What does the DLC offer America?

[yankeedem]

I am seeing all these pro and anti-DLC posts the last few days. I respect that Clinton was DLC, but my question is:

As a progressive American, what does the DLC offer me?

What does the DLC offer Americans?

I am interested in your responses. I am anti-DLC generally, I don't think them as "moderate", I see them as Republicans. Please tell me where you see DLC views and progressive views intersecting.

[WI_DEM]

1. my point of view is that the DLC offers America Bush lite

and that isn't good enough for me.

[montanacowboy]

2. Nada

n/t

[Sterling]

3. Doom

It's all they got.

[eleny]

4. Lost elections

[Deja Q]

5. More repuke victories for dividing us

They were quite clear in saying which types they don't want representing them.

Fair enough. I'll call their bluff and refuse to vote for ANY DLC'er.

[brainshrub]

6. Tax cuts for the rich, outsourcing, pro-corporate regulations

and a bigger military.

DLCers also have the amazing ability to capitulate to Republicans at the drop of a hat.

I'd rather vote for a "real" Republican than a DLCer. At least real Republicans are upfront with their intentions.

[kenny blankenship]

7. Nothing the Republicans aren't already selling

[LoZoccolo]

8. Two pictures are worth two thousand words.

[yankeedem]

9. And the loss of the House, Senate

and the Presidency was the Mondale wings fault, right?

[LoZoccolo]

10. That's been debunked so many times.

Maybe wyldwolf will rescue me from this one; he's got the goods and I've seen him post it many times.

You honestly think we lost all those southern house seats because we weren't more liberal? I mean, I already know it's not true, but like, you'd have to believe that to believe the DLC was responsible.

[yankeedem]

12. The DLC is pro-NAFTA, pro-outsourcing

and anti-worker. DLC Democrats don't offer anything in the working class south.

So the Republicans work on social and religious issues because we're not talking about economic and class issues anymore.

So in the South the DLC offers us a choice between a pro-choice Republican and a pro-life Republican. Gag.

[LoZoccolo]

17. Economic issues like Clinton's health bill?

That's not offering anything to the working-class south?

Also, Kerry was anti-outsourcing. Did that help? Was that even a big issue?

[yankeedem]

21. You mean way back in 1993?

That health plan? That gave the HMO's control over our healthcare? Better some universal health care than none, though.

Kerry had a good position on outsourcing. Too bad he wasn't talking about it. Too bad the DLC candidates down South weren't talking about it either.

[LoZoccolo]

29. We were talking about the loss of the House in 1994, so yeah, that one.

It was just prior to that.

[CTLawGuy]

31. we lost them because the repugs pandered to their

social conservatism and racism.

[LoZoccolo]

30. Here, I found it.

I didn't know he posts a link in his signature now.

http://www.liberalresurgent.com/dlcmyth1.html

[ulysses]

23. yup. if only mondale had had clinton's charisma. n/t

[stray cat]

11. Are real dems anti-defense, anti-business and protectionists?

If so I don't think we can win in this climate. Given the way elections are currently funded if business is scared to death of a dem in office, are we really going to be able to compete financially. I want a sound economy in addition to decent treatment of workers.

[yankeedem]

14. Then again,

In the northern states, where the business and worker climate is the best, places like Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, etc, it is "liberal" Democrats across the board. I don't see the stock exchange picking up to move to Alabama because of NYC's liberalism, do you?

[quiet.american]

13. Here's another question I'd like an answer to

What has the DLC done for us lately?

[Armstead]

19. Helped us lose elections

[quiet.american]

25. That's about it. n/t

[Individualist]

15. Government of, by and for corporations

[punpirate]

16. Money corrupts...

... and the DLC and its members are very greedy for campaign cash from big business. In that sense, they are actively seeking their own corruption:

http://www.prospect.org/print/V12/7/dreyfuss-r.html

Among the worst in far right wing are the infamous Koch brothers, of Koch Industries. They are on the DLC executive council (which means they gave a significant--over $25,000--donation to the DLC) and have two members on the DLC board of trustees. People such as that do not give to groups which do not support their interests.

What the DLC will do is hasten the control of mulitnationals over the processes of government. That, in itself, is fundamentally undemocratic.

The DLC will also hasten the process of completely blurring the lines distinguishing Democrats and Republicans. Its goal is to co-opt the Democratic Party on behalf of huge business interests (if that is not its goal, then why has it spent so much time attacking more populist Democrats, including John Dean and MoveOn?). While it intentionally ignores social policy issues such as abortion, saying it leaves decisions such as those to its members, in virtually all other respects, its agenda is, if not identical to Republican policy, then very, very complementary to it.

There are arguments between those that say the DLC has or has not helped Democrats win elections. I say it makes no difference whatsoever if a Republican or Democrat wins if both are in the pocket of big business. Both will end up hurting ordinary Americans and the future of the country.

The DLC is about one thing--making the Democratic Party into an analogue of the Republicans in those respects important to the wealthy and powerful in this country. Those who support its efforts, wittingly or unwittingly, are buying into their own defeat as citizens, because the DLC's aim is oligarchy, not democracy.

Cheers.


edit for syntax.

[Armstead]

18. They're not as mean as Republicans.....Um, not much else

[scarletwoman]

20. Continued Republican control of all branches of government. (n/t)

[Zorra]

22. Permanent corporate governance of the US. n/t

[Disturbed]

24. What have they done for the Working Class?

Nothing.

These folk are Corporatists.

[Zorra]

26. Great photo, no caption necessary. That picture says it all. n/t

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

27. The offer Republican candidates with a (D) after their names.

Plus a large dose of Extra-Strengh hypocrisy.

[Dave Reynolds]

28. Corporate welfare,

fucked-over workers (NAFTA).

Seems a shame that crazy little Ross Perot was right about the big sucking sound.