Can the Democratic Party Survive Middle-of-the-Road Politics Today?

[Totally Committed]

Another outstanding BuzzFlash Reader Contribution:

Can the Democratic Party Survive Middle-of-the-Road Politics Today?

MS. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON
by Shirley Smith

I have Robert Greenwald's Film on Wal-Mart; however, I haven't watched it yet. Before I could watch it ... tonight, A&E's Biography Channel had their older version of Sam Wal-Mart's biography. It had information that I should have known, but had I known, the Clintons' role in US politics would have been easier to guess, even before they went to the White House.

Sam Walton was a devout Republican, and they had the presentation by Bush I and Barbara giving Sam Walton the Medal of Freedom in an honorary gathering in Arkansas shortly before his death in '92. Hillary was on Wal-Mart's board of directors when Clinton was governor during the 80's. I don't know how long she was on the board and Clinton got Sam Walton of Wal-Mart to start buying out of the country which actually was a seed that probably has resulted in NAFTA.

One can't argue that the Clintons have always been political animals. And, since they always try to please the Republicans, I have never understood why the Bush GOP constantly went after the Clintons, unless it was just from the pure spite driven by the Bush clan. If I had been Clinton, you would never find me anywhere near either Bush, where I would be breathing the same polluted air.

I am surprised about this flag-burning law, but when haven't these DLC Democrats done things to please the Republicans while taking the Democratic votes for granted. Eh? And, these DLC democrats think that because of the anger against this Bush GOP regime, that they will be a shoo in. I don't want a Republican or a Republican Lite heading up this government for as long as I live. We Americans don't need any more of what these people have to give us ... it's been like taking a dose of arsenic and then having to say "thank you very much" for noticing all of us out here in the mother land ... right before they have killed us all off.

Daily Kos: Clinton sponsors anti-flag burning law:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/12/5/205257/190


To me, both Hillary and Bill Clinton have always walked in the middle of the road sorta, kinda like ... way too bipartisan for my taste. Why? Because, as we have found, when Democrats are being "bipartisan," the American citizen gets our breath taken away by a kick in the gut from the Bush GOP members in Congress. Arkansas has more Democrats in office than Republicans today, but I don't know what kind of Democrats they are. It is surprising to me, when the big money in Arkansas ... Walton and Tyson ... are Republicans, and I would think that the state probably caters to both of these companies. They also have, in Rogers, AK, I forget the name, but it is a very large gun manufacturing company, and I would be very surprised if the owner was not a Republican. These three companies are world renowned companies ... very large and all Republican.

The Clintons did not have to worry about not being supported by these Republicans much in the same way that other Democrats who cater to Republicans do not have to worry ... my thought is that I want them all to worry about the Democrats for a change. It's past the time that the Democrats out in the mother land get the support from our Representatives that we deserve. If that were to happen ... I think people would then know what the Democratic Party stands for. Of course, when a Republican supports a Democrat, they are buying favors. This is one reason why the Bush GOP have been able to take over US government. We haven't received anything of any worth from any Republican today ... and, it is outrageous to have these Democrats (those who are still supporting Bush GOP ideas) just keep on keeping on with this treasonous Bush GOP regime and anyone in Congress who supports them. Now, for Hillary to pull a conservative GOP trick like this flag burning bit ... it's not Democratic, and it's not what any true Democrat would do, in my opinion, unless a person is willing to do anything for a goddamn vote. It is, however, what a Bush Republican would do. No wonder people look at those Democrats in Congress, and can't see any difference from the Republican Party ... hence, the Democratic Party has this identity problem because of these people who represent us, which the reason many citizens of the US just supposed everything has been a-okay because there has been no opposition to the Bush GOP and their leadership ... "no opposition party!"

If the Democratic Party is to lead this nation, we have to separate the real Democrats from the Republicans just for starters ... otherwise, how can Democrats convince voters that we are any better than these puffed up propagandized, crazy, greed ridden Bush GOP chickenhawk warriors who are presently nesting and crapping all over the White House.

