My suggestion to the Democratic Party -- Be the opposition Party !

[kentuck]

Forget about compromise and "bi-partisanship". Oppose everything that Bush proposes unless it is part of our own agenda. Then explain to the public why we oppose it - because it is a terrible idea! This is no time to be the person that "works across the aisle". Because, if you do that, you have betrayed our Party.

[ewagner]

1. Text book role of opposition party

PLUS

The role of the opposition party includes OFFERING ALTERNATIVES to policies proposed by the majority party.

[dogman]

19. Precisely!

It's easy to oppose but you better have an alternative and it needs to be spelled out enough to convince people it is viable. Not just an idea that allows the opposition to define it.

[Doohickie]

24. Did you know there is a "Shadow Cabinet" in England?

The opposition has a "shadow cabinet" member for each of the cabinet positions to offer alternative ideas to the governing party, and to present their side of it.

That would be a brilliant idea for the Dems to adopt, because then it would show our proposals in contrast to the Repubs' and also give "face time" to several potential leaders for the future. Part of Kerry's problem, at least early on, was name recognition. But if he had been the Shadow Secretary of State, for instance, his opposition to the war and his alternatives for fighting after we were already there would have been well known prior to the campaign.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

I hope the DNC reads this post and considers naming a Shadow Cabinet as part of a move to more formally becoming an Opposition Party.

Huzzzzah!

[liberalpragmatist]

29. I've felt the same way

I even think we should have a "shadow President" - the problem, of course, is that that person would be in a really strong position for the next election cycle and many highers-up wouldn't want that. Still, I think, for instance, Kerry, would make an excellent Shadow President. He wears well, and I think he'd come to be very respected and well-liked by the American people. He'd position himself as a party elder-statesman, perhaps set himself up for a 2008 run or be the prime candidate for Secretary of State, for instance. And even if he isn't the '08 nominee, then the eventual nominee will benefit from there having been sustained opposition over the past 4 years.

[another5bdem]

33. Yup

I've seen this posted elsewhere and I think it's one of the best ideas I've heard in a long time. Kerry is the one with political capital, and he should move to do something like this while dems are still more or less united behind him. I think the best thing that could happen for the repubs (besides getting away with stealing the election--unfortunately I think that's a done deal though)is for us to go back to our unfocused grumbling and terribly clever snide comments about Bush. Presenting a real alternative to their bullshit and articulating it well, as I think Kerry could do, will expose them for what they are.

:kick:

[Pacifist Patriot]

2. This is what I've been advocating.

I've heard some discouraging news from people who have been meeting with democrats who have retained their positions of power. It's not pretty. They seem to be more concerned with winning over republicans than responding to their base. They absolutely have to position themselves as an opposition party. I said as much in a diatribe I had to get off my chest the morning after the election.

http://www.unitarianminister.org/nov3.htm

[Us vs Them]

3. Not so much the Opposition Party as the Logic Party

I agree that this is not the time for the Democratic Party to compromise Right in any way. However, in explaining our positions - exactly why we oppose, and not just for the sake of opposition, we may have to adequately frame this logic for the consumption of the populace.

[eleonora]

4. we need to focus on SOLUTIONS

If we keep on barking without offering CLEAR solutions we're doing nothing

[brainshrub]

5. My God! That's so crazy it just might work!

[Fleshdancer]

6. opp...oppo...opposition??? I vaguely remember that word

lol

Seriously though, I've been bitching about this for years now. Compromising is great when you have something to compromise but at this point, the "middle" has shifted far enough to the right that a liberal would have to compromise almost everything to meet that goal.

If we thought the past four years were bad, imagine what the NEXT four years are going to be like. Bush without the worry of a campaign to win? Yeah, not fun. Big important issues are staring us in the face...equal rights, privacy rights, Patriot Act II, replacing at least one SC Justice, and, dare I say it, a war with Iran? This is no time to sit pretty and play nice. It's time to speak up and fight for what we believe. I hate to think of what will happen if we don't.

[geek tragedy]

7. Word to your mother.

I've been advocating this all over the place.

Of course, the first step is articulating a core message.

[Patiod]

8. Are you suggesting they retire the pink tutus?

Might be a tough sell.

[RUTalking2me]

9. I like that attitude!

Hi all - Just browsing around trying to figure out the website.

Looks cool.

[Us vs Them]

10. Wrote the Progressive Charta in my head last night before falling asleep

Progressive Charta

This is what 3 AM idealism will yield.

1. Uphold, to the death, the power of the Constitution.
The first and most important article of the Progressive Charta will resound as policy for all party decisions.

2. All life is created equal, and will be treated as such.
The goal of the Progressive Party is to continue to foster the achievements of humankind. The lives of all individuals will be considered in actions resulting directly and indirectly from party decisions.

3. A well educated populace is a successful and happy populace.
The Progressive Charta holds paramount the need for truth to prevail. In all aspects of media, public education, and governmental policy, the involvement of the citizen will be encouraged.

