I am not afraid to stand with the Democratic Party Establishment.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

Let's see what they have done for our nation:

Won WW l and WW ll
Social Security
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Unemployment Insurance
Integration of the Armed Forces
Civil Rights Act of 1965
Voting Rights Act
Fair Housing Act
Medicare
Medicaid
Aid to Families With Dependent Children
Food Stamps
Marriage equality
Affordable Care Act

It might not be sexy, it might not be chic, it might not be avante-garde but I am proud of the accomplishments of the Democratic party and its allies.

Sincerely,
DemocratSinceBirth
Proud Democrat


P.S. If they were honest with themselves most Republicans would favor the repeal of all of the above, save the integration of the armed forces, as it would result in less people wanting to enlist.

[mmonk]

1. Today's type of Democraric Party Est. can't really

take credit for some of those.

[RoccoR5955]

16. Tell it! n/t

[Skwmom]

22. Exactly!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

25. Many would vote against that list.

[Hortensis]

108. Amazing how many DUers now DESPISE Obamacare...

Given that extraordinary reality, I'm prepared to believe many could be turned against any item on that list by a leader who spoke with tremendous conviction in short, easily understood phrases.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

117. It's not a choice between "love it or hate it".

[Hortensis]

118. It should not be. But Bernie wants to replace it, and

apparently positive support for single-payer is not enough because villification of the ACA is in full steam. To read many of these posts, you'd think they were talking about what we had before the ACA.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

119. The wonderful thing about the ACA is it made healthcare a government responsibility....

What Bernie is proposing is to go the next step and make it an actual right.

This isn't about hate for a half measure that was a massive handout to the insurance companies and big pharma. It's about pointing out that a lot of people still aren't covered. It's not about hate for Obama either.

[Hortensis]

120. You sound balanced enough, maybe go tell THEM?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

127. I just did.

[synergie]

121. Too bad he doesn't have any actual plan to acheive that goal.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

126. Who told you that?

[Fawke Em]

146. I don't despise it.

It's better than what we had, but that doesn't mean single-payer isn't better.

[Helen Borg]

26. Yeah, like comparing nowadays Republicans ...

With those from the old days...

[berni_mccoy]

37. Here's what they can take credit for

- Trade Policies like NAFTA which have decimated industrial jobs in this country
- Supporting HB1 Visa programs repeatedly that take jobs away from Americans who could do them
- Supporting the War in Iraq which ended in a quagmire
- Continuously Compromising on Social Security, Minimum Wage and Reproductive Rights
- Allowing Social Justice to Continue, especially in the south
- Supporting Big Oil and drilling policies which led to massive destruction and environmental impacts

These trends began with the DLC takeover of the party during the Clinton Presidency and Progressives have had to work tireless to regain ground on these issues.

[winterwar]

61. Good list

Those are all a black eye to the Democratic party. Thanks to the modern Democratic establishment.

[Cal33]

65. I agree. Today's Democratic Establishment are more like today's Republicans -- they

are the ones who allow themselves to be influenced by the Corporate Power people. Just
look at DWS and the way she behaves. Is she really a Democrat?

[roguevalley]

89. they sold out our legacy for 30 pieces of silver. that list is seventy years old

That alone tells the whole story of the party now

[Cal33]

106. They did. I also have the impression that the Republicans (unlike many free and

easygoing Democrats) tend to make long-term plans. They probably planted moles
in the Democratic Political Hierarchy since ages ago. Another example would be
how they got control of 90% news media ownership. It wasn't by accident. I
think they also deliberately planned this way back when. They are reaping all the
benefits today.

Corporate Power people really are obsessed with controlling not only our country,
they also would like to control the entire world. In human history many have tried,
and none have succeeded. Of course, there is always the hope of being the first
ones to succeed. These are mainly psychopaths. They make up between 2% and
4% of the general population. Psychopaths are ambitious, and there's more than
enough of them to go around. We'll always have them with us. Hopefully, science
might make a change in their numbers sometime in the distant future -- if our world
should survive that long.

[JohnnyRingo]

100. Some of those are liberal myths...

...and others are opinions.

I don't believe a few democrats supporting the Iraq War for example, made the difference between going in and not, and "compromising" on social programs prevented harsh cuts sponsored by the GOP majority, but my favorite is the myth that Bill Clinton initiated NAFTA.

