Why are YOU a Democrat?

[UrbScotty]

I am a Democrat because I am a regular, patriotic American. I love America and everything it's about: Freedom, democracy, and aiming for your dreams. I love this nation for all it's worth. I'm not a jingoist, imperialist, nationalist, or any other kind of 'ist;' I'm a... well, let's not break into song, but "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy." (Though I don't have an Uncle Sam, and my birhday is on October 21, not July 4 ;-) ). I also love the fact that people have been so willing to sacrifice so much to preserve our freedoms. My great-uncle gave his life in Korea.

Democrats stuck out to me as people who also like America. Democrats are the ones who care about Americans, as evidenced by the New Deal, Fair Deal, Great Society, and many others. They contrast greatly to the Republicans.

Sure, the Democratic Party, and the nation, have their imperfections, but that's okay, because it's natural, and we can do something about them. That sure beats the alternative.

So... what makes you a Democrat?

[asthmaticeog]

1. Because I don't hate poor people.

That's just for starters, but I'm at work, so I haven't the time.

[indigo32]

2. Because I believe

we are all in this together.

[NMDemDist2]

3. cuz I love people more than i love corporations

need i say more?

[Sandpiper]

4. Because Democrats want to make the American Dream accessible to all

The Republican philosophy, on the other hand, is "I've got mine and you can whistle for yours."

Also because I don't hate: blacks, latinos, women, homosexuals, etc.

[Kolesar]

5. probably because Reagan was such an asshole .... eom

[La Lioness Priyanka]

6. i am not racist, sexist or homophobic

and i cannot stand poverty especially in a rich country

[elfwitch]

7. I'm not exactly...

I am just vehemently anti-Republican. Since there are only two parties that do business at the national level I go with the one that is not Republican. If we had more choices I might throw my support elsewhere. But as it stands I am with whoever is against them.

I really don't like the whole Party system to begin with. People should just be people and run as such. I'd much rather someone say, "I am Bob Smith and I stand for X." Run as a human being. That would be different.

I feel that the whole "Party" system is what slows things down. It automatically divides people. If everyone would just be a human being and do what is best while representing other human beings, I feel we would all be better off. Instead you have bickering and fighting and loyalties based on nothing more than a label.

[quinnox]

8. Runs in the family

My grandfather is an ultra-liberal Dem, and also all of his siblings were too except for one.

Basically, everyone in my (immediate) family is a Democrat. Even people who are married into the family.

I do have some cousins in Texas who are Republicans though.

[Shopaholic]

42. You were raised right! n/t

[ewagner]

9. You cannot be

a local elected official for any length of time and not be a Democrat

When the health, safety and welfare of a city is your responsibility, you must consider the interests of all the citizens, rich, poor, young and old in every decision and initiative you make.

If you can look upon the poor and disadvantaged of your community and not be moved you are unworthy of the office.

If you cannot dream great dreams you have no right to hold the office.

If you cannot hate injustice you are unworthy of the office.

I admit it freely, I was leaning conservative before I became a Mayor. I still believed in fiscal responsibility because property taxes hurt the poor more than the rich but I was as socially liberal as they come.

[IrateCitizen]

10. Because there isn't a viable socialist party...

... so it's the "lesser of two evils" for me.

[Tyler Durden]

24. You said it, Comrade.

Maybe one day we'll ALL be socialists.

Yeah. Right.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

28. You're probably right.

People are beginning to wake up to the fact that capitalism doesn't work.

[IrateCitizen]

44. Personally, I would rue the day we are all socialists...

I'm much more of a proponent of taking the best attributes from multiple theories, and plugging them together, switching parts until we find the end result that works best.

Seeing as how capitalism is deified in our society, and anything having anything to do with socialism is equally vilified, it then only follows that I should fall on the side of the democratic socialists if I want to see such a society come to fruition.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

27. Me too.

Too bad that sometimes the line between the "two evils" gets mighty thin.

[dr.strangelove]

11. I'm not rich enough to be a republican

While that is a joke, it does speak to what first drew me to the party. I grew up in a somewhat republican house, though my parents did both vote for Gore.
It was Clinton's activities to protect the rights of the workers, unions and middle class americans like myself that moved me to the left. Some of the social issues call out to me, such as freedom of choice, equal protection, and the supression of discrimination, however, I am first and foremost a Democrat based upon a sound economic policy where human beings' interests come before corporations.

[Bandit]

12. I am not a Democrat ~ I'm an Independent who is very Liberal

At this particular time and place I believe it in mine and America's best interest to vote Democratic. I will reserve judgment for future decisions based on what gets accomplished in the next few years. I am not happy with the Democratic Party to date. They (our Congressional Representatives) have pretty much acquiesced on every single thing the GOP has put forth. So much for an opposition Party. If this sort of behavior continues I will be voting third party from now on. They can not continue to take my vote for granted.

