Dean and the need to take on Sacred Cows.

[Armstead]

If Dean becomes DNC chair, one of the most positive results could an end to the long fear by Democrats of taking on sacred cows.

One of the biggest sacred cows the Democrats have avoided for too many years is the growth of unbridled corporate power. Many, many more specific issues flow from that. One reason the Democrats have become so impotent is because they always avoid that central problem.

Mass media is the most egregious example. By acquiescing to the corporate takeover of the media, the Denmocrats gave up the ability to actually challenge the media monopolies.

But it also extends to many other subjects. Trace most economic and many social issues to their source, and it is the polarization of the economy and the rise of an oligarchy run by corporate power.

Howard Dean won't be a Wellstone. But he has already proven that he is at least willing to take on the sacred cows that need to be taken on. That's what's necessary if the rest of the Democratic agenda is ever to get jump started again.

[aquart]

1. I HOPE he won't be a Wellstone.

But let's keep the man out of small private planes anyway. Okay?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. Agreed. eom

[Karmadillo]

3. I confess I don't share your faith in Dean's courage on this issue, but

I hope I'm wrong. Here's a brief review of some of his statements. I don't see a Thom Hartmann lurking in there, but he must know the Democrats will always be the corporations'second choice. Better to fight for what we believe in rather than suck up just to lose.

http://www.issues2000.org/2004/Howard_Dean_Corporations.htm

AdWatch: "Hold corporations accountable"-but gave incentives
AD VIDEO: Dean, dressed business-like, speaks slowly & softly, rather than with passionate populism.
AD AUDIO: Energy companies gouging consumers. Accounting firms cooking the books. They get away with it because they have too much power in Washington. Hard work and the free market made America great. But that doesn't excuse business from its responsibility. It's time to hold corporations accountable. To protect workers' pensions and investors who depend on honest accounting. And it's time Washington worked for people.

ANALYSIS: Dean has proposed stricter disclosure requirements for corporations and closing tax loopholes. The use the headline "Enron Auditor Admits Crime" reflects Dean's constant attacks on Enron as a symbol of corporate greed. But opponents have hammered him for offering tax incentives to lure corporate business to Vermont while he was governor-a program that benefited Enron, although Dean has said it was not tailored to the now-bankrupt energy company.

Source: Ad-Watch of N.H. market, Washington Post, p. A04 Jan 12, 2004

more...

[sadiesworld]

4. Yes...

and I hope his supporters hold him accountable with a fraction of the passion they have used in promoting him.

[last1standing]

5. And I hope his detractors support him with a fraction of the energy

they have used in tearing him down.

Dean will be a good DNC chair, not the coming Messiah. Wellstone had his flaws as did John Kennedy, John Kerry, Bill Clinton and Howard Dean. These are all people who have tried to do their best for this country and we should support them all. Can't we just try for once to not self destruct?

[sadiesworld]

6. I'm not a Dean detractor...

use the search function.

[last1standing]

7. That's cool. I wasn't trying to attack you.

I was just using your post as a vehicle to ask for some sanity. It's good to fight for our choice in DNC chair just like any position, but it's detrimental to our party and to our country if we can't stand together in our common cause.

I understand it if someone doesn't like the idea of Dean becoming DNC chair or even dogcatcher. I don't understand the ridicule, lies and slander of some posters here. I hope after this post is filled we can have a little more repub bashing and less Dem bashing.

[Cha]

31. Amen, Brother!

Tell it!

[FreedomAngel82]

16. I agree sadiesworld

I do like Dean and his fire and passion to fight for what's right and the laws, so I hope he can help the dems in D.C. fight harder and more. Ever since the Ohio electoral college debates I've been proud of the dems. I just hope they keep it up and once Dean is in we can do more. The only thing I wish for (that probably won't happen) is BushCo could be arrested for their war crimes. *sigh* But I know that's only a dream.... Does anybody know how Kerry is doing with his Rumsfeld petition? I haven't heard much about it lately. I know he has to becareful with his battles of course, but I was just wondering.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[last1standing]

9. How about telling us something about the Democratic party

that you DO agree with? Based on your three examples I'd say that you are a social conservative. Is there anything about progressive values that you agree with?

[dolstein]

12. You obviously don't know me very well

I happen to support legalized abortion, strict gun control and equal rights for gay people (including gay marriage). But, unlike most DU'ers, I actually have the presence of mind to realize that I'm well to the left of the typical American voter on cultural issues. I also think that none of these issues should be anywhere near the top of the party's agenda. It's a question of priorities. Should the Democratic Party hold itself out as the tireless defender of legalized abortion, or should it seek to brand itself as the tireless defender of the middle class? Personally, I care a lot less about blocking bans on "partial birth" abortion than I do about raising the minimum wage or restoring progressivity to our tax system.

