I don't give a damn if they do call us the "Democrat Party." In fact, maybe we should

[rateyes]

coopt the name. If we started using the term ourselves, it would take the fun out of it for them when they use it. Perhaps we should just smile and say, "I'm proud to be a member of the Democrat Party. And, regardless of what you call us--WE ARE STILL IN CHARGE, ASSHOLES!!"

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." "A skunk by any other name would still stink."

[Lucinda]

1. The term has never bothered me. But I know i'm in the minority on that.

[rateyes]

2. Me, neither. In fact, when I hear them use it, I know that they are stinging

from the ass-whooping they took.

[DrDan]

5. I don't think it is the name itself - just the fact that

the pigs are doing it just to get under our skins. That is what irritates me

[rateyes]

27. That's my point. "Get under our skins," and "irritates" are

synonymous. If we won't let it irritate us, then they can't get under our skins by using it.

[Johonny]

37. It does bother me either

but I still pick it up when I hear it from a republicans mouth. If something bothers you or not probably isn't the point. If term is used as an insult and is inserted into a conversation direct at you. It's still good to know the intention of the speaker, not the success or failure of that intention.

[denverbill]

39. It bothers me. A lot.

It was the douche-bag Reagan that started it.

It's a deliberate attempt to prejudice people against the Democratic Party by mispronouncing the party's name.

It's no different from the 9 year olds on the playground who tease or taunt other kids by mispronouncing their names.

And for the last 20 years, the press and Democrats have let them get away with it.

Do you really think congressional Democrats or Obama could start calling Boehner 'Boner' and not get corrected about it? And if they kept calling him Boner, wouldn't you expect them to be taken to task by the press for their childishness and eventually shamed into calling him by his correct name? But it never happens when Republicans continually mispronounce our party's name.

If we can't force the Republicans to stop acting like 9 year olds, how can we expect to ever return to civility and reasoned debate in politics.

Frankly I think Democrats should tell Boehner that all Democrats will mispronounce his name for an entire week anytime a Republican politician mispronounces our party name. I bet they'd manage to learn to say it correctly real quickly.

[misanthrope]

75. It's a cloaked pejorative...

...meant to show disrespect.

If your name was Daniel and someone kept calling you Dave despite your corrections, how does that make you feel? What does it say about them?

Of course, using the term "Democrat" when it should "Democratic" is also a self-identifier, like giving yourself a big label that says, "asshole."

[Raine]

79. It doesn't bother me

so if they think they are getting under my skin ... they're wasting their time and breath.

[lob1]

3. I think it's better to point out that they don't know how to correctly use

the English language, so how can they understand something really complex like tax cuts.

[muriel_volestrangler]

24. Grammatically, it is perfectly correct

English allows nouns to be used as adjectives, when indicating something containing, or made from, the noun - "tomato soup", "rose garden", "taxpayer coalition" etc.

Hence Liberal Democrat Party.

That doesn't mean it's fine to use the term "Democrat Party", of course - it's a chosen name, and so it shouldn't be altered at the whim of the speaker. But grammatically, it's OK.

[Justitia]

34. No, nouns are modified by adjectives - not other nouns. It's grammatically incorrect.

But once again, republicans are not known for their sweeping intellect.

[muriel_volestrangler]

49. So,m the examples I've given you so far have made no impression on you?

OK, we'll take the recent LBN headlines:

U.S. peanut plant (managers knew they) shipped salmonella-tainted products: FDA
Senate Committee endorses Blair as new intel chief
Boeing to Chop 10,000 Jobs
Starbucks to cut 6,700 jobs, close 300 stores
Whistleblower Amendment Passes: Federal Workers Now Protected In House Stimulus Bill
Domino is latest magazine to fall
AOL axing 700 jobs in cost-cutting move
World's leftists agree it's hard to hate Obama
Fed Readies Plan To Help Consumers Get More Credit-Card Debt
Postmaster General: Mail Days May Need To Be Cut
Leading Senate Dems Dismiss Report That Holder Promised No Torture Prosecutions
Top U.S official: There's no way to stop Iran's nuclear program

See? We use this construction all the time.