George HW Bush initialized NAFTA with Canadian PM Brian Mulrony and Mexican president De Gortari on October 7th 1992 and signed it into law on December 17th, one of his final acts in office. It was sitting on Clinton's desk before he took the oath. While he did later finalize a watered down version, Cllinton was roundly criticized for "taking the teeth out of a good trade law" by House republicans. When GW took office he tried to reinstall the original parts of NAFTA but was thankfully stopped by democrats in Congress.

While today's GOP loves that you blame Clinton for what you see as an injustice, the 42nd president wants his credit and proudly displays pix on his presidential library website:





The ultimate myth is that democrats can get things done without compromise. The "do nothing" congress of the early years of the 21st century is testament to that myth.

[pangaia]

69. It can't take credit for almost ANY of it.

[Armstead]

93. None but the last two

....and the Democratic establishment resisted marriage equality until popular support became too much to ignore.

[synergie]

122. And this includes Bernie himself, who has been around long enough to be considered part of that

"establishment" he is "taking on".

[Armstead]

123. Being around does not make one part of the establishment

And Bernie voted against DOMA when most Democrats caved into their own "family values" prejudices and/or political cowardice.

[darkangel218]

2. " It might not be sexy, it might not be chic, it might not be avante-garde"

Do you think thats the reason many of us don't? Because it is "chic" and "avante-garde"??

Oh god...

[DonCoquixote]

4. a lot of the things the op posts

were not only considered "sexy" and "avant-garde" in their day, they were outright called communist, which back then meant "kill people who like this, or at least make them wish they were dead."

[Depaysement]

102. Excellent point

Plus most of the accomplishments he lists were championed by liberals and leftists, not moderates. And many were considered unattainable until . . . they were suddenly attainable.

[SidDithers]

3. DU rec...nt

Sid

[Cal33]

73. Today's Democratic Establishment are more like Republicans than Democrats. That's why

we need a change so badly -- we could very well become a 100% corrupt One-Party nation if we don't.

[William769]

5. I stand with the Democratic Party

Not the Democratic Socialists who are trying to tear apart the Democratic party.

[cascadiance]

6. We don't want to tear apart the party any more than fellow socialist FDR did then...

Glad he stood up to those calling him socialist then and won elections four times despite that!

[William769]

7. My parents were FDR Democrats and I can assure you Socialists had nothing to do with it.

[stonecutter357]

15. +1

[RoccoR5955]

17. That's why they called FDR a socialist.

The right and the corporatists within the Party are the ones who are trying to divide the Party.

[William769]

18. My parents didn't, Im pretty sure the republicans did though which isn't say much. nt

[RoccoR5955]

20. The corporate Dems called him a socialist as well. n/t

[Recursion]

116. And the socialists called him a bank-loving fascist

He took a lot of crap from every side

[Akamai]

56. I am sure that you are for socialist programs, like social security, unemployment insurance,

medicaid, EPA, OSHA, public health care, etc, etc. And I am sure your parents would have been for them too.

Bernie is trying to expand these programs (and also focus on community and world action for climate change) and that's why I support hm.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, not what you call it. And Bernie is offering very substantive programs.

Go, Bernie!

[William769]

58. I think you need to learn what a socialist program actually is. nt

[elias49]

60. Tell us William. Help us Sanders folk out.

What's a 'socialist program".

[hobbit709]

68. A "socialist program" is anything that is not in 150% support of HRC and her $pon$or$

[elias49]

72. Thanks hobbit709..

Sounds about right.

[Shadowflash]

83. Yup.

[ish of the hammer]

91. we are still waiting

what's a "socialist program"

[elias49]

97. Crickets.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

105. I am a capitalist-socialist.

I want to use the profits capitalism creates to ameliorate social ills.

[elias49]

111. Go talk to the banks. And Wall St. Tell them to "Cut it out!"

Capitalism creates capital. That's the whole point.

[kath]

147. Still waiting, more than 10 hrs later. Educate us, William - what is a "socialist program"??

Please share your vast knowledge.

[GummyBearz]

153. Reply #147 has a good question. What is a socialist program William?

Just waiting...

[Spitfire of ATJ]

35. Oh sure. He was into selfish individualism.

[daybranch]

39. whatever they want to say

FDR's achievements were socialist- democratic socialism. I am sorry your parents remain unaware of the birth of FDR's policies. But then revisionist history has mislead many.