[JHBowden]

13. I'm on the opposite side of the culture war.

I support science, don't believe in changing the constitution to deny people rights, don't believe in forcing women to have babies, support moderate drug legalization, enjoy violent movies and video games, and have been an atheist for my entire adult life -- in general, I don't believe in exchanging America's liberal tradition for an Iran-style theocracy.

Though I don't support the Iraq debacle, I am strong on defense, and am moderately libertarian on many spending items, which means the Republicans hypothetically *could* get my vote if they chilled on their Taliban stuff. But I don't see that happening anytime soon.

[proud patriot]

14. Howard Dean made me a Democrat

I was green before Dean

[Eloriel]

30. Howard Dean changed my politics too

I used to call myself a liberal -- now I'm a Dean Democrat and always will be. I didn't change my values, I evolved. What I discovered is that Dean's perspective is from a slightly elevated plane (despite his critics' assertions that he's conservative, etc.), one which renders the old "liberal vs. conservative" dichotomy irrelevent.

[tandot]

15. Because I love freedom

We have to keep a fair balance between rights of workers and the rights of corporations. I want the resources and the land we live on preserved for future generations. I want ALL people to be free to practice THEIR religion, as long as their practice doesn't infringe upon the rights of non-believers.

I want peace and prosperity.

I don't want Dictatorship, Theocracy, Fascism, or Communism.

[datasuspect]

16. I was born

in chicago in 1970 in working class neighborhood.

EVERYBODY supported old man Daley. when he died, i remember the grown ups around the house being very sad.

people talk a lot of shit about old man Daley vis-a-vis '68, but he really did make it a "city that works." he did a lot for the working man back then. just vote early and vote often and vote a straight democratic ticket.

and everybody DID work. on our block, all the cars would be gone during the daytime and come back at night. it was a different place, not the suburban-converted yuppiehole it has become.

i remember when reagan got shot hearing my father say they should have given hinckley a medal.

my british grandmother absolutely HATED and despised who she called "reegan" (she always called o'hare airport "o'hara") and winced whenever she talked about him saying "bollocks" and calling him a "poxy old cunt" whenever he came on t.v.

my father has been a truck driver all his life and his job (whenever he had one in the 1980s) and the whole trucking industry was seriously hurt by reagan's union-busting activities.

i just always sorta knew i was democrat.

[mwar]

46. Similar story for me...

But born a few years earlier, '54!

I grew up in working class poor neighborhoods on the south side. I don't think I ever met a Republican until I moved out of town at 33.

[Burma Jones]

17. I'm a White-Collar Guy with Blue-Collar Values

Which means:

I am the first College Graduate (on my Mom's side) and the third on my Dad's. Both sets of grandparents grew up in extreme rural poverty and traveled to Gary, Indiana and became steelworkers. My Dad is a Doctor, his Dad stopped going to school in 8th grade and started working. This was because of the GI Bill, a Democratic Party thing. The Democratic Party did so much more to create the professional, Middle Class than did the Republicans.

My family did not weasel out of REAL military service.

I'm educated, doctorate, so I have an open mind and the ability to empathize. This is the White Collar part. The lack of empathy in the present Republican party will force it to change very soon.

I work for the Marine Corps and am proud of it. I believe that the military deserves so much respect that we don't use it rashly or foolishly. This is a Blue Collar Value and a foreign concept to the present administration.

I am not cynical or selfish enough to be a Republican. I live in a very Democratic state and county. My taxes are NOT outrageous, in fact, Maryland is about in the center of the pack. Democrats think that government is supposed to supply certain services rather than ensure that campaign contributors get rich by providing the same services. Democrats are FAR better at running things.

Republicans lie about big things. Democrats lie about little things.

Democrats are sometimes naive. Republicans are always vicious.

Democrats attract better looking women too.



Edited for typos

[edbermac]

18. Why am I a Democrat?

Simple...God gave me a brain

[Fenris]

19. Because I don't view the world as being black and white.

It's all gray.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. I'm a Democrat but not a "Yella' Dog".

Being a Socialist first, when the Democrat candidate strays too far to the right, I'll vote 3rd Party (Green), or sit on my hands and wait for a liberal to come along. This has happened twice in my almost 40 years of voting. I voted "Peace and Freedom" in '68 and sat it out when my Democrat Rep sold her soul to the NRA. I've held my nose and voted Dem more times than I care to recall.

This will probably be the third time I split my vote. Green for Prez, Democrat for my anti-war senator and rep.

