no "For the People" in the democratic party

didn't you get the memo?

the party is the leadership, NOT the members. they have wrested control, and have no intention of allowing options.

we are not relevant (haven't been for quite a while). we are nothing more than a nuisance.

we are a short term funding source, while they much prefer long term, corporate. they lie to us to get our votes, and then we become "fringe" lunatics.

since the democratic leadership are now just another wing of the republican party (they must be since the minority republicans call all the shots, write our legislation, and decides what comes up for a vote), what can we reasonably expect?

change that needs to happen will not happen in the democratic party.

the entire party leadership has to go, or there must be another option.

and i don't see the leadership going anywhere. they have been quite successful so far. they only solution is they must lose.

and we must go elsewhere.

[rug]

5. Bedrock is such a partisan word.

[stray cat]

6. You tend to vote for democrats

[Fumesucker]

7. There are Democratts who oppose a woman's rights regarding reproductive choice..

You don't get a lot more "bedrock" than that.

[lonestarnot]

8. I can tell you that within my definition, the democratic party should never support the rich

and corporate ripoffs above working people's interests. Therefore those policies that support the rich should not be supported by democrats over the interest of people that support America, and those people the median income earners and below!

[bluestate10]

22. Not all rich people are bad. Some are out working hard to create

and maintain jobs and benefits for american workers. But there are many selfish rich that some how became disconnected from the experiences and meaning that one draws from having been poor. Some rich want to assist and uplift, others know nothing but deceit and taking advantage. As a group, the rich is as complex as any other group. Lumping the rich together as an amorphous 2% is wholly wrong and ultimately self defeating, because by doing so you turn back the hand of the rich that are a credit to the nation and the human race.

[BzaDem]

9. Sure. How about make the most progressive choice on taxes out of the choices available.

Exactly what Obama is doing.

[ThomCat]

23. But he didn't.

He caved it, and he ended up with a tax plan giving more to the rich than even the republican plan wanted. How is that progressive by any measure, much less the most progressive choice available?

Obama repeatedly proves that he cannot negotiate worth a damn.

He's starts by adopting the republican position from the start, starting on the right, and then makes concessions to move farther to the right from there. There is never any chance of getting a progressive outcome.

[notesdev]

10. Ping me if you get a good answer

I used to think I knew, but who the hell knows anymore.

Apparently even perpetual war is now a Democratic policy in this brave new world.

[LuvNewcastle]

11. If you're a private citizen,

it usually means you're more liberal. If you're a politician, it doesn't mean a hell of a lot.

[Angry Dragon]

12. The same rights for everyone

[L0oniX]

13. •••

[Dogmudgeon]

14. Bitterly complaining about the Democratic President

That's the only commonly-shared "principle" of the Democratic Party I've seen in my lifetime.

Kennedy. Johnson. Carter. Clinton. Obama. Plus about a dozen guys who ran against the Republicans, but lost.

--d!

[Davis_X_Machina]

15. You don't punish children..

...for their choice of parents, and you don't use actually-existing people as the means to an end, no matter how desirable in the long run it might be.

[NeoConsSuck]

16. People before money

that would be a good start.

[DeSwiss]

17. Here's the difference.......

- You'll notice which one has the club......

K&R

[JDPriestly]

18. FDR stated the principles of the Democratic Party better than anyone

The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;
The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
The right of every family to a decent home;
The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
The right to a good education.
All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Bill_of_Rights

I would add the right to a complete environment and free access to clean air and clean water at preferably no cost.

[bluestate10]

20. One bedrock principle is to fight for people that can't fight for themselves.

We have different methods of accomplishing that goal, but with all my heart, I feel that we all strive to reach it. I am a moderate. I won't be found at street protests or participating in most boycotts. But I make personal decisions daily that show what I am, no true democrat is comfortable with making a dollar without giving some of it to those less fortunate. Some of us attach strings of a notion called self reliance to that gift, others do not.

[Angry Dragon]

21. Clear seperation of church and state

backed up with biting laws when the line is crossed

[DemocratAholic]

24. Republicans are evil demons and devil worshippers...

and Democrats are fighting them. It is as simple as that. Good (Democrats) vs. evil (Republicans). And I mean that in all seriousness.