[reformist2]

151. That's utter nonsense. Socialist ideas had *everything* to do with FDR's success!

[hueymahl]

33. What a joke of a response

You sound like a republican trying to slur Sanders by calling him a "socialist". And BTW, it is not Sanders and the democrats backing him trying to tear apart the Democratic party - that has been well under way by the DNC and other third-wayers.

[turbinetree]

84. I am a Democratic-Socialist-----------I have to ask what has my political affiliation done to the

Democratic party.

As a person that use to belong to the Democratic- Farmers- League, when I voted, and before I moved out of the State of Minnesota, they pretty much adhered to the Democratic -Socialist system of rights based on the mantra of the Farmers-Labor Party

And presently they are making Wisconsin look like a Third World Country------------------so the DFL by-laws to operate under must have been doing something right because of Democratic Socialism

Here is a history of the "Democratic Party" of Minnesota

Farmer–Labor Party of Minnesota
Founded---- 1918
Dissolved-- 1944
Preceded by------ Nonpartisan League
Succeeded by---- Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Ideology----Populism,Progressivism,
Democratic Socialism,
Cooperative economics
Political position----Left-wing
National affiliation------ Labor Party of the United States (1919–20)
Farmer–Labor Party of the United States (1920–23; 1924–36)
Federated Farmer–Labor Party (1923–24)
None (1918–19; 1936–44)
Politics of the United States
Political parties
Elections


and in conclusion what has ............................

The Third Way DLC done to and for the citizens of this country, and to the Democratic Party, and I know this is sourced from Wikipedia, but take a look at Tom Dashle and Dick Gephardt -------------------where do they work right now?
Where does Howard Dean work now-----------------------

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/18/tom-daschle-lobbyist_n_6897568.html

http://www.thenation.com/article/dick-gephardts-spectacular-sellout/

https://theintercept.com/2016/01/14/howard-dean-lobbyist/


I rest my case..................................



And has for FDR---------------a lot of his cabinet members, brought forth Democratic-Socialist programs, like those from the Farmer-Labor Party.
Below are some of his cabinet members and what they did ------------------------they were pretty leftists and progressive, especially Francis Perkins i


http://spartacus-educational.com/USAnewdeal.htm


Honk---------------------for a political revolution

It is about getting Progressive President, U.S. Supreme Court, Congress, and State and Local Legislatures,


Democracy begins with you-------------------------tag your it--------------------------Bernie Sanders to Thom Hartmann and his audience
Bernie 2016

[betsuni]

8. K&R

[seaglass]

9. Right. If I need to pick the "establishment" such as PP then I choose them over Bernie. That was

really such a turn off I don't think I can consider him any longer.

[wendylaroux]

10. you should have used this video.not as radical,like the Socialists!!!

[Peacetrain]

11. I have been a Democrat all my life.

And I will not turn my back on my party.. Can we improve.. you betcha.. do I feel kneecapped by there not being enough debates for my candidate to be allowed in and for his voice to be heard (O'Malley).. Oh Hell Yeah.. But I am a Democrat from the top of my head to the end of my toes.. and I will fight these battles within the party framework.. And I am so proud of the things we have been able to accomplish with no help from the congress or states..

[BlueMTexpat]

29. This ...

[uponit7771]

51. +1

[Hortensis]

110. Same here. Nature made me a liberal, and

I'm so grateful.

BTW, I think Democrats must be taking note of O'Malley in the debates. He had little camera time in the last one, but he said some really good things. I wonder how he'd be doing if the Bernie phenomenon had not occurred. O'Malley's enough left of Hillary that he might have been the one to excite the electorate and shift the conversation even farther left.

Next time...

[Martin Eden]

12. You're not afraid to settle for the status quo ...

... but you might be afraid of doing what's necessary to bring about the kind of change this country and its people desperately need.

[daybranch]

53. My thoughts too.

This guy seems to have something about being tough or brave when supporting Hillary is neither. This penchant to state his toughness and bravery are a continuing element of his opinion statements. Me thinks he might be as Shakespeare said thou doth protest too much. Whether true or not his choice of such macho language overstates and exaggerates, He does no service to Hillary when he portrays standing with her as brave. He has obviously missed the first major precept of her campaign, which is I am the safe choice and Bernie is not. No Bravery requested , but rather an appeal to fear by democrats of a republican victory.
As always, I want to thank him for his highly amusing and often enlightening comments about himself. If he continues to want to prove his manhood, macho, ego, or whatever it is I invite him to take the courageous stand and support the candidate of democracy. Until then, he continue to keep me amused about his insecurities etc. Heck, maybe he could become a republican and buy a gun. It might protect that macho ego he wants to project.

