What does it mean to be a democrat these days? What do you stand for?

[wolfgangmo]

Does it mean that you drop your pants and assume the position everytime one of your corporate masters steps in the room ala Rahm?

Does it mean that you take a principled stand, ala Kucinich?

Does it mean that you take a principled stand ala Al Franken?

Does it mean that your plane somehow "crashes" ala Wellstone?


For me a democrat is a pragmatic progressive. One who fights for the right things, like a health care, social security, bank regulations, and any of the other issues that keeps the middle class and poor alive and well and driving our economy, communities and country. It is not sucking up to corporate donors, listening to K street (ever), or letting banks or corporations write legislation that you sign you name to while cashing their checks.

What is your opinion? Would the real democrat stand up?

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[cabluedem]

2. Ugh..were not Rethuglicans? Vote for us becuase, ugh, we are not Rethugicans! Thats the ticket. nt

[themaskedliberal]

3. Being a Democrat

The Republicans have it easy--all they have to stand for is blocking what Democrats try to do.

[stray cat]

4. It means I prefer to make a point rather then elect Al Gore over George Bush

What happened in 2000 was perfect because I wasn't crazy about Al Gore and so I didn't vote and got W. It worked out well. So 8 more years of republican rule beats the disappointing leadership of Obama and the dems. As long as I make my point I could care less about myself or fellow Americans -

[scheming daemons]

9. +1000 .... so many on DU are just like this....

...and not everyone will get your sarcasm, but thanks for it.

[mdmc]

5. jocking the coporations and getting Obama elected

:(

[Lorien]

6. For me it's about more than just my own well being. I care deeply about the environment,

and biodiversity, education (I don't have kids), health care for ALL, positive international relations; no more economic hit men and resource grabs, fighting for a living wage for all, true democracy, election reform, equality and civil rights for EVERYONE, and the separation of church and State.

[livetohike]

7. Thank you.

I was about to post exactly the same issues. :hi:

[scheming daemons]

8. The barbarians (Republicans) are at the gate... blocking their path to power is priority #1

Above all else... the Republican party, as currently constituted, must *NEVER* hold the reins of power again.


Last week's SCOTUS ruling tells you why.


We can't have any more conservative judges on the SCOTUS.

[elocs]

12. Wow, barbarians at the gate, and last year so many here were dancing on the GOP grave.

Evidently the rumors of the death of the Republican party were exaggerated. I always thought it was stupid to underestimate what the GOP could do.

SCOTUS. Remember back in 2000 when we heard from those who claimed there was no difference between Democrats and Republicans? And there were thousands who swallowed that hook, line, and sinker. Does anyone wonder what SCOTUS justices Gore would have appointed compared to Bush and how that would have changed American history.

John Greenleaf Whittier: “For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, 'It might have been'.”

[endless october]

10. my list :

peace / non-interventionism
health care for all
energy independence
manufacturing and other jobs for every American even if that means some protectionism
paying for what we spend as a nation and paying off the national debt
equality for all and an end to discrimination
the ability to compromise sometimes, but not if that means compromising your core principles
a strong Bill of Rights and Constitution
recognizing that programs like the drug war have failed and that we should try a different strategy
strong American infrastructure

my strategy to get there would be for us to not be as involved in intervening in world affairs and spending the time and money instead on all of the things we have been neglecting. obvious exceptions would be disasters that occur in other countries. we should always help when we can.

i hope eventually the majority of Democrats who run for public office will look more like my list and less like the current crop that are holding office now.

[donheld]

11. +25