Sun Jan 31, 2016, 12:06 AM

Armstead (47,803 posts)

The Democratic Party has proven what a gutless mess it has become

Last edited Sun Jan 31, 2016, 01:44 AM - Edit history (1)

I believe Bernie has tapped into something that can be a rejuvenating energy for the Democratic Party, and for a restoration of the best side of America. I believe that is possible to achieve.

Competition between candidates is what politics is about. But, regardless of whether Democrats believe Bernie is the best candidate or not, the truly shriveled soul of the Democratic Party has been exposed.

This campaign has brought into stark focus something about the Democratic Party as an institution that has long been a problem. It has now broken out into the open -- unvarnished. And it is very discouraging to those of us who have hoped for an evolution back to a party of pro-active liberal ideals and goals and accomplishments.

While trying to hammer down Bernie, they have also hammered down the values they claim to represent.The message that the Democratic Party leadership has delivered in this primary is a final nail on the coffin of any illusion that it represents change, progress and liberalism.

Instead it has officially become a party that dismisses progress, insults it.....and actively seeks to stop efforts to press for liberal progressive change.

The message from Camp Clinton and its allies is unmistakable. "Don't expect us to work for for liberal progressive change. That will never happen. We don't do that. We only do little things. Tiny things that the GOP will allow us to do."

"We think single payer universal healthcare is a great idea. But we don't want to bother with that,,because it's too hard. And we don't want to work to try to convince the American people of its merits, or how it wold benefit them.... Instead, we'll just try to ask greedy insurance companies -- who make their money by denying care -- to act a little nicer."

"We believe training and education are important. But we don't really try to make college a right for everyone. That's too hard. Maybe we can lower the interest rates on student loan debt a little bit."

"Wall St. and Massive Corrupt Banks? Monopolistic Corporations? Hey we'll just ask them to be a little nicer too. Don't worry your pretty little heads about all those messy details. Let the adults make sure they behave themselves."

"Taxes are automatically are bad. We don't believe in taxes to support unicorns."