[Martin Eden]

95. No Bravery Required

Yes, he doth protest too much.

Part of Hillary's campaign strategy is to market her as the "safe" choice, while trying to frighten voters away from Bernie.

The politics of fear is at the core of the Republican Party.

Demorctas need to have the courage to change what very much needs to and can be changed.

[NCTraveler]

13. K&R nt

[RiverLover]

14. FDR had to fight establishment, wall street Dems to enact his New Deal.

And since then, Presidents Clinton and Obama have slashed the food stamp programs. President Obama put chained CPI on the table...I could go on.

This is a fight against establishment Dems to protect FDR's programs. This is a fight to end corporate welfare, which has been enabled by both parties. This is a fight for Americans to make products sold in America, something Clinton & Obama have worked against. This is a fight to end endless war (we haven't "won" a war since WW II). This is a fight for public schools (just look at Detroit for one example.)

The is a fight to bring Dems BACK to being Dems. This is a fight for Democracy.

[RoccoR5955]

19. That's correct

Today's Democrats are not true Democrats. They are third way folks who want to give the Right whatever they want. Not everything, just what they really want. That is why they are willing to compromise.
FDR was labeled a socialist by the corporate Democrats as well as the Republicans back in the day.

[leftupnorth]

28. Precisely.

They are authoritarian neoliberals.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

85. My response

Precisely.They are authoritarian neoliberals

-leftupnorth

I will operationalize the term "authoritarian" for the sake of debate. An "authoritarian" is a person who wants to exert control over others and compel them to conform to his or her beliefs. Given that definition, could you please name all the "authoritarians" on this board.

Thank you in advance.


Respectfully,
DSB

[Armstead]

94. According to your definition, about 80 percent of the people on DU to some degree

[Spitfire of ATJ]

50. In all honesty today's Democrats are split between the late 20th and early 21st century....

The late 20th century ones are proud of the Clinton Era economy that made a LOT of money for Wall Street and worked with Big Business.

The early 21st century ones are the latest young couples getting married and moving into their first apartment and voting for the first time who were born during Clinton's second term. They saw the horrors of the Bush Years and they will NEVER vote Republican for the rest of their lives.

They are much less racist, more aware of civic and social needs and responsibilities and don't admire greed. They also don't see why they can't have a New Deal.

[hueymahl]

36. Amen.

Hit the nail on the head.

[Kermitt Gribble]

124. Excellent post, RiverLover! eom

[hobbit709]

21. I never stood with an "Establishment" that would rather suck up to Wall St. than stand up to them.

[Vinca]

23. Hmmm. Looks like a roster filled with socialist policies, doesn't it?

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

48. It certainly does.

[leftupnorth]

24. LMAO! Blind and rabid party loyalty is no virtue.

It is a vice. An extremely harmful vice at this point in history.

Thanks for telling everyone about it, though.

[zeemike]

46. I find it kind of creepy myself.

Kind of Orwellian or like the old USSR where the party was always right.
Nothing good comes from blind loyalty...simply because it makes you a sucker for anyone con.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

52. It's the "My country, right or wrong...love it or leave it" zombie shuffle.

[leftupnorth]

55. You know, I actually thought that authoritarian followers

Only existed on the right.

I'm still convinced of that, if ya know what I mean.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

63. It's a tell that some personality cultists reveal when their beliefs are challenged.

But you will find it in all walks of life, sadly.

[morningfog]

27. This is kind of silly.

Yes. The Democratic Party enacted these policies. But you cannot separate the acts I the establishment from the tireless work and advocacy of the issue actives. In fact most of these were compromises from the positions of the base.

[aintitfunny]

30. I Agree, that's why I'm a Democrat, however

Unfortunately some people, within the party, have been working for decades to move the party to the right, to turn us into republican light.

This has resulted in NAFTA, the repeal of Glass-Steagall and more under Bill Clinton and the TPP under the current President. The worst of all was media consolidation, which I believe to be a major contributor to the current environment.

The good is fabulous, the not good can be hazardous to the people. I will vote for the Democrat in the GE, and hope that it will be the candidate I support in the Primary, the one who will protect the successes and try to fix the errors.

