We can't wait any longer: Time to rebuild the Democratic Party

[Newsjock]

Source: Daily Kos
By Daily Kos user brooklynbadboy

Times are tough. The working people of this country are not just losing their jobs, they are losing their homes and in some cases, their entire way of life. Their dignity. Their respect. Men can't earn a decent living so that they can raise their heads with pride around their children. Women can't get a break from their increasing burdens. Children are piling up their disappointments. Our great men of commerce are weak and corrupt. Our defenders are weathered by war, deployed far from home. The political institutions that are tasked with governing are broken. The men who lead them are inadequate to the challenges before them. It is very difficult to look at the state of our union and find it strong. We the people have got to do something about it and it has to start now.

This isn't just about winning an election, although that is a part of it. After suffering a defeat in 1992, the conservative base of the Republican party demanded that the party return to first principles. In two years, they won big. After suffering an even more convincing defeat in 2008, the Republican base demanded that they adhere even more ardently to the party's core values. There were rewarded for that. Yet, we know that when it comes to Democrats, the media and political elite in Washington always return to the same failed advice: Don't fight for traditional Democratic values. They have a "new third way" that is basically the Republican way without the bigotry and sexism. While they tend to come to power when Republican governing fails, Democrats never last long. As fake Republicans, they'll nearly always meet defeat to the real thing. The real question, however, is who will lead the Democratic Party back to its traditional values?

... We do not have time to wait for politicians to learn how to do the job effectively. They may never learn. We do not have time to wait 10, 20 or 30 more years while our people and planet fall into the abyss. We cannot confine ourselves to years and years of seemingly pointless phone calls and emails. Our people are dying. Our people, the Democrats, the people who didn't show up for this election, are suffering. We have to link up, walk into that meeting and start getting our own people in positions of authority. We need power in order to fight back. We've got to seize control of this party and change the rules so that it cannot be taken away ever again. It can be done, it should be done, and it will be done if we have the stomach for it.

Read more: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/11/14/920400/-We-cant-wait-any-longer:-Time-to-rebuild-the-Democratic-Party

[dkf]

1. What is odd is that in times of economic hardship the public choose the Republicans.

[villager]

2. Yup.

n/t

[Kingofalldems]

3. Calling Dr. Dean--Where are you?

[raven42]

4. I'm not sure it's possible to win back the white working class

at this point. They have swallowed hook, line, and sinker the conservative propaganda they see on fox news, and hear on talk radio. Even if the Democratic party became more bold in presenting a progressive economic message it probably would bounce right off most of these people. That doesn't mean I don't think Democrats shouldn't become more bold in promoting a progressive agenda. I think we should. But I believe the best strategy is the old "expand the electorate" strategy: we need to continue to appeal to Hispanics (and organize among them), as well as other minority groups, while strengthening our support among liberal-moderate white voters who are uncomfortable with the right-wing craziness of the repukes. That's the best strategy for success.

[readmoreoften]

5. This is silly. White people are 80+% of the population and working class people are about 77%.

There are plenty of white, working-class people who are progressive or left of that. White people who are Republicans tend to be petit bourgeoise, aka "the middle class": small-business owners, farmers, and the self-employed.

[raven42]

7. I primarily was thinking of all those people who would be considered

part of the "working class" who are hard-core republicans now. Just look at the voting patterns in the south; and in much of the Midwest. I consider myself part of the "white working class," and I have met countless workers who are right-wing republicans--despite the fact that they often have to work two jobs just to get by. They watch fox news and listen to talk radio. Their mind is completely closed to any other point of view. These are the people that I don't think can be reached anymore. These people are not the "petit bourgeoise...small-business owners, farmers, and the self-employed." Obviously the Democrats still need to win a good portion of the white vote. But when is the last time they even came close to getting 50%? And do you think they ever will again? It'd be nice--but I doubt it.

[kentuck]

6. I feel a "movement" happening...

...and I'm pretty sure it's not a bowel movement. :-)

There are no nominated leaders. Everyone is a leader.