Why Democrats Run from Real Change

[StarfarerBill]

By Ian Welsh, Open Left

Forty-five percent of the Democratic base now says they aren't going to vote in 2010 or are thinking of not voting. This is a direct result of Democrats in Congress and the Presidency doing things the base disagrees with or not doing things the base wants to see done. It appears politically stupid to act as they have, and yet, they did. So why?

Elected Democrats at the Federal level are members of the national elite. If they weren't a member when they were elected, they are quickly brought into the fold. They are surrounded by lobbyists, other members and staffers who were lobbyists, as a rule. They learn they need to raise immense amounts of money in the off years when normal people aren't giving, and that the only way to raise that money is for corporate interests and rich people to write them. They also receive the benefits of elite status, very quickly. It's not an accident that the every Senator except Bernie Sanders is wealthy.

Whatever Americans think, whether they support a public option or single payer; whether they're for or against Iraq or Afghanistan; whether they agree with bailing out banks or not, elite consensus is much much narrower than American public opinion. It starts at the center right and heads over to reactionary (repeal the entire progressive movement and the New Deal, taking America back to the 1890s).

More:
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/144918/why_democrats_run_from_real_change/

[ixion]

1. kicked and recommended

it would be nice to see some real change, rather than the status quo corporate fellatio.

[bemildred]

2. Because the government is thoroughly corrupted and decadent.

No established political party will ever have an interest in real reform.

[Captain Hilts]

3. How does he define 'base'? Dems lose the turnout race in off years. Young and people of color are

FAR less likely to vote in off years.

[Lost4words]

4. I believe this is true, I always called them establishment Dem's.

My long term observation, members of both parties fight tooth and nail to maintain the status quo!

stay tuned for more of the same...

[DrDan]

5. they actually believed they were voting for "change" . . .only to find out there will be no "change"

so why vote? The corporations will win regardless of who sits in the WH - or in congress.

[Better Today]

7. I see your "they," and raise you to "we"

[DrDan]

8. call

[Daveparts still]

6. Because they are not Real Democrats

they are moderate Republicans, Real Democrats running would win Real Big!