[vi5]

31. And how many of today's Democrats in the establishment...

have at BEST sat far too quietly by as Republicans and the wealthy have tried to gut those very same accomplishments, and at WORST been actively complicit in those attempted (and in some cases successful) guttings?

[Feeling the Bern]

32. I stand with New Deal Democrats, not DINOs, Blue Dogs or Third Way DLC "Democrats."

I stand behind people like FDR, Robert Kennedy, George McGovern, Alan Grayson, Dennis Kucinich and Bernie Sanders.

[draa]

34. More revisionist bullshit from the "Establishment" hahaha.

The "New" Democratic Party isn't responsible for 90% of that list. Real Progressive Democrats did the rest and you're "establishment" stole the glory. Too bad that Democrats actually have the brains to see what bullshit this is and remember our past. And most know it's complete bullshit.

The Clintons aren't Democrats. They're Neocons with a Democrat label. smh

[hueymahl]

38. What an absolutely bizarre post

Today's "Establishment" is working to undermine many of these programs, has actively worked to reduce SSI and would limit Medicare and has allowed Medicaid to whither on the vine. The "Establishment", including HRC and her husband, had to be brought kicking and screaming to the marriage equality table before they supported it. And integration of the Armed Forces? Can you say don't ask, don't tell?

What a joke.

Actually, the biggest joke is "Won WW I and WW II." That is pretty much the whole country. Why don't you just take credit for discovering America?

[winterwar]

67. Yes

I agree, giving the Democratic establishment credit for winning WWI & WWII is a joke. Laughable.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

152. Who was the Commander In Chief during WW l and WW ll

Thank you in advance.


Respectfully,
DSB

[Katashi_itto]

40. A vapid lackey to a party that no longer represents the values you list, nor those accomplishments

[DemocratSinceBirth]

79. My response

" A vapid lackey to a party that no longer represents the values you list, nor those accomplishments.'

-Katashi-iito

I regret the fact that you have to use an anonymous message board to shower me with epithets but I will take the high road, be the better man, and refuse to respond in kind.



With love and respect,
DSB

[Katashi_itto]

87. I would say the same thing in person.

I have to other "Democrats" on occasion.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

92. May I infer from that you take pride in casually disrespecting people who disagree with you?

Thank you in advance.



Respectfully,
DSB

[Katashi_itto]

96. Only when someone expounds blind loyalty and obedience to and organziation that long ago stopped

representing us.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

98. It still represents me.

My gay friends can marry
My friends without documentation are being given a path to citizenship
And as a result of the Affordable Care Act with its concomitant Medicaid expansion, myself and millions like me can now get medical care.


As Dr. King said "the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice."

[Katashi_itto]

99. They throw us a few social crumbs and steal us blind.

So and my gay business partner can marry his boyfriend.

He and his partner has no plans on voting Hillary either.

She just got on board with that 3-4 years ago.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

101. No group is a monolith

In fact, there were some rich gay hoteliers raising money for Ted Cruz until they were found out.

[Katashi_itto]

103. Whatever. The party doesn't represent anything anymore, except money.

[leftupnorth]

41. One is forced to wonder how much they pay people to post crap like this

All over the interwebz

[DemocratSinceBirth]

74. My response

One is forced to wonder how much they pay people to post crap like this All over the interwebz

-interwebz

If you have proof for your calumny that I am paid for what I write please adduce it. In the alternative I would ask that you do the right thing and withdraw it.


Respectfully,
DSB

[NRaleighLiberal]

42. That was then. This is now. Then does not equal now.

[NorthCarolina]

43. P.S. IF YOU were honest with yourself

you would understand that todays third-way establishment Democrats (those ushered in by Bill Clinton's DLC) would ALSO favor repeal of virtually all of the Social programs in your list.

[tularetom]

44. It ain't your fathers Democratic Party establishment

While you were so busy praising it, it got taken over by republican wannabes like Bill Clinton who wanted to undo, limit if not totally destroy several of the items on your list.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

45. How many, within the Democratic Party Establishment, would be willing to slash or cut

some of the things you have mentioned?

How many would endorse some of these plans today had they not been enacted yet?

How many are working to push through TPP?

How many are working to saber rattle against Iran, while turning a blind eye to Israeli human rights abuses?


How many are actually acting like Democrats today instead of republican light?