[last1standing]

15. So you're more about the money than about the rights of others?

No, I don't know you very well, but you've just told me a lot about what you stand for. I care more about other people having the same rights as I have than I care about lining my pocket. If you want that extra tax break, that's fine, but do not in any way EVER try to demean my desire to see us all be equal in the eyes of the law. I'm just not so greedy as to think that my wallet is more important than someone else's ability to marry or stop an unwanted pregnancy due to rape.

I guess we have our differing priorities. I'm happy mine are where they are and I just can't find it in myself to respect yours. Sorry.

[robbedvoter]

19. yeah, those damn pro-choicers got to go! All of them!

[Debi]

10. What Dean wil do

is give a voice to all the Democratic State Parties. He'll run races in all the states and the DNC will no longer run the presidential camgaign in 15-17 states.

Now, expect more from our Congress and Senators before you pin the entire future on Howard Dean. He'll only be DNC Chair - not ruler of the world.

[Armstead]

11. I don't pin the entire future on anyone but myself

Just my own future, that is. I don't want to sound like an egomaniac or anything.

But I also don't pin everything political on anyone like Dean either. If he does get the job, he'll be speaking for the whole spectrum of the party.

But as one of the people who sets the tone, Dean can play an important part in putting some backbone back into the Democratic message. That's at least a good start.

[Debi]

24. I think we are saying the same thing just in different ways

n/t

[MaineDem]

20. DNC Chair does not make policy

In fact, Dean reiterated that fact to some state delegations in NY last week.

I agree with you. But actually, all the candidates agreed about the 50-state (and territories) strategy. I'm hoping Dean will follow through on those promises.

[Larkspur]

21. True, DNC Chair doesn't make policy but Dean will be championing

core Dem values and some Dem leaders on the Hill forget what those core values are.

[Debi]

26. Yes and they have DLC and Blue Dog Dem

written behind their names.

[Debi]

25. He's already shown his committment to that with the Dean Dozen

candidates. I don't see him changing now.

[mattclearing]

13. Another sacred cow: Wasteful Military Spending = Supporting the Troops

Someone needs to start beating the Crusader and NMD like a drum.

This is shit that will never work and only exists to loot the Treasury.

[jpgray]

14. Based on what he did in Vermont, corporations don't have much to fear

I think one area where he could / would threaten their power structure is in campaign fundraising.

[CWebster]

17. Follow the money

Let's see about that other little unmentionable taboo--"even-handedness" on Israel". Ha!

[welshTerrier2]

18. need to clearly link oligarchy to government policy

under the Sherman and Clayton anti-trust legislation, much was made of businesses that became "too dominant" in their markets ... but the focus was always on fair competition rather than the abuses that very large, very powerful corporations were able to impose on our democratic institutions ...

to be sure, concentration of power in the media has had a devastating effect on insuring we have an informed electorate, the lifeblood of democracy ... the rise of oligarchy is of great concern in many other industries as well ...

but the greatest concern revolves around the influence the very wealthy and powerful can bring to bear on federal policy ... while it's especially true with bush, the "big boys" have always been able to "grease a few palms" ... our entire foreign policy, i'd argue it really is 100%, is based on protecting overseas markets for mega-multi-national corporations ...

massive lobbying budgets, a revolving door (the "Cheney" revolving door) between business and government and poorly implemented campaign finance laws have virtually eradicated the line between industry and government ... we really do have the "best government money can buy" ...

so, it's important to attack the Sacred Cow but the cow needs to be clearly identified ... this time, it's not just "excessive market power" ... this time, it's "excessive influence in our government" ...

[Armstead]

22. I agree

That's why I said many issues flow from that.

But I do believe the threat to competition is a part of that. If the Democrats sit back and continue to allow corporate giants to merge, it is bad on all levels for everyone.

[welshTerrier2]

23. we're in full agreement ...

i just wanted to add a bit more highlighting to the linkage between government and industry ...

your point that not addressing mergers and not controlling corporate growth is an enabler of that linkage is well-taken ...

[The Unknown Derelict]

27. If Howard Dean wins the DNC seat.....

I will CHANGE my party affiliation to Democrat from Independant. It would demonstrate to me that the Democrats would want to change from being one of the "corporate whores" that the 2 major parties have come to represent.

How's that for post #1 from a lurker? ;)

[HereSince1628]

28. Well, that's perfectly clear

and I'll defend your right to make that choice.

Even though I wouldn't make the same one.

Welcome to posting.

[The Unknown Derelict]

29. Thx!

Thank you HereSince1628.

It's refreshing to exercise my opinion instead of just reading them! :)

[Wind Dancer]

30. Welcome to DU, The Unknown Derelict.

:hi: