General Discussion

JoeDuck

(79 posts)

68. I'm not sure what it means to be a Democrat now.

Fri Apr 5, 2013, 07:51 PM

Apr 2013

My first vote was when I was 17 years old. Kentucky was one of the first states to allow 18-year-old residents to vote, and we could vote in the primary if we would be 18 before the general election. I voted for John F. Kennedy in that year's primary. I've identified myself as a Democrat ever since, and I tend to be liberal/progressive on almost all issues. The argument that we have to vote for a Democrat because the other party will be so much worse is not persuasive. If you keep petting a dog that bites you when you feed it and pet it, it's going to keep on biting, and it doesn't help to say that at least it doesn't bite as hard as the Doberman pinscher next door. Most people in my little county are registered as Democrats, but in truth, they are Republicans politically and philosophically; they just don't know it. So, what is a Democrat and must I keep voting for people who say they are Democrats even though they seem to share little, if any, of what I stand for? Something has to change. Either I have to become more conservative or my party has to swing back toward the left. I'm too damn old to change. Where does that leave me?

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I have been a Democrat my entire life... [View all] kentuck Apr 2013 OP

Yeah. Me too. Puglover Apr 2013 #1

Me three. djean111 Apr 2013 #2

What your saying is music to the republicans ears. They are hoping and praying we all southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #3

To the contrary... kentuck Apr 2013 #5

you should hear the sh!t I get Phlem Apr 2013 #22

I feel the same way Samantha Apr 2013 #50

Thanks Samantha Phlem Apr 2013 #52

I didn't have any major doubts about where Barack Obama stood in 2008. cheapdate Apr 2013 #103

Hey, my family is from Knoxville, TN Samantha Apr 2013 #116

True. But what is the choice you have? Stay home and republicans win. Do you want a teabagger in southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #25

We should all know this issue. Phlem Apr 2013 #51

I can't argue with anything you said. But lets face it like you said dem are better then the southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #53

Bernie Sanders is not a Democrat. Curmudgeoness Apr 2013 #73

Independent pmorlan1 Apr 2013 #121

Bernie channels Eugene Debbs! xtraxritical Apr 2013 #149

Not even close. Phlem Apr 2013 #159

Well maybe spittin' distance eh phlem? xtraxritical Apr 2013 #165

Dude Phlem Apr 2013 #167

This: CrispyQ Apr 2013 #152

+1 Phlem Apr 2013 #161

I no longer care. If we had a teabagger we would resist their BS Demo_Chris Apr 2013 #96

We wouldn't be voting be for them in office. Would you? I know I wouldn't ever vote against southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #102

I would never vote for a teahadist... Demo_Chris Apr 2013 #104

I know what you mean... BlueCheese Apr 2013 #12

True but remember dems will vote against republicans if they vote with that idea in mind. I think southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #26

They are not immune to their constituents on SS ...it will just take longer for them.. L0oniX Apr 2013 #54

Most of them ARE Immune to their Constituents Because of Gerrymandering AndyTiedye Apr 2013 #119

What of those of us who left the repukes many years ago? aandegoons Apr 2013 #21

Well what is your remedy? Staying home from voting isn't a good option really. You saw what southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #28

Obama just handed 2014 to the repukes. aandegoons Apr 2013 #31

I don't think so. Hopefully there is enough liberal Dem's to stop it from passing. I think he southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #35

um they did the same stupid crap in 2010. aandegoons Apr 2013 #38

The blame lies with the democratic politicians, not the voters. liberal_at_heart Apr 2013 #80

I prefer to take my tyranny pure sulphurdunn Apr 2013 #32

So stay home and make the republicans happy, happy, happy. I ask you as a long time fellow southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #37

I didn't say I'd stay home sulphurdunn Apr 2013 #48

All a Third Party on the Left Can Possibly Do is Throw the Election to the Rapeuglicans AndyTiedye Apr 2013 #106

I do not understand sulphurdunn Apr 2013 #111

Well you saw what Nader didn't when he ran third party. He help put a nail in the dem coffin. How southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #138

The "Centrist" Clinton Administration CREATED Nader. bvar22 Apr 2013 #154

We really don't know that for sure do we? It could have gone the other way just as easy. southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #156

Yes. We DO know that. bvar22 Apr 2013 #162

I assume sulphurdunn Apr 2013 #160

Over and over and over Jakes Progress Apr 2013 #49

Hey man, get a chill pill. I'm not yelling at anyone. Do what you want but remember you live with southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #139

Still over and over. Jakes Progress Apr 2013 #171

See this is the problem... JimDandy Apr 2013 #107

This plus get involved locally. lovelyrita Apr 2013 #136

You're on the right track. Blanks Apr 2013 #144

Well ok who do you want to run in 2016. I would love Bernie Sanders but he'll never ever win, southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #140

