Why are you a Democrat? [View all]

[MaggieD]

Are you a Democrat in service solely to get more Democrats elected? Or is supporting the values you think the Democratic party supports more important? Or at least equally important?

I ask this question because I have never voted for a Republican in my 34 years of voting. As such I have voted for a few Democrats that kind of turned by stomach. And I have endured a bit of criticism from moderates / independents in my realm for being a one party voter.

I justify my one party voting because I understand that a party must have the majority in a legislative body to effect change. And the majority is often in the position to make important political appointments that are crucial to advancing the good values of the democratic agenda.

However, the fact that I will vote for some politicians I find generally distasteful does not, IMO, obligate me to actually defend them in the face of criticism. I guess I don't understand the idea that I must defend every Democrat to the death, even when they do really distasteful things.

Why can't I vote for them for the greater good when it comes down to D versus R, yet still not be allowed to say they did something fuct up when they do something fuct up? How the heck do we reform the party when needed if we follow blindly without criticism?