Nobody owns my vote but me.

[in_cog_ni_to]

21. Because I care about the less fortunate

in our country. I care about the homeless and unemployed. Not everyone in this world was born with a silver spoon in their mouth. I care about women having the right to choose whether or not they want to have a baby. Because I care about our environment. I like clean water and air. I love animals and want them to have a place to live. Because I care about whether or not our elderly have enough money to eat AND pay for needed medications. Because I want all citizens to be equal whether they are gay/lesbian/hetero, black/white/Hispanic/Asian/American Indian/..ect..., Christian/Jewish/Muslim/Baptist/Methodist/Hindu...ect..EQUALITY FOR ALL. Because I want my child to grow up to care about other people...not just "Christian/republican ones."

[SlingBlade]

22. Because I’m not a Sorry Son Of A Bitch Who

Blame’s all the Worlds ill’s on minorities and the Poor.
Because I don't put profit before human life and feel this planet is being raped and pillaged by those who not only cant see into the next decade, They can barely see beyond their next quarterly statement.

I’m a Democrat because I still believe that we as a Nation can do good in the World through organizations like the Peace Corps and a driving force within the United Nations.
I’m a Democrat because I’ve seen enough greed and contempt on the part of the Right to wonder out loud how a Nation with as big a heart as ours does would stomach such a profane and ugly system so full of hate and self centeredness that it sometimes makes my blood run cold.

I’m part of a Party that even though it has its Fuck Up’s it has never entirely forgotten its roots or it’s soul as the Party of Abraham Lincoln has.
This part in me grieves for the millions of families who struggle on without employment without adequate health care and do their utmost to help others in the very predicament that they themselves are in.

They are the ones who send their Sons and Daughters off to die in the greatest numbers, They are the one’s who fight ferociously against any attempt to destroy the principles of our founding fathers and the precepts of this Nation.

These are the one’s , And I’m damn proud to stand beside each and every one of them.
They are my brothers and my sisters, They are MY true Countrymen.
That’s why I am a Democrat.:dem:

[Demeter]

23. Blame It On Reagan, Gingrich, and the Wall Street Journal

I decided that anyone who wasn't them was okay by me!

[Eloriel]

25. Because it's who I am -- my values

I believe in expanded opportunity for all, in compassion and understanding, forgiveness and 2nd chances, those kinds of things.

I believe in education for all, healthcare for all, housing and food for all, justice for all, and I believe that all civilizied societies from time in memoriam have taken care of their weaker members, AND in a complex and diverse society like ours (as opposed to tribal societies, for example), the surest and ultimtely most efficient way to do that is through government (as opposed to private charities exclusively or even mostly). I believe those who've had the privilege of living in this great nation (or once great nation) and who have benefitted the most -- even if also largely thru their own talent and hard work -- owe something back, and must participate in ensuring that our weaker members do not suffer. I believe the taxes we pay are a small price for what we enjoy, and for keeping the nation and the whole society going. I DO want the government to avoid waste, duplication of effort, etc., but I have never begrudged paying taxes. It's not that I want BIG government, or even that I believe that government can solve all our individual problems. But it has its role to play in ensuring that the most vulnerable among us do not fall completely through the cracks.

I am heartsick at what I've learned about the United States over the last number of years, and one of my fondest wishes (once Bush is deposed) is that our foreign policy become what most Americans think it is.

We have an awesome and very difficult job ahead of us. This fight must NOT be just about unseating George Bush. The danger goes much, much deper than that. If we are to survive as a nation -- esp. as a free nation -- we MUST wrest control of our government away from corporations and various nefarious individuals and groups who pull the strings behind the scenes. The Bush Crime Family must be politically destroyed once and for all, the CIA must be brought under control at last, the neocons must be thoroughly discredicated and subsequently removed from all public institutions and think tanks, and corporations must be made to serve the public welfare (workers, environment, consumers, etc.) in equal measure as their stockholders. Obviously, corporate money also has to be removed from the political process at all levels, including finding some way to neuter lobbyists (I have NO idea what the solution could be on that one). These just off the top of my head. Oh, and Congress (and State legislatures) MUST become accountable to The People again as well. I'm sick and tired of (a) not being listened to and (b) not having access to start with. We're also going to have to get the media to do its job, AND we're going to have to STOP ALLOWING THEM TO GET AWAY WITH LYING (them = everyone, from the media to Congress to the Chief Executive, to people like John Ashcroft and Donald Rumsfeld, etc., etc., etc. -- every single one of them).