[Justitia]

50. No, I think you are referring to compound nouns, in open form. -eom

[muriel_volestrangler]

52. One noun is still modifying the other noun in a compound noun

OK, I should have said "English allows a noun to modify another noun". The point still stands: "Democrat Party" is grammatically fine. It's just not the name of the American political party.

[Justitia]

55. The only time a noun modifies a noun is in the case of a COMPOUND noun (i.e. "school bus")

That does not apply in this case - noun adjuncts (the noun acting as a modifier) are not predicative.

You can have a school bus, and you can have a yellow bus, but you cannot have a bus that is "school".

'Democrat Party' is glaringly incorrect.

[muriel_volestrangler]

57. And you can have a Democrat Party, like you can have a Liberal Democrat Party

Just like you can have a Taxpayer Coalition, or a Socialist Worker Party.

[Justitia]

58. Nope, still wrong. 'Democrat Party' is NOT a compound noun, by any stretch.

Would you use 'America People' as a grammatically correct way to refer to US citizens?
Of course not.

The only compound noun in your example is "taxpayer coalition".

[muriel_volestrangler]

60. How do you describe the others, then?

Why is 'taxpayer coalition' a compound noun, but 'Democrat Party' isn't? Both put a noun that refers to a person before a noun referring to a group of people, to form a compound noun.

I would say "United States citizens". "United States" is a compound noun, that modifies another noun to form another compound noun.

[Justitia]

63. The correct name is Liberal Democratic Party, just as we are the Democratic Party.

Taxpayer coalition - compound noun - noun adjunct "taxpayer" modifies noun coalition.

And without changing the terms of my most recent example - it's American People, not America People.
American is the modifier of People.

[muriel_volestrangler]

64. No it's not: I gave a link to their own website further up this sub-thread

The British party describe themselves as the Liberal Democrat Party. The 'Liberal Democratic Party' is a party in Japan, for instance.

And it's "United States citizens", isn't it? You used it yourself, as "US citizens".

[Justitia]

67. Uh,no they don't - they call themselves Liberal Democrats, as we are Democrats.

Liberal Democratic Party is a name used in many countries.

Re: US citizens - it is a synonym of American People.

[muriel_volestrangler]

69. You haven't clicked on the link, have you?

Yes, it's a synonym; and it is grammatically correct.

There more be a way to use "America people"; just as you as "Israel advocate", for someone who is an advocate of Israel (though they may not be Israeli themselves), or "people person", for a person who gets on well with people, so "America people" could mean "people who support America".

[Justitia]

71. I don't think you know how to read modifiers. "Liberal" modifies "Democrat".

I don't know how else to explain grammar to you!

I should also mention that the UK name is the result of the combination of two previously separate parties.

There is no such phrase as "America People" just like there is no such phrase "Democrat Party" - not without disregarding grammar completely.

[muriel_volestrangler]

72. and "Liberal Democrat" modifies "party"

Look, since you're unable to follow a link, I'll copy it here:

"Ros Scott elected Liberal Democrat Party President"

See?

Do you maintain there is no such phrase as "Israel advocate"?

[Justitia]

73. No it doesn't

First of all, remember you are talking about a combined party name (Liberal Party & Social DemocratIC Party).

Ross Scott is both a Liberal Democrat and Party President. You are misreading the sentence, using the compound noun "liberal democrat" as a modifier for "Party" - making a double compound noun - which is incorrect.

I would contend that "Israel advocate" really means advocate of Israel. That does not translate to "Democrat Party" meaning party of Democrat.

I really don't know how to make it any clearer.