4. The values of America come from the fundamentals of a democracy.
The Progressive Party values a fair and balanced government. Values of society will change in time, but a solid government will hold constant. Freedom of its citizens will guarantee the ability to lead life as they see fit.

5. When trust is fostered, society will prosper.
The American way of life has most amazing results when its citizens are united towards a common goal.

[Me.]

11. Then We Need More 3 am

In our lives

[c-macdonald]

26. How Progressives Can Win the Culture War

We are Americans.

We are teachers, lawyers, bankers, and doctors.
We work in factories, warehouses, farmhouses and office buildings.
We attend sporting events, company picnics, church functions, and reunions.
...and we believe we are a united country.

We stand up and sing along when we hear the National Anthem and speak loudly when we recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
We know love and life-long commitment are the foundations of a family.
We honor those who dedicate their lives to serving and protecting our children, our families, and our freedom.
We honor those who gave their lives for freedom by respecting the freedom of our neighbors to live the lives they lead.
We know that God gives us the strength to succeed and the wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong.
We ask our teachers and parents to work together in order to help our children succeed.
We demand a maximum return for our tax investments and believe they should be used for the greater good.

We believe in the American birth-right of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
We believe in empowering and giving voices to all Americans.
We believe in is both a right and responsibility to speak out where we feel there is injustice.
We believe in the sanctity of nature and that the beauty of America must be preserved.
We believe in cultivating a culture of service where we develop stronger communities built on empathy.
We believe in working hard and embracing progress in order to ensure better opportunities for our children.
We believe in our cultural inheritance set forth by our founding fathers to never be satisfied with the status quo.
We believe in being a beacon of hope and integrity for the rest of the world.

We are hard-workers, free-thinkers and freedom-lovers.
We are Americans.

-TCNJ 11/12/04

[bobbyboucher]

12. Oppose everything!

Right on.

[Rich Hunt]

13. irony

That's so ironic it makes my head spin.

The real 'opposition party' are the Republicans. The neo-cons project is to neutralize every liberal ideal. They are reacting to us.

We learn who we really are by looking at what they are trying to obliterate.

[Cha]

14. Where have I heard that before?

Oh yeah..from Dean.

Also, I think Kerry sounded very much the opposition party when I would listen to his stump speeches.

I still can't believe there are so many Willfully Ignorant voters in the USA.

But, yeah..it would be real nice if the Dem Senators acted like "THe Opposition Party"..don't they do that in England..so the supporters of said party really feel like they're being represented?

[The Wielding Truth]

15. Stop the bleeding out of democracy. Oppose the close minded.

[Cha]

16. Yeah, I oppose them

all right!

[Q]

17. This will NEVER happen as long as you have the Clinton DLCers...

...running the party. Some of you won't believe this...but it's the influence of the DLC on the party that has brought this attitude of appeasement. It started right after the impeachment and after Lieberman pressured Gore to concede.

- The DLCers don't want to fight the RWingers...they want to blend with them and share the power behind closed doors.

[driver8]

18. Pisses me off

Man, this really pisses me off...if they want to be a bunch of "blind followers" of this administration then fuck them.

There are enough angry people in this country to make the lives of the administration miserable.

No compromise with these criminals!!!

[DuaneBidoux]

20. Wow! What a concept!

[NorthCoast]

21. We are the minority party.....

Filibuster every issue?

We will be labeled as the obstructionist party.

Make a choice (choose one):

A. Do whats best for the country

B. Do whats best for the party

And...

Make a choice (choose one):

A. Win the 2008 election

B. Promote the liberal agenda

[kentuck]

22. Why do we have to choose ???

If we do what's best for the country, it will be what's best for the Party also....

[NorthCoast]

23. Just for kicks, if you HAD to make a choice.....

which way would you go?

choose one:

A. Do whats best for the country

B. Do whats best for the party

And...

choose one:

A. Win the 2008 election

B. Promote the liberal agenda

[kentuck]

25. I would not vote like the freepers did...

But you make it sound as if they are in contradiction?? Do you think what is best for the Party is bad for our country?

[NorthCoast]

27. With any path chosen, there is an opportunity cost

Two separate paths are not necessarily contradictions in opposing directions, but they may not be perfectly synonymous choices either.

Which paths would you choose?

choose one:

A. Do whats best for the country

B. Do whats best for the party

And...

choose one:

A. Win the 2008 election

B. Promote the liberal agenda

[kentuck]

28. Which did you choose ?

Did you really vote for Bush??

[NorthCoast]

30. This isn't a trick question

Are you unable to choose a path? There isn't a right or wrong answer. I'm not trying to trip you up. Merely a philosophical inquiry. You do have a preference don't you?

choose one:

A. Do whats best for the country

B. Do whats best for the party

And...

choose one:

A. Win the 2008 election

B. Promote the liberal agenda

[newyawker99]

32. Hi NorthCoast!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[njmst12]

31. Risky Idea!!

The party has to find a balance between strongly oppossing the republican agenda and also finding common ground to get things done. Democratic leadership in the congress have to carefuly weigh the political outcomes of both options and its going to be difficult.