Vote Democratic but give your support to outside organizations like moveon, rhett o rick Apr 2013 #83

I didn't even vote for my blue dog dem. I agree with you. southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #89

Agree Iwillnevergiveup Apr 2013 #93

Agree. nm rhett o rick Apr 2013 #94

Actually it's Obama's pronouncements that are music to their ears Doctor_J Apr 2013 #130

It is what it is. Hell yes I am disappointed in Obama. I am praying he is just trying to get them southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #142

Yeah. We can't invest all our energy and resources in politics and elections. limpyhobbler Apr 2013 #4

Since I first voted in 1972... MindPilot Apr 2013 #6

I first voted in 1972, too...and feel George McGovern is the only real Democrat I ever voted for. forestpath Apr 2013 #8

Me, three. July Apr 2013 #76

Me, four CountAllVotes Apr 2013 #78

We Never Recovered from the Loss in 1972 AndyTiedye Apr 2013 #109

K&R forestpath Apr 2013 #7

Yessir. 99Forever Apr 2013 #9

you are absolutely right. No economic justice, no social justice. liberal_at_heart Apr 2013 #10

I believe much of the leadership has drifted away UBEEDelusional Apr 2013 #11

I'm with you, but let's not wait... JimDandy Apr 2013 #110

I remain a democrat and would welcome back my prodigal politicians HereSince1628 Apr 2013 #13

Agree and I'm tired of the schtick Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #14

Nixon was more of a Democrat than Obama! n/t bluethruandthru Apr 2013 #112

No argument from me on that kentuck.n/t Cleita Apr 2013 #15

Your party is drifting away from you. City Lights Apr 2013 #16

Abused by bullies syndrome. ananda Apr 2013 #17

soon we will be like south america - unsafe country with people in shacks n/t 2Design Apr 2013 #18

Pretty broad brush you're painting with there. Puglover Apr 2013 #42

+1000 truebluegreen Apr 2013 #47

I have - Venezuela pre-Chavez - in which people lived in shacks closeupready Apr 2013 #150

Perhaps you didn't read the post I am responding Puglover Apr 2013 #153

No. Actually many South American countries are now being governed by true small "d" Democrats totodeinhere Apr 2013 #43

I`ve been a Democrat for nearly 5 decades. democrank Apr 2013 #19

4 decades here..every dem president except this past election xiamiam Apr 2013 #60

First Vote... Jerry Brown For Governor In 1974... WillyT Apr 2013 #20

First vote - JFK 840high Apr 2013 #65

I'm still in awe of anyone who were able to vote for JFK life long demo Apr 2013 #84

I fully admit I screwed up with my first vote Liberalynn Apr 2013 #85

The older I get... awoke_in_2003 Apr 2013 #23

I know the feeling etherealtruth Apr 2013 #30

"...surrendering to the PTB" gateley Apr 2013 #24

Former Dem here too M_A Apr 2013 #27

+1 Phlem Apr 2013 #41

I have no where else to go, right now my opinion of Politicians is at a low point. gordianot Apr 2013 #29

Feeling the same way. AnnieK401 Apr 2013 #129

There is always only one sulphurdunn Apr 2013 #33

That' a fact. Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #124

Cutting Social Security is political failure for Democrats AND Republicans Aerows Apr 2013 #34

I'm laughing at all the debbie downers here. Same bunch. Every time. n/t lamp_shade Apr 2013 #36

I'm laughing at the pollyannas here. Same bunch. Every time. t Jakes Progress Apr 2013 #55

Wrong! Same bunch but many only crawl out of their dens when there's something to lamp_shade Apr 2013 #59

Follow the thread. Jakes Progress Apr 2013 #170

Dr. King opined that the long arc of history bends toward justice. bluestate10 Apr 2013 #39

The way politics is rigged.... defacto7 Apr 2013 #40

Me too. But not anymore. Fuddnik Apr 2013 #44

In my view, the two parties are the same on economic issues truebluegreen Apr 2013 #45

Yes indeed. The classic con. The shell game. wilsonbooks Apr 2013 #69

Divide and conquer. truebluegreen Apr 2013 #90

You're not drifting away from it, it has drifted away from you ...it kinda started with Clinton. n/t L0oniX Apr 2013 #46

Democrats really should be more than just Republicans who are good on social issues n/t eridani Apr 2013 #56

...... madfloridian Apr 2013 #57

I came to the same conclusion in 2002.... mike_c Apr 2013 #58

My Dad - a life long 840high Apr 2013 #99

Everyone please watch this 16 minute video from TED. Please watch it. riverbendviewgal Apr 2013 #61