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166 replies	Author	Time	Post
The Democratic Party has proven what a gutless mess it has become (Original post)	Armstead	Jan 2016	OP
Unfortunately.....	daleanime	Jan 2016	#1
The question remains....	NYtoBush-Drop Dead	Jan 2016	#118
Bernie. nt	ablamj	Jan 2016	#119
I love how Hillary supporters insist on framing the issue....	daleanime	Jan 2016	#121
100% agreed!! nt	hifiguy	Jan 2016	#133
fivethirtyeight.com	NYtoBush-Drop Dead	Feb 2016	#166
All you need to know	kcjohn1	Jan 2016	#2
Agreed	WestSeattle2	Jan 2016	#23
In terms of quality, America doesn't have a two political party system,	ladjf	Jan 2016	#55
Well said!	mother earth	Jan 2016	#112
+1	kristopher	Feb 2016	#158
Thank you - those of us with perspective through the years see this laziness of intellect masking	whereisjustice	Jan 2016	#3
"An epic betrayal of its constituency" Exactly	Armstead	Jan 2016	#4
I often feel like a consumer and labor unit rather than a citizen- Bernie is the cure...	Snarkoleptic	Jan 2016	#20
we are commodity units, like corn and pork belly. And by the way, with "big data computing"...	whereisjustice	Jan 2016	#68
This is one kick ass statement ...	Trajan	Jan 2016	#51
With roots in Oregon, I understand your frustration. Who is willing to stand up for working people	whereisjustice	Jan 2016	#62
Bonamici's my rep, too.	Lizzie Poppet	Jan 2016	#65
Oregonian here. The only one who hasn't disappointed me is Merkley.	Arugula Latte	Jan 2016	#87
Thank you. Best case that I've read about what's behind my dread.	ancianita	Jan 2016	#100
Don't worry, they'll just blame the kids for not voting. Again.	jeff47	Jan 2016	#5
Those pesky kids....yep it's all their fault. Gotta blame someone	Armstead	Jan 2016	#8
Well, they drove my generation into apathy. Time to start on the Millennials. (nt)	jeff47	Jan 2016	#9
Heck the kids in their cradles will never even hear the word liberal if ConservaDems have their way	Armstead	Jan 2016	#10
Oh sure they will. Notice how many of our ConservaDems like to claim they are liberals?	LondonReign2	Jan 2016	#150
Yep, but the truth is it's the people who for some reason I can't figure out, are hoodwinked into	trillion	Jan 2016	#25
I'm sure they will give the liberals their share of blame too. n/t	A Simple Game	Jan 2016	#113
lol - exactly. Nothing gets out the vote by stamping out the idea of a better America.	whereisjustice	Feb 2016	#154
That's why I I haven't donatedto the Dem Party org. in YEARS!	napi21	Jan 2016	#6
If you have billions of $ to spend on lobbyists, why buy only one party when you can buy both?	GoneFishin	Jan 2016	#7
Country Govt for sale: 2 parties for the price of 1!	RiverLover	Jan 2016	#71
Agreed, my opinion of the Democratic party has never been lower	jfern	Jan 2016	#11
We don't have the infrastructure that cares about the progressive ideas.	Gregorian	Jan 2016	#12
I hope that happens	Armstead	Jan 2016	#13
+trillions	dreamnightwind	Jan 2016	#74
Democratic Party has been investing in Wall Street messaging at neglect of working Americans	whereisjustice	Feb 2016	#155
Well said	malokvale77	Jan 2016	#14
I sported this cartoon as my sig for years	Oilwellian	Jan 2016	#15
It's gotten worse. At least they pretended to care before.	Armstead	Jan 2016	#17
Well summed up	Populist_Prole	Jan 2016	#67
IMO it's worse than the cartoon portrays. The Party Leadership works for the Oligarchy	rhett o rick	Jan 2016	#101
Perfectly illustrates the point of the thread.	Duppers	Jan 2016	#123
The party is dead on its feet. No soul left whatsoever. willing to turn away millions of young	Doctor_J	Jan 2016	#16
Ridiculous Tea-Left HYPERBOLE.	RBInMaine	Jan 2016	#36
ridiculous corporate stooge response.	hobbit709	Jan 2016	#48
I'll agree it is hyperbole, but there is a large kernel of truth in it.	BillZBubb	Jan 2016	#89
It is hyperbolie -- I'll admit it	Armstead	Jan 2016	#98
hyperbole?	paleotn	Jan 2016	#138
This post deserves 300 recs. eom	jonestonesusa	Jan 2016	#18
k and r nt	Dems to Win	Jan 2016	#19
Best OP in quite a while, bar none. n/t	bvf	Jan 2016	#21
Best OP I've yet to read here.	RiverLover	Jan 2016	#32
And yet, sadly, the message that is most likely to be ignored by the very people we need to	truedelphi	Jan 2016	#124
