You may not like the choices the Democratic party presents;

[question everything]

you may not like any of the candidates, you loath the Democrats in Congress, claiming that they are beholden to Corporate America like their rivals.

You see the most important issue, perhaps the only issue - our involvement in Iraq and you have lost patience with the Democrats to do something.

So you are not going to vote for a Democratic candidate next year.

But before you touch that screen, or darken the circle consider the following:

The number of people in poverty, the number of people who are homeless is an all time high and is only going to increase at the rate we are going.

There are close to 50 million people with no health insurance.

There are 59 million workers with no paid sick days.

And more, go to the Poverty Forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=230

Do you really think that a Republican Congress and Administration would care about these issues? Do you really think that a conservative dominated Supreme Court will give a hoot about the poor and the sick and the hungry?

The Democrats will, if only to differentiate them from the Republicans.

I suspect that if you now consider not to vote for a Democratic candidate, that you are well fed and clothed and shelter, perhaps even holding a secure job with "benefits."

And, just like the freepers, once you lose one of these "luxuries" you will come begging the Democrats to help you, because they are the only one who have the potential, at least, to help you.

If you care about our society, about poverty in America, about so many of your fellow Americans who live in a different place that you conveniently choose to ignore, than go ahead, vote Green, or Yellow, or whatever.

Don't worry. We will accept you when you are down on your luck and come crawling back. Why? Because we know that our strength is in our uniting around the basic principles of our party - that existed long before Vietnam and Iraq and will exist after Iraq: The responsibility of a government to better the life of its citizens regardless of how they vote.

What bothers me is not that there are posts on DU proclaiming the poster's intent to abandon the Democratic candidates, but that such posts get so many recommendations.

How on earth do these DUers think that they can help their fellow citizens if they do not support the Democratic party? Or is this not the most important issue for them?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

1. Simple Logical Reasoning Just Simply Won't Reach Some. But I Applaud Your Effort And Agree With

your premise.

[U4ikLefty]

11. Just look at the failed attempts to stop Dems from shopping at WalMart.

Those losers just keep on driving their SUV's to suck on the Walton's teat. ;)

[question everything]

18. I don't know. I and you do not shop at Wal Mart

because we have alternatives, and we can afford to pay a few dollars more for an item. But many here really live on the verge of emptiness. Many dread the end of their unemployment checks, or have to choose between a generic drug at Wal-Mart and fresh fruits for their kids.

I do not pretend to set myself in anyone's sandals. Each has to deal with own personal financial situation.

[whathappened]

2. i have voted dem

every since i was able to vote , so i will vote fro who ever is on the dem ticket , but i don't have to like it

[question everything]

4. Same here. I did not even vote for Clinton in my 1992 primaries

and I wish that he left the Presidency on a much higher note but was glad that he was our President for 8 years.

[mcscajun]

3. Well said! Recommending.

:kick:

[brentspeak]

5. There you go again. Using logic and reason.

:applause:

[Mrspeeker]

6. well truthfully

Alot of the Democrats are Freaking Republicans at best, its all about GREED for the RULING CLASS! we come here because we believe in democracy...its not our fault that both party's are both the same except for a couple stand outs.

If this was the Democraticparty.com -> I wouldn't be hear or heard for that matter.

A two party system with a bunch of reach arounds is not really a functioning democracy.

If you all really want to support one of the two party's, but not democracy..then post on the DNC or GOP forums you will be welcomed with open arms, if you donate!

[Porcupine]

7. I don't like the choices the Democratic MONEY gives me.

The Democratic Party, the people, they are trying like hell to give me good choices. The Democratic Money is going to give me three candidates none of them with credintials on the environment or a sound commitment to peace in the entire middle east. Peace everywhere; not just Iraq.

[peacebird]

8. what bothers me is people trying to stifle debate about Dem politicians

If I wanted to be a partyline voter it would be so easy - I would not have to weigh each candidates positions on multiple issues in order to pick a candidate to support. The candidate who I feel best represents my beliefs, and is best able to help guide the country.

We are in the pre-primary period. People will make heated comments about candidates they love and about those they loathe. That's part of the political process. Many people are disgusted with the way the congressional Dems bent over for bush from 9/11 til this past November. A lot of folks are frustrated that the wheels in DC are turning so slowly and fear justice will never come. Or worse - that bush will attack Iran and congress will roll over and play dead once again.

Even after the primary - when we have the Democratic candidate picked, people will still either love or loathe, and some will feel the need to hold their nose while they vote "anybody but a Repuke".

Some folks now - myself included, have spoken of sitting this election out if HRC is the nominee. Speaking for myself - it is probably bombast and anger and frustration at the helplessness I feel watching my country devolve into a tinpot dictatorship complete with gulags, torture, and secrecy. Will I really sit home if HRC is the nominee? Maybe - depends how depressed I get over the next two years. JUST KIDDING - that is the frustration coming out.