If it takes voting for a Democratic Socialist to bring the Democratic party back to its senses...away from the economic royalists... so it can help America then I'm all for it.

https://berniesanders.com/democratic-socialism-in-the-united-states/

#t=222

And, by the way, almost everything he proposed was called “socialist.” Social Security, which transformed life for the elderly in this country was “socialist.” The concept of the “minimum wage” was seen as a radical intrusion into the marketplace and was described as “socialist.” Unemployment insurance, abolishing child labor, the 40-hour work week, collective bargaining, strong banking regulations, deposit insurance, and job programs that put millions of people to work were all described, in one way or another, as “socialist.” Yet, these programs have become the fabric of our nation and the foundation of the middle class.

[Fuddnik]

47. Standing with Ghosts

[uponit7771]

49. +1, imperfect but can be worked with.

[cherokeeprogressive]

54. People! Participate in the Party Purity Parade!

No thanks.

[Uponthegears]

57. What a great list of accomplishments

Our party has every reason to be proud and inspired to do even more.

It's probably fair to point out that, given that marriage equality was the exception (i.e., it existed only a handful of hard-left states) rather than the rule until the Supreme Court of the United States stepped in to do what our party, glorious as it is, was unwilling to do at a federal level, I don't know that we get to take credit for "accomplishing" that one. However, the remaining items were certainly stepping stones to a greater America.

Oh, I did have one question, how many of those wonderful things did we FIRST accomplish after 1992, when Bill Clinton and the DLC (aka the Third Way) took over the party and steered it hard right?

Respectfully
Uponthegears
Proud Democrat

[DemocratSinceBirth]

62. There are more but If I edit my thread I get the red edit icon which makes my post...

There are more but If I edit my thread I get the red edit icon which makes my post aesthetically displeasing

-made service in the armed forces available to all regardless of gender, gender orientation, and gender identification
-protected and expanded women's reproductive rights.

Our party ain't perfect but it's better than all the rest.

[Uponthegears]

71. Well

You have that right!

Blue 2016

[raindaddy]

59. I don't think there's anyone who would argue with traditional FDR Populist Democratic party values..

Unfortunately the current neoliberal establishment is no longer interested in regulating the oligarchs through taxes and legislation, the firewall that once protected America's poor and middle class. They've adopted a new paradigm that has allowed the Wall Street banks and the global corporations to gain control over our economy and resources..

Hopefully enough of us who haven't forgotten what the Democratic Party once stood for along with those of us who might be too young to remember but are tired of a system that no longer represents the welfare of the majority of it's people can change that. The first step is returning a President who "remembers" to the White House

Sincerely,
Bernie Sander's Supporter...

[Indepatriot]

64. I am not afraid to reject a Democratic Party Establishment that lost it's way 35 years ago.

And has been wandering in the Wall Street swamp ever since.
Time for new choices, new beginnings, new opportunities.

I am not afraid to stand with Bernie Sanders

[DemocratSinceBirth]

88. My response

I am not afraid to reject a Democratic Party Establishment that lost it's way 35 years ago.

John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson's Treasury Secretary was C. Douglas Dillon, a patrician Republican investment banker. That didn't prevent those two gentlemen from forging a progressive path.


Respectfully,
DSB

[Indepatriot]

115. I don't believe either party is more than remotely connected to their platforms in JFKs time.

The system has been rigged by years of Third Way triangulation and letting Wall Street literally write legislation. I an NOT anti-capitalism, I AM anti unregulated capitalism. The current crop of Wall Street folks know no morality that deters them from maximizing profit. I do not like them, but do not blame them for gaming a system they've been allowed to manipulate. As Sanders likes to say "Congress doesn't regulate Wall Street, Wall Street regulates Congress" I could not agree more.

Respectfully,
Indepatriot

[Armstead]

66. What have they done lately?

The only ones in the relatively recent past are Marriage equality Affordable Care Act.

The Democrats of today would dismiss this list as a bunch of unrealistic, socialist unicorns that can never be achieved.

[MisterP]

70. mo' like

if this is all you have the primaries will go even quicker than expected

[earthside]

78. A video clip right to the point.

This captures the Clinton campaign perfectly.

[Gothmog]

75. I live in a red state and I am working hard to turn my state blue

[Roland99]

76. Except the 'Establishment" now is favoring Wall St behind the scenes

and that's a dirty dirty bedmate.

[Punkingal]

77. I'm not afraid to, either...I just don't.

They don't stand with me.

