General Discussion

agbdf

(200 posts)

33. Being a Democrat not enough?

Reply to whatchamacallit (Original post)

Thu Jul 10, 2014, 11:37 PM

Jul 2014

Wow, the name of this site is Democratic Underground. It implies, at least to me, the we are all Democrats.

First, in order for us to elect Democrats in Red states like Montana, Nebraska and Missouri to name a few, we have to elect centrist candidates. Sorry but, a Bernie Sanders, Barney Frank, Elizabeth Warren type of Democrat is going to get a landslide
defeat in Red and most Purple states.

These moderate to slightly right of center Democrats help us keep a majority in the US Senate and add numbers to our ranks in the house. Yes, they often vote in a way to keep their constituents happy, they also help put us over the top on real important pieces of legislation.

When I first became active in Democratic politics, over thirty years ago, I was told that we are a "big tent party" with room for diverse viewpoints. If you want ideological, leftist purity, your in the wrong party - try the Greens or the Socialists. Yes, the voters who gave us W in 2000.

Now, about the so called 'one percent." These are the people who live in Beverly Hills, Greenich, CT, Manhattan, NYC, Silicon Valley, Palm Beach, FL South Hampton, NY, Malibu, CA, and within the exclusive neighborhoods of the Seattle and San Francisco metro areas.

Guess what, there almost 80-90 percent Democratic voters. Maybe you think that the one percenters are all hiding out in Utah, Oklahoma, Idaho and Kansas. I've got news for you: poor white Republicans live in those states.

Further, just to let you know where I'm coming from: I am a member of the one percent. Yeah, and I don't particularly feel rich living here in Seattle now. I live in the cities most exclusive luxury high rise condo building. I own one of the more inexpensive units. Almost everyone in my building - some 400 people - are liberal Democrats. They are the One Percent too. I have yet to meet a single Republican.

So, attacking the One Percent may be in vogue for the "Occupy" crowd, it's stupid for Democrats to attack rich Democrats who support the party and liberal cause most handsomely.

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To those whose enemy litmus is anyone who criticizes a democrat [View all] whatchamacallit Jul 2014 OP

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Jul 2014 #1

Yeah whatchamacallit Jul 2014 #2

It's never been enough BainsBane Jul 2014 #3

In the Democratic primary it is ok to criticize a democrat. In the general it isn't. McCamy Taylor Jul 2014 #4

Heh whatchamacallit Jul 2014 #5

Sure, if all you care about is winning and losing and then ignoring actual policy implementation. cui bono Jul 2014 #6

But you can't ignore your policy implementation unless you win! leftstreet Jul 2014 #7

that is what promises are made for reddread Jul 2014 #80

.... 840high Jul 2014 #26

But don't forget Andy823 Jul 2014 #8

Well stated. Skidmore Jul 2014 #13

But don't forget cui bono Jul 2014 #30

I think the term liberal means very little LWolf Jul 2014 #46

SCOTUS n/t 11 Bravo Jul 2014 #9

BOGUS n/t reddread Jul 2014 #73

This message was self-deleted by its author bigtree Jul 2014 #10

Maybe you can provide some samples of this "constant criticism" whatchamacallit Jul 2014 #15

that was over the top bigtree Jul 2014 #18

Thanks whatchamacallit Jul 2014 #19

i agree with whatchamacalit that you should back up what you said Enrique Jul 2014 #16

I am immediately suspicious of anybody critical of Democrats. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #11

Me Too! It Is A Pretzel Kind Of Thing! HangOnKids Jul 2014 #17

I am instantly suspicious of anyone that gets caught with a sockpuppet. Rex Jul 2014 #45

You think so too? Puzzledtraveller Jul 2014 #56

"I am immediately suspicious of anybody critical of Democrats" F4lconF16 Jul 2014 #20

"Does nothing about that sentence seem wrong to you? " MohRokTah Jul 2014 #21

A primary contest usually involves Democrats being critical of one another. Bluenorthwest Jul 2014 #53

That would mean just about every Democrat at one time or another Armstead Jul 2014 #92

Democrat exceptionalists are above scrutiny ...and introspect. L0oniX Jul 2014 #22

Lefists purists are beyond contempt. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #32

"purists"? LMAO Ok whatever. Enjoy your extreme descriptions. L0oniX Jul 2014 #40

Thank you so much. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #41

Your point is dragonshit. Trying to keep the Dem party from going too far right is not "purist"... L0oniX Jul 2014 #43

The party moves right because the purists become unreliable voters. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #47

LMFAO ...the purists are the reason the Dem party moves right? L0oniX Jul 2014 #49

You're starting to get it. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #51