Cut it out!	passiveporcupine	Jan 2016	#22
Kicked and recommended.	Uncle Joe	Jan 2016	#24
K&R for this excellent post!! nt	haikugal	Jan 2016	#26
Great post, nt.	Broward	Jan 2016	#27
K & R!	beam me up scottie	Jan 2016	#28
The "THIRD WAY" is simply a formula for turning	John Poet	Jan 2016	#29
Oh hey that third graphic	navarth	Jan 2016	#136
It's sick. It's nothing but an exclusive country club that we ain't in. nt	mhatrw	Jan 2016	#30
Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!	Enthusiast	Jan 2016	#31
The party is riddled with corruption	cali	Jan 2016	#33
We, the people	democrank	Jan 2016	#34
You assertions are wild-eyed hyperbole. Here is why:	RBInMaine	Jan 2016	#35
This is where HRC stands during election season as if these were seasonal allergies.	sorechasm	Jan 2016	#38
Really?	angrychair	Jan 2016	#99
Keep this checklist handy. Remind us each time these get 'done and done.'	ancianita	Jan 2016	#107
Why, simply because based on the record of Corporate-Controlled Politicians, we have	truedelphi	Jan 2016	#125
Only because....	paleotn	Jan 2016	#139
This is the party that brought us ACA, toughest financial regulations since WW2, saved the economy	DanTex	Jan 2016	#37
You are echoing exsctly whst I am referring to	Armstead	Jan 2016	#39
Who says nothing needs to change? A lot needs to change.	DanTex	Jan 2016	#40
Not true. These things started long before Bernie campaign	Armstead	Jan 2016	#44
Wow, epic fail in that post	dreamnightwind	Jan 2016	#77
This isn't about President Obama. He was the right President for the last 7.5 yrs. Now it's time to	jillan	Jan 2016	#131
Oh, calm down you guys. Bernie may well win Iowa.	Hortensis	Jan 2016	#41
Win or lose, it's the nature of the reaction that is so distressing	Armstead	Jan 2016	#43
Nonsense. EVERY time I come back to find new long angry threads	Hortensis	Jan 2016	#57
You and I have both seen variations of this played out over and over again through the years	Armstead	Jan 2016	#59
Contempt for the opinions of others	Hortensis	Jan 2016	#60
Partisans on all sides get passionate and worked up..That's human nature and social dynamics	Armstead	Jan 2016	#81
No, all "partisans" do not get worked up.	Hortensis	Jan 2016	#91
2 brief responses	Armstead	Jan 2016	#94
Brief? US? :) That blue thing's cool.	Hortensis	Jan 2016	#105
I will halfway agree with you	Armstead	Jan 2016	#108
I love the idea of decentralization as	Hortensis	Jan 2016	#120
I think you are seeing a growing unrest from years, decades of the corrupt DC government	rhett o rick	Jan 2016	#127
Of course. Please. I'm part of the "unrest."	Hortensis	Jan 2016	#132
so fix it already.	Blue_Adept	Jan 2016	#42
You make a good point -- However, the elites put up so many roadblocks to that too	Armstead	Jan 2016	#50
I don't think the biggest problem comes from elite roadblocks. Everytime progressive candidates lose	Chathamization	Jan 2016	#54
And how. Hillary wants automatic voter registration	Hortensis	Jan 2016	#63
Yes there is a very big reason	dreamnightwind	Jan 2016	#80
I remember that, donated to Solomon's campaign.	ancianita	Jan 2016	#110
as did i. thanks for doing so! are you in this district?	dreamnightwind	Jan 2016	#111
No, I split life between Illinois and Florida. I send $ to progressives in runs outside my states.	ancianita	Jan 2016	#114
even better, thanks again, we need all the help we can get.	dreamnightwind	Jan 2016	#115
Happy to help. Also sent $100 to some gal in San Diego who won against an incumbent neocon!	ancianita	Jan 2016	#116
Good points, and I've seen something similar play out a lot. I do think we can overcome the money	Chathamization	Jan 2016	#142
I've been posting threads asking for support for a Norm Solomon approved candidate. No replies.	Gregorian	Feb 2016	#159
That's awesome, thanks for supporting him	dreamnightwind	Feb 2016	#160
It's not the party of FDR anymore, that's a fact.	Vinca	Jan 2016	#45
Outstanding OP!	Le Taz Hot	Jan 2016	#46
It's amusing that people believe this	mythology	Jan 2016	#47
The GOP rank and file are uprising for the right-wing version of the same thing	Armstead	Jan 2016	#49
We don't want our country back. We want our party back from the carpetbaggers	Erich Bloodaxe BSN	Jan 2016	#52