[jalan48]

80. LOL @ "fear" and "standing with the establishment".

It sounds as if you think the establishment is the minority, which is an interesting spin.

[merrily]

81. Most of those things were NOT instituted by New Democrats, who have been helping Republicans

dismantle the New Deal and the Great Society programs. To the contrary, New Democrats implicitly distanced themselves from those programs by adopting the name "New Democrats" and expressly distanced themselves by declaring that the day of "big government" was over. And New Democrats have been in control of the Democratic Party since at least 1992.

You know better.

[sulphurdunn]

82. Marriage equality and the ACA,

if I'm not mistaken, are the only legislative items on your list to become law since 1967.

[Old Crow]

86. Title of this thread is a strawman argument.

My dislike of the current Democratic Party Establishment has nothing to do with being "afraid."

[blackspade]

90. No surprise there.

I am also proud of what the left wing of the party has accomplished in the face of opposition from the establishment wing of the party and the Rethugs.

[cheapdate]

104. I stand with the Democratic Party.

My basic outlook is liberal and not conservative. There are diverse ideas, beliefs, and perspectives in the Democratic Party. I know I'm not going win every argument, but I know we share a common language and some common assumptions for talking about individuals, family, and society. The Democratic Party is my party and probably always will be.

[Autumn]

107. I see no reason to stand with the Democratic Party Establishment.

The democratic establishment would cut and weaken many of those things at the behest of the republicans to get milquetoast legislation passed.

Sincerely,
Lifelong Democrat until 2015
Proud Independent Registered Unaffiliated.

[AgingAmerican]

109. The exciting world of corporate nothingness!

[MellowDem]

112. You don't even know...

what the current establishment stands for. It stands in opposition to quite a few of those "socialist" accomplishments now, and is in favor of watering them down.

[Broward]

114. Then you stand with drastic levels of wealth disparity and income equality.

[Romulox]

125. Modern Third Way Democrats would actively fight about 80% of that list.

Just like they fight against Universal Healthcare.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

128. Here is my list

Modern Third Way Democrats would actively fight about 80% of that list.

-Romulox

Here is my list:

Won WW l and WW ll
Social Security
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Unemployment Insurance
Integration of the Armed Forces
Civil Rights Act of 1965
Voting Rights Act
Fair Housing Act
Medicare
Medicaid
Aid to Families With Dependent Children
Food Stamps
Marriage equality
Affordable Care Act

Please name the Democrats that would oppose 80% of that list

Thank you in advance.

and


Respectfully,
DSB

[Romulox]

129. YOU would fight against every item on that list, if Hillary opposed it. nt

[DemocratSinceBirth]

131. " YOU would fight against every item on that list, if Hillary opposed it. nt/"

" YOU would fight against every item on that list, if Hillary opposed it. nt/"

-Romulox

Rather than respond to your calumny In kind I will take the high road, be the better man, and let other posters decide if I am the type of person who would "oppose" every item on that list:

Won WW l and WW ll
Social Security
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Unemployment Insurance
Integration of the Armed Forces
Civil Rights Act of 1965
Voting Rights Act
Fair Housing Act
Medicare
Medicaid
Aid to Families With Dependent Children
Food Stamps
Marriage equality
Affordable Care Act

My dad had a ninth grade education. He was effectively self emancipated at 15 years old when he left his sixth floor Bronx walk up apartment to become a stevedore at the Baltimore Shipyard. My mom was in Rapid Advance and graduated high school at fifteen years old, became a bookkeeper so she could support her kid brother and her mother who was widowed when she was nine months old. My parents never had much but they taught me to be tolerant, respectful, and compassionate. My folks and I moved to Deltona, Florida in 1970. My dad got a job putting up road signs. When it was time for lunch my dad instinctively sat down with his black co-workers for lunch. They told him it was fine with them but he would be shunned by his white co-workers. My dad said "I don't give a shit." He would take my mom and I to visit his black friends in DeLand, Florida. It was very segregated then. Hell, it's still segregated now. I can remember walking to the store with my dad's friend's kids. I was the only white face for miles. My dad invited them to our home, despite the racist remarks from our neighbors. He died when I was fourteen and left my mom and I a home that can best be described as a shotgun shack and a lot of debt. Through hard work and government assistance I was able to go to college and grad school.


I don't owe you or anybody but God an account of my life but I will defend my character against gratuitous and deeply disrespectful shots at it. To suggest I don't subscribe to humane and liberal principles is an ugly smear.