Just a thought,

Thanks BuzzFlash,

Shirley Smith

http://www.buzzflash.com/smith/05/12/smi05068.html

[Goldensilence]

1. while seperate the repub lite from dems

would be the right thing to do. I don't see the democrats really breaking too far. They would rather stay middle of the road and cater to the same votes that the repubs go for. This is being seen more and more by the middle far left now and this keeps leaching votes away. Fact of the matter is if they don't start appealing to the left on a regular basis they won't win any election soon.

[Totally Committed]

2. Personally, I think it is time to draw the line, and

send the DLC packing. I have said this in many ways, and many times, but they are an insideous lot.

They have weakened this Party, not only with the rank-and-file voting Democrats, but have attacked and derided the Party's base. They are a faction without a true constituency in the Party, and they need to be told to sit down and shut up or get the hell out. And, they need to be told to take their sorry-ass members/candidates with them.

TC

[welshTerrier2]

3. a shrewd republican strategist once said ...

"a house divided against itself cannot stand" ...

the Democratic Party's big tent is really not a big tent at all but rather 3 smaller tents ... one tent is the DLC; one tent houses party moderates and middle-of-the-road liberals; and one tent houses the Party's left, disaffected Democrats who no longer vote at all and former Dems who have moved on to third parties ...

we cannot continue on our current path ... the Party seems both unwilling and unable to find a way to bring its various factions back under one roof ... some say "kick out the DLC" ... others scream about Nader or Greens killing the Party ... others complain about the wishy-washy middle ...

one thing's for sure, the path we've been walking has brought us to exactly where we are ... and it seems like there is no call for reform ... the old battles just keep on a-going ... day after day after day ... there is no process to resolve our differences ... we are an "every man for himself, or herself, party" ...

there are no guarantees of unity even if we try hard to achieve it ... my point here, however, is that we are NOT even trying ... if we continue as before, our house, i.e. our tent, will not stand ...

[Pithy Cherub]

4. An informal powerful third party decides elections.

The Corporate Party of which there are Democratic and republican paid in full members of Corporations First. Democrats who espouse business first and the effects of the people second, are signaling business and corporate entities that their votes can be bought. Money is the second most corrupting influence in politics.

A oft used definition of being a successful business person means that in the interest of corporate person-hood, the corporation came first and foremost in the quest for profits. The distribution of profits in any company determines where the real priorities are addressed. If investment capital is put to buy more infrastructure, executive bonuses and pays shareholders before consideration is given to the rank and file then it is clear, the corporation comes first. Many an evil and sad tale can be told about how money is wasted in corporations on "pet" projects, but not used for pay equity adjustments, fair wages, retirement plans and decent benefits.

The people have been displaced from the public square by flashy big money corporate sponsorship and disregard for the common good. Some venal and vile Corporation First pols try to point to a program that they have championed that helps the public, but review the timing, it is after legislation has been passed that eviscerates the common good first. The IWR vote will live in world history and indolent infamy for being the most immoral vote cast in their tenures. Medicare, bankruptcy bills, NAFTA, CAFTA, Patriot Acts, and on and on. Worse, they pass "feel good" legislation that becomes unfunded mandates that contributes to the cycle of disabling the common good.

Perhaps the Flag burning nonsense, is about making it illegal to burn a corporate Flag which is the next iteration of the nation's flag. Short shrift is given to the reasons the American Flag used to be a very proud symbol around the world. Those who have fought, died and shed blood and tears for this nation have strong feelings about the symbolism of the American flag. The symbolism is for Freedom, Justice and Liberty. It is NOT hard to champion an amendment when what the real American Flag stands for is held in such low regard by Corporation First politicians.

[MrBenchley]

5. You know, there's a perfectly pure left wing party out there....

called the Green party uttely uncorrupted by "corporatists", "middle of the roaders", etc.

Of course, voters think they're a piece of shit.