Stop Calling Me A Progressive (Rant)

[WiffenPoof]

I am a Democrat. I am a proud Democrat. I have been a Democrat all of my life.

Since when did my principles become "progressive?" I am an FDR Dem and hold to the beliefs in the Economic Bill Of Rights.

Since when did my principles become "extreme?"

Since when did I become a person that "blames America first?"

Since when did I become a socialist?

Since when did I become a person who is considered "anti-American?"

Since when did I become a person that hates capitalism?

Since when did I become a traitor?

I don't recognize my party anymore. It is less than a shadow of its former self. You're damn right that I had high expectations when our President was elected. He helped to solidify those expectations...did he not? I put aside my own cynicism ONE LAST TIME with his campaign. I believed...I had faith. I fought and contributed....I gave more to help him get elected than I had ever done for any other candidate.

Don't tell me that I wanted a pony...I didn't want a pony. I simply wanted our President to live up to the promises of his campaign...to act with conviction and strength. I wanted someone to carry the banner of the "people."

I don't know what we have now. I have no fucking idea.

I'm a DEMOCRAT. Where has my party gone?



FDR - Economic Bill Of Rights.

Among these are:

The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

The right of every family to a decent home;

The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.

America’s own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for our citizens.


-PLA

[ProSense]

1. Who called you a progressive? Also

I am a Democrat. I am a proud Democrat. I have been a Democrat all of my life.

Since when did my principles become "progressive?" I am an FDR Dem and hold to the beliefs in the Economic Bill Of Rights.

Since when did my principles become "extreme?" (Who you extreme for being a Democrat?)

Since when did I become a person that "blames America first?"

Since when did I become a socialist?

Since when did I become a person who is considered "anti-American?"

Since when did I become a person that hates capitalism?

Since when did I become a traitor?

Who called you "extreme," "anti-American," a person who "hates capitalism" for being a Democrat?

Is this post calling out Republicans? Did Republicans call you progressive?

[WiffenPoof]

3. In All Honesty, ProSense...

You are a smart person and you know exactly what I'm saying.

-PLA

[ProSense]

4. No, I don't know exactly what you're saying.

That's why I asked the questions. They weren't rhetorical.

[WiffenPoof]

6. So...

Do you believe that the Democratic Party still stands for the principles outlined in the Economic Bill of Rights by FDR?

-PLA

[Recursion]

27. By the standards of DU, nobody ever has stood for those principles

and certainly not FDR.

[crim son]

8. Oh brother.

I don't know you and I know you know what the OP is talking about. Duh.

[ProSense]

10. You're right

"I don't know you and I know you know what the OP is talking about. Duh."

You don't know me.

[WiffenPoof]

11. I will tell you this...

Yes...my remarks are mostly concerning Republicans and what they have called me over the years.

I apologize. I am just upset right now and I'm not sure how to effectively express it.

-PLA

[msongs]

2. our party is still here locally and in California. Top DC leadership has gone repub lite nt

[Uzybone]

5. geez

[GeorgeGist]

7. You are not a progressive.

[Uzybone]

9. Just wait 2 years

Your party will be on the presidential ballot again. They you can correct your mistake.

As a democrat/liberal/progressive I'm quite happy with my 2008 vote.

[damntexdem]

12. Sounds progressive to me.

But call yourself what you want.

[DrToast]

13. Progressive is an ideology. Democrat refers to your party.*

*

[lunatica]

14. I'm a Progressive Socialist Democrat

and I think it's a compliment to be called that. Lot's of ignorant people have tried to tell me I hate my country. It doesn't phase me because I know I love it and don't suffer from Jingoistic uber-patriotic nationalism like my critics. I believe in live and let live so they're entitled to be stupid as much as they want.

[golfguru]

15. Good post!

[WiffenPoof]

16. As The Original Poster....

Dr. Toast has it right. Progressive IS an ideology and the Dem is the Party. In light of that (obvious) realization. I suppose that I am a Dem with a progressive ideology.

I suppose that I wished that the Dem Party were more united on principle...There is a spectrum of ideology from the most conservative dem to the most liberal.

I'm sorry that I went off on the deep end. Between the reading(s) of the Constitution, the realization of losing the House, the appointment of Daley...I mean, it hasn't been a good day.

I simply want us, as Dems, to not lose sight of what has made us the Party of the People. I don't want us to lose our way. With the current administration, I cannot help but feel that this isn't your father's Dem Party any longer.

-PLA

[KoKo]

18. Understand...

Bill Daley is a bit much to choke down. Some of us were hoping for new faces and new input. Maybe some ordinary people from the "outside" of DC, Machine Politics and Wall Street. Some people who have a good track record in Dem State Politics to be brought in. And, some of us even hoped that one of the 50 Dem Leaning Economists who wanted real Banking Reform might have a chance to be key in the Obama White House. It's not that Obama doesn't have Clinton Economists on his team, who would be considered Democrats...but where is the new blood? Where are the economists who didn't support the deregulation that brought the financial meltdown and helped craft legislation that sent our jobs overseas because they thought it was "good for the economy."

We thought there would be a different direction from this President, particularly after the global meltdown where so many ordinary people have been brought into such hard times. I think as Democrats who have donated and voted and been active, that we have a right to voice some disapproval. And, a right to hope that we will be heard.

[demwing]

19. What's wrong with reading the constitution?

Yeah...its showboating, but in the end, the fuckers read the Constitution. Some perhaps for the very first time. Plus, we got to hear a teabagger go to jail in the process. Woot!

[quaker bill]

17. Since when?

Sometime around 1980.

[Laelth]

20. The word "progressive" pre-dates modern liberalism, i.e. F.D.R.

It's a reference to "The Progressive Era" in American politics, i.e. 1890-1920. That was a rather enlightened political era, as I explain here: http://laelth.blogspot.com

If you're interested.

-Laelth

[Recursion]

28. Ironically, Hoover was the last "progressive" President (nt)

[Laelth]

29. Very true. n/t

-Laelth

[mmonk]

21. OK. But you are. Your post asks the right questions.

[harun]

22. Early 90's I was considered Conservative, now I am considered

a radical leftist commie who hates America. And my principles and what I want from Gov't hasn't changed since then.

The gov't and Corporate media have moved right since 1980 continually, not stopping at any point. I don't recognize the Democratic party anymore either.

Both the Dem's and GOP seem to be competing for Corporate attention, not for the will of the electorate.

[A Simple Game]

23. I am a liberal.

I used to be a democrat, but because I am a liberal, I can no longer call myself a democrat.

[tavalon]

24. I AM a progressive

I was a Democrat.
I am now a Democratic Socialist.

I don't freak when people call me a Democrat though, because I know I hold the ideals of the old Democratic Party. I wish the Democratic Party still held them, but they don't seem to.

I don't like it when they try to marginalize me by using whatever buzz word or phrase they think will demean me. Professional Left? LOL I'm a professional and I'm as left as one can be and not kick a libertarian in the ass.

[felix_numinous]

25. I am with you

on this point. We have actually had this discussion on DU before. I responded that even the word 'conservative' was a misnomer, they are actually the radicals. We who in actuality wish to conserve our Republic, Constitutional and Bill of Rights, human rights, and to conserve the Earth are considered RADICAL? What a mind job, and it really gets old. Thank you for the reminder, you are right on.

[bvar22]

26. K&R

"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans."---Paul Wellstone


"By their works you will know them."



---bvar22
Formerly, a mainstream center FDR/LBJ Pro-Working Class "Democrat".
Now relegated to the lunatic fringe "fucking retards" wing of the "New Democrat" Party