[muriel_volestrangler]

78. There is nothing 'incorrect' about a double compound noun

That the party came from a merger of 2 parties makes no difference; but it does show that dropping the '-ic' wasn't a problem. 'Liberal Democrat' is a compound noun; it can then be used to modify other nouns. You can argue that 'Party President' (a compound noun itself) is what is modified by 'Liberal Democrat', or that 'President' is modified by 'Liberal Democrat Party', but it remains perfectly clear that 'Liberal Democrat' modifies another noun, forming a new compound noun, at one stage. What you can do with 'Liberal Democrat', you can do with 'Democrat'.

The "Democrat Party" would be a party suitable for a democrat to join. Compound nouns not not have to directly translate to 'of'. A "Democracy party" would be suitable for someone who supports democracy.

You are unclear because you are wrong.

exists within the Liberal Democrat Party
The task is to build a strong, effective, powerful Liberal Democrat party
Liberal Democrat Party Conference

etc.

[Justitia]

82. I'm done teaching you grammar you should already know. Be a RW parrot, I don't care.

Just know that people are judging you the same way we judge wingnuts who do this.

At least they do it as an obvious insult, not because they simply don't know any better.

:dunce:

[muriel_volestrangler]

83. I have given you numerous examples of why "Liberal Democrat Party" is OK

and how similar expressions are perfectly normal English. It is you you are unable to apply the rules of grammar, apparently because you think that you have to say Republicans are unable to use English. All that is actually needed, as I said in my first post in this sub-thread, is that the correct name for the party in the USA is "the Democratic Party", because that was the name that was chosen - just as referring to "Bill Clinton" is OK, because that is a name he is happy with, but "Willy Clinton" wouldn't be, because that is a name (although just as 'valid', in terms of shortening 'William') which he does not use.

That you now resort to insulting me, by calling me a 'RW parrot', reflects very badly on you. You should stick to discussing English grammar when that is the topic. All you have been able to do is repeat "'Democrat Party' is grammatically wrong" without giving any reason. If you have run out of arguments, then you should just leave the thread, without insulting DUers.

[fascisthunter]

59. ever hear of the Republic Party?

[muriel_volestrangler]

61. It would be grammatically correct

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

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/766425/Muslim-Peoples-Republic-Party

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/411995/New-Republic-Party

etc.

[fascisthunter]

65. not in America in Regards to the US's Republican Party

sorry but you are wrong

[muriel_volestrangler]

70. My whole point is that the name the party chose was "Demcratic Party", and so that is the only

way it should be referred to. I said that a long time ago. But the Republic Party did exist. You could start a party called "The America Party".

[hlthe2b]

4. as long as we can refer to them as the Repugnant Party...

:eyes:

[rateyes]

7. That's just truth in advertising. nt

[CTyankee]

8. I'm fond of "rethuglican" myself. n/t

[hlthe2b]

33. Any and all of the above....

;)

[lutefisk]

15. I kind of like "Repelican Party" myself. I find them all quite repellant...n/t

[denverbill]

40. It's the Republican Party. Individual's in that party are Republickers. n/t

[Raine]

80. I like the term RePUKE because

they always make me :puke:

[Shardik]

6. It bothers me.

They are trying to disassociate the term "Democratic" with our party.

[rateyes]

11. Well, to be honest, the Democrats are the ones who actually believe

that we live in a Republic. Republicans don't see it that way.

[Stephanie]

12. It's bothers me because it's designed to provoke, deliberately insulting

It's taken from Limbaugh et al. and spewed now in the halls of Congress and even the WH when Chimpy was there. If that's acceptable, then we might as well let them call us feminazis as well, because the intent to insult is the same.

[lutefisk]

21. I was actually shocked when I heard the old Chimperor himself say "Democrat Party"

I thought he had some respect for the system and his role in it all. I guess I was wrong about that low-class fool...

[dbonds]

9. If we change the name lets use the "Reality Party"

[TankLV]

10. no - it's a deliberate INSULT...