If you really wanted to have a reasonable discussion you wouldn't use the term "purist". L0oniX Jul 2014 #54

Then it is obvious I can have no discussion with you. eom MohRokTah Jul 2014 #62

Here is a list of words that are antonyms for 'pure', the word you destest. These are the words you Bluenorthwest Jul 2014 #66

Purist and pure are two different words. eom MohRokTah Jul 2014 #70

And yet they think that they're the base... SidDithers Jul 2014 #42

Yea Sid because you see that being said here all the time. L0oniX Jul 2014 #44

PRecisely. Their foolish demands for ideological purity result in a move to the right by the party. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #48

So between you and Sid, you got one vote to offer to your nearly Republican candidates of choice! Bluenorthwest Jul 2014 #67

Your rhetoric has gone off the deep end. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #71

This is some silly shit. Get back under the bridge where you belong. Comrade Grumpy Jul 2014 #81

Those who resort to ad hominems typically have no argument. eom MohRokTah Jul 2014 #83

If that's true it's because the 99% is tired of the 1%. cui bono Jul 2014 #29

Your supposition is completely ass backwoards. eom MohRokTah Jul 2014 #31

^^^this^^^ L0oniX Jul 2014 #55

facts would certainly get in the way of that line of reasoning reddread Jul 2014 #75

Which facts are those? cui bono Jul 2014 #84

the political demographics of voter turnout in 2010 reddread Jul 2014 #85

I'm still confused. So you don't think both parties are being corporatized? cui bono Jul 2014 #88

I was responding to the other line of reasoning, not the realistic one you are expounding cui bono reddread Jul 2014 #91

I don't see how you can get to 99% when Democratic politicians don't agree TheKentuckian Jul 2014 #90

There are many purported liberal voices PowerToThePeople Jul 2014 #12

Liberal bashing? Something I'd expect from freeperville or the ccave. L0oniX Jul 2014 #23

Those I am bashing on PowerToThePeople Jul 2014 #24

Obviously liberals are not centrists. L0oniX Jul 2014 #27

It's spelled with a capital "D." Just sayin. WinkyDink Jul 2014 #14

The problem is that for many it is already enough. Puzzledtraveller Jul 2014 #25

I guess what I want to ask the critics, is... liberalmuse Jul 2014 #28

Being a Democrat not enough? agbdf Jul 2014 #33

"Ideological, leftist purity" is dog-whistle terminology developed to denigrate those who hold Maedhros Jul 2014 #35

Sorry, with due respect, I don't see it that way agbdf Jul 2014 #36

That's why I won't vote for Hillary. Period. Maedhros Jul 2014 #37

You mean in the primary - right? agbdf Jul 2014 #78

What are these "hard left values" you disdain? TheKentuckian Jul 2014 #86

Obviously that won't stop them. Look up thread. L0oniX Jul 2014 #52

Self-delete PowerToThePeople Jul 2014 #61

++ ellenrr Jul 2014 #57

+ eleventy brazillion! cui bono Jul 2014 #89

If you've been in politics for 30 years, you've seen the Party wrenched to the Right. Romulox Jul 2014 #60

Wrenched to the Right? agbdf Jul 2014 #79

Just so you know, Bernie Sanders is an Independent Socialist, not a Democrat and Barney Frank Bluenorthwest Jul 2014 #63

Attacking the 1% is exactly what we need to do PowerToThePeople Jul 2014 #65

it will pass for them in 2017 Skittles Jul 2014 #34

IMO, it seems that the "enemy" litmus test is anyone who supports a democrat. ecstatic Jul 2014 #38

those are marketing tested talking points, an absolute flag n/t reddread Jul 2014 #76

Please take your "purist" drivel elsewhere. [n/t] Maedhros Jul 2014 #77

Democratic Underground... SidDithers Jul 2014 #39

"politically liberal people" says it all. L0oniX Jul 2014 #50

The OP didn't mention liberals, only Democrats...nt SidDithers Jul 2014 #69

And yet the Primary process is about intra Party rivals being very critical of one another Bluenorthwest Jul 2014 #58

What about the "liberal" part, Sid. What makes *that* part optional, hmmm? Romulox Jul 2014 #59

Sorry, thought the OP talked about Democrats, not liberals... SidDithers Jul 2014 #68

Read your own quote. nt Romulox Jul 2014 #72

Read the OP...nt SidDithers Jul 2014 #74

It is the responsibility of the people in a democracy to hold public servants accountable. Tierra_y_Libertad Jul 2014 #64

Aaaaauuggghhh!! ReverendDeuce Jul 2014 #82

Why is so much criticism necessary? treestar Jul 2014 #87