Why be a Democrat - is it something you are born with?

[Waterguy]

When I first registered to vote I think I must have been twenty, in1981,
I wasn't sure which of the two parties fit me best,
I guess I was just looking, shopping around I think is the best way to put it,
for some truth and honesty, and nothing seemed to fit.

So, I registered as
an independent. At the time I thought that was the most rebellious way to go.

I was confused about government and my civic duty in general as well as
about general economics, who wasn't when they were young, or who isn't at any age?

Soon afterwards, I became enamored by Ralph Nader, and still am.
As an optimist, I've always voted for the Democrat.

Bernie Sanders rekindled this
I remember people in my youth, George McGovern, a faint remembrance
of MLK Jr, and the Kennedy's held a large part of what you might call
- my idealism

I liked Jimmy Carter when he was the president for his honesty
and policy agenda, and even though I was only a teenager back then, I could see
he was imperiled by a congress that sat idly by and ignored
progress that fit the needs of all people

Not like democracy itself has ever been or ever could be something
perfectly shaped.

So, I slowly tried to understand economics, what is going on - in the growth of the
financial sector, the decimation of the middle class, the decimation of workers unions,

the idea of supply side economics, the neoliberalism as well as the global economy
- how the global economy operates can be corrosive but it does not have to be that way

I always thought about materials - infinite things, how much stuff is there, how is it utilized,
and how do you make it stretch without destroying anyone's chances for a good life

So, I always try to stay objective and open

And for that they call people like me too far to the left

--- there's no proper definition to the term.

too far either way means you take extreme ideologic positions and go off the rails, to the point of causing
harm to property or to people.

I'm not someone who would harm either, just the opposite...

But it's not easy
trying to suss out the right way
without a whole lot of help

Of course, it's quite impossible

One has to look hard at someone or something
to help guide you, history, literature, another person close

to you, and I think this whole thing is a big adventure in

evolution - but that does not make it easy

It's drama - coursing through our veins
even though we are too busy half the time
to realize reality as it unfolds

Fear itself
makes it too hard to properly catalog
what in the past worked and what did not,
unless we care enough
to look hard from where we came


I like Hakeem Jeffries

[Jerry2144]

1. Descartes said it best

I think. THerefore I am a Democrat.

[niyad]

3. Exactly.

[niyad]

2. Welcome to our DU family.

[Solly Mack]

4. I think I was born being allergic to conservatism.

[sprinkleeninow]

5. I embraced being a Democrat bc of my parents' tutelage.

[samplegirl]

9. Me too

They were seldom wrong!

[appalachiablue]

6. Nice post, welcome.

[MaryMagdaline]

7. I was heavily influenced by my mother

She converted from boring Midwest Republican to liberal Democrat with Johnson’s Great Society. We were given a copy of the New Testament and my parents preached Sermon on the Mount. I was more conservative than my mother - more nationalistic and militaristic - but always an economic liberal.

Other influences: grandfather and older cousins who were involved in labor unions in Detroit; Jacob Riis “Making of an American” - about tenement houses and poverty in NYC.

in the 70s I saw the Democratic Party always voting for student loans, women’s rights. I know I only made it in this world because of those laws passed by Democrats. Democrats always pushed for national healthcare. Their policies always attracted me.

[Kid Berwyn]

8. Democrats believe all are equal under law.

And Democrats aren’t afraid of doing hard work.

[betsuni]

10. My first vote when I was old enough was Carter/Reagan and I wasn't an idiot.

Nader/Sanders, nope nope nope nope not an idiot.

First time I realized I was a Democrat and aware of class and race was in elementary school, 1972. Teacher had us separate, one side to Nixon supporters, the other to McGovern. I was the only white kid on the McGovern side with the few minorities. Nixon side all white smirking future Republicans.

[scarletlib]

11. Honestly, I think I was born this way.