Has the Democratic Party been Castrated by Corporatism?

[iconoclastNYC]

Poll question: Has the Democratic Party been Castrated by Corporatism?

Polls say that a substantial majority of Americans support policy goals such as Universal Health care, increasing the minimum wage, stricter enforcement of environmental laws, and taking a second look at trade agreements such as NAFTA or GATT.

However the Democratic party seems to shy away from discussing these issues.

These issues divide the Republican base and would be powerful political weapons if only our leadership exploit them.

My question: Has the Democratic party been castrated by corporatism?

[porphyrian]

1. Half of the party is scared of being liberal.

What a load of shit.

[BillZBubb]

2. Castrated is exactly the right word for it.

We now have two major pro-business parties. And I don't mean pro-business in a positive economic sense--I mean anti-worker.

[Blue_Tires]

3. i'd say that

every facet of living in America (food, water, polluted air, economy, healthcare, law, etc) has been chopped off at the knees by corporatism and the worship of the free market

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. A constitutional amendment I would desperately like to see

"The rights and protections of the United States Constitution shall not be construed as applying to any corporate entity or agency other than an individual person."

With that, it would be simple to ban corporations from making political contributions or otherwise engaging in politicking.

[lumberjack_jeff]

5. Agreed

In my more cynical days I see democrats making a head-fake toward working-class people in exactly the same way that I see republicans making (slightly more obvious) head fakes toward fundies, while both quietly serve the corporate masters.

[iconoclastNYC]

6. Spot on.

I agree. If I didn't think the people could take back the party I'd switch to the Green Party.

We must get middle class people involved in our party and push out the corporate-sycophant millionaires that occupy nearly all the leadership positions.

[sam sarrha]

7. we need a Party Platform of NO Corporate Money.. Period if elected

we need to end the madness.. and return the government to the people..

campaign contributions by corporations are Bribes.

it isn't free speech because a corporation is not a sentient being.. the CEO makes the decision to give the stock holders money after he has already maxed his contributions, the board falls in line to get their raises and perks.. bribery and theft all the way thru

[iconoclastNYC]

10. I agree. We need public finacing of elections too.

That would really help clean up D.C. normal people who dont have tons of millionaire friends could run for public office.

[Mrspeeker]

8. huge corporations have Castrated the whole government!

using the 14 amendment as leverage to make nothing into something that has the same rights as a person. These now so called people don't have any conscience, fairness or accountability..they just have the bottom line!

When oh when will we finally realize that the 14 amendment which was suppose to grant freedom to the slaves has been used to enslave the whole country!

I stand firm in my belief that the Constitution is a really outdated federalist paper that is in need of a rewrite. Even the bill of rights is showing its true colors as the Bush administration dismantles it. What the TV says and what the reality is are two very different things. We must look past the brian washing to see the truth here.

A country which created a more perfect union..but for who?
Rich White Male Land Owners is the answer!
nothings really changed, and if it has its only been to fool you!

[iconoclastNYC]

9. With Republicans in power they Own the government

With Corporate Democrats in power they have little to fear. Corproate Democrats won't even undo what the Republicans have given Corporations let alone reign them in.

[Jack Rabbit]

11. I voted number 2

Although it won't be much longer before number 1 would get my nod.

[Ksec]

12. Yes. Most Dems in Congress are scared of losing their easy money

so they step lightly around issues with corporations.

[iconoclastNYC]

13. Yup.

We need to push the Democrats to get Publicly financed elections.