The Democratic Party has always included	Hortensis	Jan 2016	#69
Little things.	Smarmie Doofus	Jan 2016	#53
Having lived in DC for a while, there is an element of careerism at play	Armstead	Jan 2016	#56
But it's true in local politics as well.	Smarmie Doofus	Jan 2016	#137
not only are you a great writer	olddots	Jan 2016	#58
More bashing of the Democratic Party on a forum meant to support the Democratic Party	oberliner	Jan 2016	#61
This is in response to the bashing of one segment of the Democratic Party by another	Armstead	Jan 2016	#72
The party has become "Democratic" in name only.	Arugula Latte	Jan 2016	#86
We do have two parties. The Corporatists vs. the Awakening Revolutionaries	libdem4life	Jan 2016	#64
K&R for change!	whereisjustice	Jan 2016	#66
K&R. Well said!	liberal_at_heart	Jan 2016	#70
K&R	CharlotteVale	Jan 2016	#73
We don't need another "I Got Mine To Hell With You" Party...	KansDem	Jan 2016	#75
+100000000	whereisjustice	Jan 2016	#78
This realization came to me during President O's first term...	wtawilltaw	Jan 2016	#76
They revealed themselves when they had majorities in both the Senate and the House	Matariki	Jan 2016	#79
Exactly	wtawilltaw	Jan 2016	#84
Yep. I'm still furious.	Arugula Latte	Jan 2016	#85
We need to study the tactics of the far right and the tea party.	Matariki	Jan 2016	#82
But in terms of getting their candidates elected, they got swindled.	truedelphi	Jan 2016	#126
The problem is money	Deny and Shred	Jan 2016	#129
Trickle-Down is	WhaTHellsgoingonhere	Jan 2016	#83
mass imprisonment, too--sure it surged under Ronnie, sure he replaced asylums with prisons	MisterP	Jan 2016	#109
Of course Hillary is discouraging our dreams of a better America	Jack Rabbit	Jan 2016	#88
I feel beyond sad.	avaistheone1	Jan 2016	#90
I understand your bitterness and anger	Jack Rabbit	Jan 2016	#104
"follow the money" is an investigation heuristic, not a command!	MisterP	Jan 2016	#92
Corruptocrats	Plucketeer	Jan 2016	#93
K&R!	Duval	Jan 2016	#95
They aren't worried	Red Knight	Jan 2016	#96
The scenario you suggest has happened many times in off year elections.	BillZBubb	Jan 2016	#103
This hurts. Like being shown good evidence that your love has already left you for another.	ancianita	Jan 2016	#97
I hear you.	RiverLover	Jan 2016	#147
That is the New Democratic Party in a nutshell. Really sad	jwirr	Jan 2016	#102
K & R	mountain grammy	Jan 2016	#106
Excellent post!!!	JDPriestly	Jan 2016	#117
Raising taxes is not a winning strategy	capitolalb	Jan 2016	#122
Doing nothing is not a winning strategy	Armstead	Jan 2016	#135
Not raising taxes is why we keep having to cave to cuts to social services during budget deals.	liberal_at_heart	Jan 2016	#148
The PTB have no clothes at this point	felix_numinous	Jan 2016	#128
DNC is ashamed of RDR. He raised taxes on the rich, those who	NCjack	Jan 2016	#130
Just a little historical lesson here.	tasgator	Jan 2016	#134
Bernie wants to move the party further to the left and that would be a recipe for disaster.	dubyadiprecession	Jan 2016	#140
Wake up dubya	RiverLover	Jan 2016	#141
Perhaps you might change your avatar pucture	Armstead	Jan 2016	#143
Good catch Armstead!	RiverLover	Jan 2016	#145
This message was self-deleted by its author	postatomic	Jan 2016	#144
Well I guess you put me in my place...Gosh I feel so ashamed	Armstead	Jan 2016	#146
Where will you find those "100 new Democratic voters"?	RiverLover	Jan 2016	#149
You won't get them. You have no awareness of Hillary Clinton's agenda. Past legal activism	ancianita	Jan 2016	#151
Hard to believe, but I joined DU about two months after it was founded, and	Lydia Leftcoast	Jan 2016	#152
My God...LL...One of my old DU political soulmates	Armstead	Feb 2016	#156
I'm not around much anymore, maybe once a week	Lydia Leftcoast	Feb 2016	#161
I come and go over time...but got hooked on the primaries	Armstead	Feb 2016	#162
That's just so sad. Its true though. We need our party back.	RiverLover	Feb 2016	#157
So true! Nt	Logical	Feb 2016	#153
If I attribute this to you, can I copy this to facebook	Heddi	Feb 2016	#163
Check your DU Inbox	Armstead	Feb 2016	#164
They and their Republican counterparts were paying a price for their betrayal of the people	sabrina 1	Feb 2016	#165