Your turn.


Respectfully,
DSB

[1StrongBlackMan]

132. That poster, clearly, doesn't know you, or anything about you ...

But, it saddens me that anyone would lodge such an ugly accusation.

But on the other hand, welcome to the "Mindless Club"!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

133. It seems our friend made an assertion.

It seems our friend made an assertion and I had the temerity to ask him to provide evidence for it. Instead of providing evidence or saying he or she misspoke, he or she launched a bitter and personal attack on me.

My dear friend, I literally have to sublimate my personality to a unfathomable degree not to respond in kind.

[1StrongBlackMan]

134. I know ...

the sheer anger on display is saddening; but, I guess that comes with wavering and unfulfilled emotional investment.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

135. To suggest I oppose equal rights or helping folks in need. That's an ugly accusation.

You have to some serious stirrings in your own soul to accuse a stranger of that.

[1StrongBlackMan]

136. Well ... Sadly, it's fairly consistent with their world view, i.e., their projections ...

PPac endorses HRC => defund PP ... beneficiaries be damned

HRC endorses HRC => screw HRC ... beneficiaries be damned

Civil Rights legend, John Lewis endorses HRC => under the "mindless/gutless bus you go ... damn his history of activism.

The only safe harbors are Port Bernie or Port Silence.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

137. I don't believe a Manichean view of the world is productive, for anybody.

It robs people of their individuality, that which makes them human.

[1StrongBlackMan]

140. LOL ...Had to look that up ...

but I agree ... but it not only robs people of their individuality, it assumes a superior intellect/morality of the accuser ... which in itself should be troubling for those that self-describe as the left.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

142. It betrays more than a smidgen of paternalism and authoritarianism

Both are the antithesis of liberalism.

[Romulox]

138. Remember: your claim is that you're an O'Malley supporter!

[1StrongBlackMan]

143. Yes ... very well ...

I think you neglected to establish your point.

Premature Postalation?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

150. What does his choice of candidate have to do with his posts?

If someone attacked you I would like to think I would come to your defense regardless of your race, religion, gender, gender orientation, et cetera.


That would be the liberal thing to do.


With love and respect,
DSB

[Romulox]

139. Your autobiography is of no interest to me.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

149. I am glad

I am glad you find it easy to degrade, disrespect, dehumanize, and denigrate me on an anonymous message board, but as I said near the beginning of our tete a tete I will take the high road, be the bigger man, and not respond in kind.





Respectfully,
DSB

[Bread and Circus]

130. I am laughing at you because most, nearly all, of that stuff you listed is not from....

...today's Democratic Establishment. Most of the accomplishments you listed are from the pre DLC days. Your list is an argument FOR Sanders and AGAINST Clinton.

It basically a list of Social Democrat victories. Good job.

You really stuck your foot in it now.

[RBInMaine]

144. Um, the DLC doesn't exist anymore. Time to update that VERY dead DLC line.

[Bread and Circus]

145. Third Way, whatever euphemism they use. Doesn't matter. The point is the same.

It's a joke, the OP is a joke wrapped in a blunder, and you here defending it in your own special way is just icing on the cake.

I really wonder what is wrong with you people.

[Nanjeanne]

141. Great List Except

Most are Pre-Clinton - and represent the party as it once was - and which I have missed.

So Let's add to the list:

Federal Crime Bill of 1994 - that damaging law which included the infamous “three strikes” law

Welfare Reform - now 20 years after he scrapped Aid to Families with Dependent Children in favor of the right wing’s underfunded and more punitive vision, the # of poor American children has exploded

Deregulation King - pushed for the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act that dissolved Glass-Steagall law, but also deregulated the risky derivatives market

NAFTA and CAFTA - and the gutting of manufacturing jobs

DOMA

Expanded the war on drugs.

Expanded the death penalty

And let's not forget the political smears, ie. Sistah Souljah.

Now it's true that under President Obama we have Marriage Equality - but that is in a very large part due to the great work of the LGBT community and individual states - and pressure to be on the right side of changing demographics. Re ACA - has some good stuff in it - but after the House passed the public option - and Pres Obama pretty much gave up using his bully pulpit to push it through the Senate - I had a harder time reminding myself that I have always been a Democrat.

So . . . yeah - I'll stand with the establishment your list represents. That's why I'm standing with Bernie Sanders

[Warren Stupidity]

148. +1000