I will call them REPUKES till THEY stop FIRST, since THEY started this crap...

[rateyes]

16. Insults don't work unless

one behaves like one is insulted. When someone calls me an S.O.B., I look at them and say, "I know." Pisses them off. Makes me laugh.

[TankLV]

44. I believe I'm insulted when they use the term - I fire back with "repuke"...

If they don't like it - they can stop using it FIRST...

It's an INSULT regardless if you feel insulted or not...

don't believe me - try using your logic after calling someone a "nigger"...and see what you get when you tell that person that they are only insulted by the word if they let themselves be insulted...

sorry, but your position is BULLSHIT...

[Uncle Joe]

13. I hate to disagree considering your handle but to me

Democratic evokes democracy; rule of the people, Democrat evokes a demon rat, something that lives in the sewers of Hell.

I believe the Republicants know this, one thing is for sure the corporate media never abbreviate using the name of their party.

[rateyes]

20. Hey, I'm "democratic" enough to handle the fact that you disagree...

:hi:

[Uncle Joe]

23. Peace to you, rateyes.

:hi:

[rateyes]

25. And, to you, as well, Uncle Joe.

And, btw, I have an Uncle Joe. :fistbump:

[Tommy_Carcetti]

14. It's akin to referring to the country of Ukraine as "the Ukraine"

Which is better than calling it "Russia" but still rankles Ukrainians as an insult.

[TankLV]

45. I'm Ukrainian and it doesn't rankle me - "The Ukraine" is the proper term for the country...

just like "The United States"

you don't know what you're talking about regarding The Ukraine...

we don't call it just "United States" either...

[Posteritatis]

76. Most Ukrainians born there I know (and Ukraine's gov't) disagree with you (nt)

[Tommy_Carcetti]

77. Trust me. My Ukrainian born mom taught me very well that it is Ukraine, and not "the Ukraine"

And the official term for the country since independence in 1991 has always been Ukraine, not "the Ukraine." "The Ukraine" gives the impression that the country is a loose geographic region as opposed to a nation with a distinct people, history, culture and language.

A good article on the subject:

http://www.infoukes.com/faq/the_ukraine/

[T Wolf]

17. It is, pure and simple, an insult. Change the words to Jew versus Jewish and you will understand.

It is using a verb as an adjective, reducing the entire person to that one characteristic that is offensive to the one misusing the term.

[rateyes]

22. Of course it's an insult. I simply don't allow myself to be insulted by it.

In fact, it's useful for identifying the assholes.

[T Wolf]

32. So, should we allow influencial people to call Obama a nig**r rather than a black man?

They use it, and the public hears it, as a derogatory term. Do you think there is no harm being done by that concerted effort? Especially when seen and heard constantly in the media and in Congress.

[rateyes]

42. Number one, I cannot "disallow" anyone from using

any derogatory term. The first amendment bars me from "allowing" or "disallowing" what word a person chooses to use. I may not like it, but the law itself allows it. It also allows us to protest the use of that word. So, if an "influential" person wants to shoot him/herself in the foot by using the term, then that's their choice--for which they will have to pay the consequences.

Number two: No, I don't think a person using the term "Democrat Party" harms us at all. They've been using it since before Herbert Hoover. Who controls the White House and the Congress?

Again, those who use it simply show their ignorance, and that plays in our favor.

[TankLV]

46. It was seldom used before bush*...almost NEVER...

[rateyes]

48. Yes, it was. Hoover used it. EISENHOWER used it.

It's been an epithet for YEARS.

[JuniperLea]

18. It's a reflection of them, not us

Every time I hear one of them use the bastardized "Democrat Party" term, I chuckle to myself. What assholes.

[lutefisk]

26. I agree they are assholes, and that's what makes civil discourse with them almost impossible.

As Al Franken used to say on his radio show- they are children.

They wear suits and have (sort of) grown-up looking hair, but they are children. Very, very bad children.