Response to Armstead (Original post)

Sun Jan 31, 2016, 12:07 AM

daleanime (17,796 posts)

1. Unfortunately.....

true.

The Democratic Party has proven what a gutless mess it has become

1. Unfortunately.....

118. The question remains....

119. Bernie. nt

121. I love how Hillary supporters insist on framing the issue....

133. 100% agreed!! nt

166. fivethirtyeight.com

2. All you need to know

23. Agreed

55. In terms of quality, America doesn't have a two political party system,

112. Well said!

158. +1

3. Thank you - those of us with perspective through the years see this laziness of intellect masking

4. "An epic betrayal of its constituency" Exactly

20. I often feel like a consumer and labor unit rather than a citizen- Bernie is the cure...

68. we are commodity units, like corn and pork belly. And by the way, with "big data computing"...

51. This is one kick ass statement ...

62. With roots in Oregon, I understand your frustration. Who is willing to stand up for working people

65. Bonamici's my rep, too.

87. Oregonian here. The only one who hasn't disappointed me is Merkley.

100. Thank you. Best case that I've read about what's behind my dread.

5. Don't worry, they'll just blame the kids for not voting. Again.

8. Those pesky kids....yep it's all their fault. Gotta blame someone

9. Well, they drove my generation into apathy. Time to start on the Millennials. (nt)

10. Heck the kids in their cradles will never even hear the word liberal if ConservaDems have their way

150. Oh sure they will. Notice how many of our ConservaDems like to claim they are liberals?

25. Yep, but the truth is it's the people who for some reason I can't figure out, are hoodwinked into

113. I'm sure they will give the liberals their share of blame too. n/t

154. lol - exactly. Nothing gets out the vote by stamping out the idea of a better America.

6. That's why I I haven't donatedto the Dem Party org. in YEARS!

7. If you have billions of $ to spend on lobbyists, why buy only one party when you can buy both?

71. Country Govt for sale: 2 parties for the price of 1!

11. Agreed, my opinion of the Democratic party has never been lower

12. We don't have the infrastructure that cares about the progressive ideas.

13. I hope that happens

74. +trillions

155. Democratic Party has been investing in Wall Street messaging at neglect of working Americans

14. Well said

15. I sported this cartoon as my sig for years

17. It's gotten worse. At least they pretended to care before.

67. Well summed up

101. IMO it's worse than the cartoon portrays. The Party Leadership works for the Oligarchy

123. Perfectly illustrates the point of the thread.

16. The party is dead on its feet. No soul left whatsoever. willing to turn away millions of young

36. Ridiculous Tea-Left HYPERBOLE.

48. ridiculous corporate stooge response.

89. I'll agree it is hyperbole, but there is a large kernel of truth in it.

98. It is hyperbolie -- I'll admit it

138. hyperbole?

18. This post deserves 300 recs. eom

19. k and r nt

21. Best OP in quite a while, bar none. n/t

32. Best OP I've yet to read here.

124. And yet, sadly, the message that is most likely to be ignored by the very people we need to

22. Cut it out!

24. Kicked and recommended.

26. K&R for this excellent post!! nt

27. Great post, nt.

28. K & R!

29. The "THIRD WAY" is simply a formula for turning

136. Oh hey that third graphic

30. It's sick. It's nothing but an exclusive country club that we ain't in. nt

31. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

33. The party is riddled with corruption

34. We, the people

35. You assertions are wild-eyed hyperbole. Here is why:

38. This is where HRC stands during election season as if these were seasonal allergies.

99. Really?

107. Keep this checklist handy. Remind us each time these get 'done and done.'

125. Why, simply because based on the record of Corporate-Controlled Politicians, we have

139. Only because....

37. This is the party that brought us ACA, toughest financial regulations since WW2, saved the economy

39. You are echoing exsctly whst I am referring to

40. Who says nothing needs to change? A lot needs to change.

44. Not true. These things started long before Bernie campaign

77. Wow, epic fail in that post

131. This isn't about President Obama. He was the right President for the last 7.5 yrs. Now it's time to

41. Oh, calm down you guys. Bernie may well win Iowa.

43. Win or lose, it's the nature of the reaction that is so distressing

57. Nonsense. EVERY time I come back to find new long angry threads