That was excellent, thanks for posting. I will follow Ted. Yes, our country is worth saving. mountain grammy Apr 2013 #91

Our President is very smart NanaJackie Apr 2013 #62

I think he cares very much about SS, too -- but he may feel he has no choice. gateley Apr 2013 #70

And the excuses don't work anymore... kentuck Apr 2013 #63

I feel the same way - the 840high Apr 2013 #64

Without economic equality there can be no social equality LeftInTX Apr 2013 #66

Are You Willing to Sacrifice 75 Years of Progress Towards Social Equality? AndyTiedye Apr 2013 #118

No, but Obama is Glitterati Apr 2013 #131

We need a party that truly represents our interests deutsey Apr 2013 #67

I'm not sure what it means to be a Democrat now. JoeDuck Apr 2013 #68

This social equality thing is so much easier to deal with because the country as a whole...... busterbrown Apr 2013 #71

Folks believe way too much in the party system. bigwillq Apr 2013 #72

This is why more of us should run for office. Indyfan53 Apr 2013 #74

Again? Buzz Clik Apr 2013 #75

D's and R's have long been identical on foreign/military/economic policy. delrem Apr 2013 #77

When the pedal hits the metal, the Party sucks on social equality issues, too. blkmusclmachine Apr 2013 #79

What is economic equality? aikoaiko Apr 2013 #81

The sharing of the rewards of production... kentuck Apr 2013 #82

I have to wonder what they teach in business school. Okay class today's lesson is liberal_at_heart Apr 2013 #88

I agree with what you wrote, but there is aikoaiko Apr 2013 #97

True. kentuck Apr 2013 #98

Im with ya mick063 Apr 2013 #86

We need to find a way to elect true believers demwing Apr 2013 #87

any way to sellscoialism DonCoquixote Apr 2013 #95

It's been done everywhere else in the world. Look around. nt delrem Apr 2013 #100

I kinda sorta answered that demwing Apr 2013 #105

let me refine the question DonCoquixote Apr 2013 #114

I understand your question, and have already answered demwing Apr 2013 #137

I can only partially agree -- I don't see the Dems moving to the "right" economically tpsbmam Apr 2013 #92

^^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^ woo me with science Apr 2013 #163

Exactly so, tpsbmam. When you look at the G8 and G20 statements by leaders, including Obama, suffragette Apr 2013 #166

No way. nt babylonsister Apr 2013 #101

You are not alone. ananda Apr 2013 #108

Reform has to come up from the grassroots. nightscanner59 Apr 2013 #113

Too many were happy to take a win in the booth Bonobo Apr 2013 #115

agree. HiPointDem Apr 2013 #117

I'm sorry to see you in a negative place...I've read and respected your opinions for a LONG time Rowdyboy Apr 2013 #120

Thank you DU pmorlan1 Apr 2013 #122

Very well stated, Kentuck. Sad some here do not understand it. Mnemosyne Apr 2013 #123

I may sound strident, but it's late and I'm mad as hell. BrotherIvan Apr 2013 #125

amen DonCoquixote Apr 2013 #126

Serious question for the OP TXcourtney Apr 2013 #127

I agree with the OP and I'm also tired of... PinkFloyd Apr 2013 #128

What passes for the Democratic Party today LiberalEsto Apr 2013 #132

Money trumps peace is the new engine behind the current bi-partisan movement.. midnight Apr 2013 #133

You can remain a Democrat and not have to vote for Democrats Progressive dog Apr 2013 #134

Lost me in the Clinton years, with a sentiment similar to the OP, Alkene Apr 2013 #135

When the workers abandoned the unions, they cut their own throats. olegramps Apr 2013 #141

Same here!! dajoki Apr 2013 #143

When you blinked nineteen50 Apr 2013 #145

It's because a Conservative is in the WH broadcaster75201 Apr 2013 #146

The party has DEFINITELY shifted to the Right -- only a very few good progressives left. whathehell Apr 2013 #147

totally agree Bozita Apr 2013 #148

Been a Dem More than 50 years myself fredamae Apr 2013 #151

From someone looking from the Big Big World, and with the historical credentials.... Bohemianwriter Apr 2013 #155

The Whole Political Baseline Has Moved Right colsohlibgal Apr 2013 #157

And if the tree bears no fruit, it won't last past one winter ... Bake Apr 2013 #158

I think it's to some extent self-deluding... Spider Jerusalem Apr 2013 #164

kick woo me with science Apr 2013 #168

And I will remain a Democrat because of Supreme Court Appointments kiranon Apr 2013 #169