I will vote. I always do. PLEASE - just let us vent sometimes without getting in our faces about how important it is to vote party line. Venting here has probably saved my sanity the last couple of years.

<rant off>

[question everything]

9. Thank you for the rant

I can appreciate it and, as you stated - this is pre-primary time so this is the time to really discuss the candidates. And not only the big ones - the presidential one - but also the house and senate candidates, as well as the races for state houses and senates.

Even though it does not seem as if we can pass anything in the Senate, the atmosphere in the House is already different, even if our own leaders all are millionaires.

Give the Clinton some credit that they did not have much money when they came to DC, left with huge debt but since then, with their books and speaking tours they have been laughing all the way to the bank.

And having us control more governorships and state houses can also send a message to the Republicans to work with us, even if they will win the White House again (shudder, but I think that if Guiliani is their candidate, they will win).

As for sitting at home if, say, Clinton is the candidates, many did so in 1968 and we got Nixon. So I hope that when the time comes, voters will remember this.

[Breeze54]

10. This attitude was rampant before the last election, too.

"What bothers me is not that there are posts on DU proclaiming the poster's intent
to abandon the Democratic candidates, but that such posts get so many recommendations."

I went to battle, literally, on another messageboard that the majority of members were saying
that exact same thing. The arguments went on for days and weeks and I agreed with some
of the arguments. I took a lot of punches too, for insisting that they stick with the Dems.
In the end? They all voted for the Dems and we had a celebration!

I toss it up to the young, inexperienced and naive'. They were hanging on every little thing
and not seeing the big picture, imho. They were condemning all the Dems and that just wasn't
deserved or earned by all of them! Not all the Dems were voting with the rethugs. I was
exhausted, literally, from all that and was ecstatic when we took back the House and Senate!

This too, shall pass, I think....fear not! ;)

[question everything]

19. Thank you. Yes, I know. Some of us have been there and have done

that.

I think that many are still in school, or living at home, have not yet experienced the devastation of losing a job, of an illness, of facing the cold world alone.

But I would like to at least nudge them, before they get captivated in their own rhetoric.

[Laurab]

12. KnR

Well said, and I couldn't agree more.

[GeorgeGist]

13. Promoting Democrats ...

as the lesser evil, screams Hypocrisy and Disappointment.

[Selatius]

14. It's probably the reason why a good portion of Americans don't vote

They don't like the choices offered by the two-party system. I wonder how US rates of voter participation compare to those in western Europe.

[question everything]

20. Pretty low

For one thing, in many countries election day is a holiday, or takes place on a Sunday. I think in some you have to vote, by law and we wouldn't want that :evilgrin:

This is what was so disappointing in 2004. We worked on college kids, we were counting on them to vote and the final tally showed that their percentage did not change. Some of who were in college in the 60s and 70s are, of course, disappointed.

One reason could be the changing faces of the economy. We used to rely on manufacturing jobs, where even high school dropout could find a job. Many worked for the same employer all their lives, counting on decent jobs, benefits and retirements.

Now the professors of sociology promote "entrepreneurship" which often means: looking for number one, etc.

Young kids today are programmed to plan their careers from very early age. They many have witnesses how their parents, who worked hard, "followed the rules," were dismissed when the corporations changed directions and they think: why bother?

So they choose to be self employed, or starting their own business and for these individuals, government programs are often a hindrance.

[madokie]

15. I grew up in a loving home but hearing from my dad he voted for the man

over and over, it was always a republican though, funny that. Poor man voting for a repuke. Well, when I got old enough to start paying attention the first thing I did was read the platform they each were running on, been a proud assed Dem ever since. Oh and I vote for the man too but its alway so far been the Democratic Candidate every time.

[rman]

16. Yeah, Dems can only do one thing at a time

Stop the war OR reduce poverty - not both.

[ecstatic]

17. Have any of them fought to get a nation wide paper trail yet

for the e-voting machines?

Or will we have to head to the polls, once again, not knowing if our votes will even count?

I agree with your post but my point is that I just want to see things get done for a change. I know what Democrats stand for, but now it's time for them to actually do something. Take Action. Get busy!

I will never vote repug but I can't waste my time if 1) there still isn't a receipt, 2) nothing substantial regarding Iraq is accomplished by November 08.

ETA: I will always vote because that is my duty as a citizen, and out of respect for people who fought for my right to vote. But I'll be holding my nose as I do it.

[question everything]

21. I think that there is an effort in Congress to mandate a paper trail

after all, we, Democrats, have been the on the losing side of such problems in both 2000 and 2004 (and I do not remember 2002)

[Edweird]

22. I agree 100%

If the Democratic Party isn't all you hoped ot would, work to change it. If you leave for a fringe party, sure you voted your conscience, but at what cost? Nader voters - Are you happy the way things turned out? The 'pukes have voter discipline down to a science. They've got evangelists and faux news working them over constantly. We need all the numbers we can get.