[JuniperLea]

31. The beauty of that is...

Obama is insistent about TRYING to get them involved in civil discourse. The more they refuse, the more they whine, the worse (more childish) they appear.

I'm reminded of when my kids were small... four to seven probably... no matter how calm and cool "the big person" is, there will be whining, crying, and maybe even foot stomping. Obama appears to be a good parent. I'm betting he can handle these pea brains.

[Owl]

19. I agree. I think it's all silly. Besides, I consider myself a "Democrat", not a "Democratic".

[Uncle Joe]

29. What if you drop the "a" saying you are Democratic has more marketing power than

saying you are Democrat.

The obvious subliminal message being the Republicans aren't Democratic, I believe this is part of the reason our party's name is abbreviated by the corporate media while theirs isn't, they know marketing.

[TankLV]

47. You are a "Democrat" - you belong to the "DemocraTIC Party"...

it's really quite simple, really...

[democracy1st]

28. Its not the correct name

[WI_DEM]

30. Back in the 19th century and early 20th the party was often called "The Democracy"

[EFerrari]

35. It sure would force them to reprogram their drones.

:)

[omega minimo]

36. ... except for the part where it's willfully ignorant, obnoxiously dumbed down, antagonistic & rude.

why give in to bullies?

[rateyes]

43. Who would be giving in?

It would be disarming them.

[omega minimo]

68. by enabling their Orwellian abuse of a repulsive term?

:thumbsdown:

If it wasn't part of the bigger package of BS they've sold the country for too long, I might agree with you.

[CitizenPatriot]

38. so then they are the Repub Party

or, during the bush era, the Pub Party.

OK, that works.

[Edweird]

41. As a Democrat, the use of "Democrat Party" doesn't bother me in the slightest.

http://www.democrats.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democrat

If some bonehead jerkoff thinks it's an insult, so what? I don't. I'd rather be a member of 'The Democrat Party" than a member of the widely repudiated loser party.

[Puzzler]

51. Is that what people in the "Repubic Party" call Dems?

{sarcasm}

[kiranon]

53. Use it to your advantage. I know in advance where someone stands.

And it is then my choice to let them spew on, turn it off or find out where they stand before I show my hand. Works for me. I can label any one who uses "Democrat party" a fool from the start of the conversation.

[Dumak]

54. It's definitely meant to be an insult...

but it's also a message to their hardcore base, saying they are one of them. Sort of like a Nazi salute.
The *benefit* is that it automatically identifies them as an asshole, and you will know who are dealing with.

[elizfeelinggreat]

56. "A skunk by any other name would still stink."

And they do stink when they insist on using the word as an insult. Look at who is doing it, they're insulting us.

It may be tiring but I do not think we should give up. I wish you could take your attitude and change it to: I think we should call them ignorant or laugh at them every time they use that word.

How about a deadpan "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

THEY need to grow up if they want us to pay any attention to them. Anyone who doesn't know the correct way to use the word should immediately - immediately - be corrected.

No sour grapes need to be thrown, simply point out their mistake and move on, but correct them EVERY TIME.

[Blue-Jay]

62. Limnuts used to do a commercial - "People Judge You By The Words You Use!"

Well, druggie, I judge YOU to be a stupid sack of shit.

[TriplD]

66. Rep Weiner (NY) ripped on the "Republic Party" in a speech

in 2007:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsqprEihjXg&feature=PlayList&p=1BA6E57D86DAED13&playnext=1&index=29

He says it like 20 times in 4 minutes. Good stuff.


IMO the best response if they are going to take literary license with the name of my party is to call them whatever the hell I want.

I like "Repubclan party".

[ColbertWatcher]

74. I think it's just a matter of not understanding English.

Democratic is an adjective to describe the party.

The GOPers have never been able to explain themselves very well, so maybe that's why they have so much trouble with the language.

[BlooInBloo]

81. (facepalm) More cowards happy to give in to them, and call it victory.