All this is going to necessitate the direct and very energetic involvement of millions of people. It's also going to necessitate that when things get a little "better" (say, under a Kerry administration), we don't lapse back into complacency and ennui. That will only mean (if it even happens) that our most urgen threat has been delayed -- it will NOT mean that we are safely out of danger. The Bush Crime Familiy just bided its time between Bush1 and Bush2 during the Clinton Administration, no doubt also getting stronger in many ways and many places. THIS HAS TO STOP. IF we are able to unseat Bush2, we do NOT have the luxury of ever allowing these people in office again. We must defeat the Octapus, once and for all.

[rniel]

26. Because I'm a wage earner

And people working for a wage are not people just resources for republicans to use and abuse so they can buy extra summer houses and yachts. Of the 2 parties the democratic party is the one standing up for regular people. That's as plain as day to me and I can't believe people in my position are consistently voting republican against their best interests.

[in_cog_ni_to]

31. Welcome to DU, rniel!

:hi:

I agree with you about the working poor. I find it hard to believe that ANY poor person would vote repub. They are cutting off their nose to spite their face. IMCPO.

Anyway, Welcome to DU! :hi:

[LiberalForEver]

29. Because I believe in PEOPLE first, not Big Business

[skippysmom]

32. Many reasons

I'm a feminist.
I work in the arts.
I come from a wage earning family.
I believe in education.
I believe religion is a personal matter.
I believe in freedom of speech.
I believe we've given corporations too many rights.
I believe in helping the poor, not just giving them empty platitudes about work and self-esteem.
I believe health care is a right.
I believe that taxes are the price we pay for admission to a civil society.

And I believe that * is the worst president ever.

[MISSDem]

33. Because I learned it at my Daddy's knee.

I remember listening with my Daddy to the returns between Stevenson/Eisenhower on the radio. My Daddy was a conservative Mississippian who loved my Mother, the Methodist church, the environment and the Democratic party - it almost killed him but he voted for McGovern in 1972. So I came by it naturally and then I discovered for myself that the Republicans cannot even pronounce environment much less spell it. I also believe in individual liberty.

[mvd]

34. I generally have more liberal views than the Party, but..

I am a Democrat because the party is by far closer to my views. I'm a Democrat because I don't think people should have values of others and religion shoved in their faces. I'm a Democrat because I think in a country as big as ours, we should have minimum standards for the quality of life each person has. I'm a Democrat because of how corporations can easily run amok and hurt everything from the enviornment to free speech to people's lives. I'm a Democrat because the whole Republican attitude is selfish and not progressive - and just plain divisive. It also helps that both my parents and maternal grandparents (just my grandfather is now living) are/were strong Democrats.

[mvd]

40. Adding something

The first sentence should have also said that the Democratic Party is the only viable option in keeping the Republicans out.

[genius]

35. I'm a Democratic because I want to like myself.

There is nothing the least bit okay about belonging to the other side, which supports hurting good people and children under the false pretext that harming others will make people rich.

[mvd]

38. Good point

:thumbsup:

For some, ignorance can be bliss. But I feel like I'm contributing something by being watchful and informed, and that does help be feel good about myself.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

36. I'm a Democrat because of...

> Reason
> The ability to understand complex arguments
> Inherent lack of psychological illness
> Lack of greed
> Lack of energy when it comes to hating people
> Lack of fear

:bounce:

[Hunter_1253]

37. I'm a democrat...

because I don't make enough money to be a Republican.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

39. would you switch parties if you became rich.

i am rich in another country. i still am a socialist in that country.

[napi21]

41. I started out with no opinion of either Party, But over the years

when I listened to all the Candidates, I always liked the Democrat the best.

I'm retired now, and have paid a lot more attention to politics that I ever have. The First President that I didn't like was GH Bush. The unending defamation, and personal assination of President Clinton turned me into a real hater of almost All Repugs! Too bad, it's gotten to the point where I can't even stand to listen toany of their speeches.

I guess the bottom line is, I'm a Democrat because the Republicans made me one.

[ClassWarrior]

43. My folks were.

And they were the most righteous people I've ever known.

[info being]

45. Lesser of two evils

I'm not so much a Democrat as a Progressive who votes responsibly (most of the time).

[obnoxiousdrunk]

47. Propably because

grew up reading Das kapital

[Commendatori]

Because I'm a pro-choice agnostic, for starters, and

because I don't want my DNA taken just for being arrested under "mistaken indentity." I also think marriage should be permitted between any two idiots who think it's a good idea to make breaking up prohibitively expensive.

[devinsgram]

48. Because

I care what happens to other human beings. Call me stupid, but someday hope for us all to live in peace and get along. With a republican adminstration, that will never happen.

[progressivebydesign]

49. Because I care about other human beings.

And I care about the planet we live on. :grouphug:

[Generator]

50. Because D comes before R, silly.