General Discussion

Maedhros

(10,007 posts)

39. I voted for the Democratic Senatorial candidate (Jeff Merkeley) in my district.

Fri Oct 31, 2014, 01:50 PM

Oct 2014

However, the biggest problem facing liberals in America is that the traditional Liberal party is openly thumbing their noses at us. They know we have nowhere else to go, and are extorting votes from us using fear of the Republicans. The result is that we get horrendous policies from the Democrats - just ask a teacher, for example.

The only leverage we have is at the ballot box. If Democratic politicians push damaging policies (e.g. the TPP, elective war, blanket surveillance, militarized police, etc.) we cannot expect positive change if we give them a pass, over and over and over again, by voting for them anyway. I'm of the opinion that we need positive change, not the status quo. The "lesser of two evils" approach guarantees the perpetuation of the status quo. Last I checked, perpetuation of the status quo was a Conservative goal.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

92 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

So let me get this straight, [View all] Phlem Oct 2014 OP

What is the advantage of complaining about one group of Democrats this close to the election? FSogol Oct 2014 #1

Bud I voted 2 weeks ago. Phlem Oct 2014 #4

Awesome, but many have not voted yet. Despite your ballot we are still approaching election day. FSogol Oct 2014 #8

Your missing my point. Phlem Oct 2014 #10

I didn't miss your point and thanks for proving mine. FSogol Oct 2014 #13

No I'm not I'm asking a freakin question Phlem Oct 2014 #15

Let me get this straight. You've had since the last election to know why you vote for our team. ancianita Nov 2014 #71

Did you read the op? Phlem Nov 2014 #75

I hear you and appreciate your elaborating on your OP. It's probably our lot as liberals to deal ancianita Nov 2014 #87

Thanks for your reply ancianita Phlem Nov 2014 #88

TOS for Democtratic Underground: Raine1967 Oct 2014 #16

Oh OK, so the mindless zombie walk then. Phlem Oct 2014 #18

That's the DU TOS words, not mine. Raine1967 Oct 2014 #20

Why support Democrats if they still act like repubs? BP2 Oct 2014 #53

I like what Dave Marsh said one day on his Sirius radio show, he said: randys1 Oct 2014 #12

But the average Dem can be the co author of the TTP? Phlem Oct 2014 #38

"Why the hell did I just vote a straight D ticket?" -- Why don't you tell us why you did? NYC Liberal Nov 2014 #86

Yes, I like that, too, but culture war issues are not the be all and end all merrily Oct 2014 #41

You voted. Others haven't. You are discouraging them four days before the election. ieoeja Oct 2014 #14

+1 Skidmore Oct 2014 #19

I voted but I'm discouraging others from voting? Phlem Oct 2014 #26

You simply can't possibly be serious. merrily Oct 2014 #40

I'm going to get whiplash woo me with science Nov 2014 #90

+1000. nt ecstatic Oct 2014 #9

What's the advantage of telling liberals to shut up their complaints about conservative democrats? Scootaloo Oct 2014 #51

Three days before the election. 3 days. Is it really that hard to support our candidates FSogol Oct 2014 #56

Yep. Remember parties aren't about representing ideals or political positions el_bryanto Oct 2014 #2

I agree Phlem Oct 2014 #3

Joking aside - the other guys are more evil. el_bryanto Oct 2014 #7

If you want your philosophy to advance without any power whatthehey Oct 2014 #5

So I should vote for Democrats who want to advance philosophy I don't want, Maedhros Oct 2014 #17

It is ever so much more productive to do nothing at all Skidmore Oct 2014 #21

Do you like their philosophy or the only other feasible option better? whatthehey Oct 2014 #35

I voted for the Democratic Senatorial candidate (Jeff Merkeley) in my district. Maedhros Oct 2014 #39

ooooh so more hate of the Democratic Party by VanillaRhapsody Oct 2014 #6

According to some posters here if you're not a 150+% cheerleader, you hate the party. hobbit709 Oct 2014 #11

And according to some posters here Andy823 Oct 2014 #22

... Phlem Oct 2014 #23

There's a lot more of the former that accuse you of being among the latter if you don't cheerlead. hobbit709 Oct 2014 #24

I really doubt that. nt Andy823 Oct 2014 #44

I don't doubt it at all. It's been said to me more than once. hobbit709 Oct 2014 #45

I am an enthusiastic cheerleader for the 90%. merrily Oct 2014 #31

Exactly. Jeff Rosenzweig Nov 2014 #64

. Nuclear Unicorn Oct 2014 #25

awesome. Phlem Oct 2014 #27

Pay no attention Man from Pickens Oct 2014 #28

Have you ever noticed it's only conservative Democrats who say voters should shut-up? Marr Oct 2014 #29

Pretty much nailed it there. hobbit709 Oct 2014 #30

Rightist posters have many common traits, regardless of voter registration. merrily Oct 2014 #32

+1. n/t Laelth Oct 2014 #57

No. Jeff Rosenzweig Nov 2014 #65

+100000000 It's getting glaringly, disturbingly predictable. woo me with science Nov 2014 #76

You realize, if Republicans take over the Senate Tuesday, it will be solely because of this OP. merrily Oct 2014 #33

Yea I know. Phlem Oct 2014 #36

...or the OP made the election so close they were able to steal it U4ikLefty Nov 2014 #62

That is downright ludicrous. See Reply 40. merrily Nov 2014 #63

I was just riffing on the Nader excuse. U4ikLefty Nov 2014 #66

Ah, apologies. Given the other posts on this thread, it's hard to differentiate between a riff and merrily Nov 2014 #67

no prob, it was a pretty random joke U4ikLefty Nov 2014 #69

It was a fine joke. I just could not easily tell it apart from the serious memes. merrily Nov 2014 #70

Something tells me the groundwork is being laid for a scapegoat LittleBlue Oct 2014 #34

Much like 2010, BUT: merrily Oct 2014 #48

I think we all want to see Democrats beat republicans; liberal Democrats to beat conservative ones; pampango Oct 2014 #37

In my mind, there is no tough call between supporting the party and supporting principles. merrily Oct 2014 #42

+1 F4lconF16 Oct 2014 #54

Posts on this board don't even convince a Third Way supporter to go traditional Democrat or vice merrily Nov 2014 #68

The only 'Dividing" is being done by the 3rd way, neo-liberals in the Democratic Party Youdontwantthetruth Oct 2014 #43

Maybe, but they are in control of the party. merrily Oct 2014 #46

I look at it this way, the Democratic Party is moving futher and futher to the right Youdontwantthetruth Oct 2014 #47

I feel your pain. The system does not give us good alternatives. merrily Oct 2014 #49

Specifically, the division is being done by money. n/t Orsino Nov 2014 #84

Encouraging people to vote straight D definitiely divides the party!!!!!!!! JoePhilly Oct 2014 #50

Sounds like it. Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Oct 2014 #55

I never saw anyone on this board say that, except in posts like your own Reply 55. merrily Nov 2014 #59

I'm so sorry Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Nov 2014 #92

The OP said he voted straight D and is not encouraging anyone to vote anything else. merrily Nov 2014 #58

The OP does not say that. JoePhilly Nov 2014 #72

Why are 3rd Way policies and positions described as "neoliberal?" They're conservative-- Louisiana1976 Oct 2014 #52

Maybe simply "conservative." merrily Nov 2014 #61

+10000000 Phlem Nov 2014 #85

This is like keystone cops bumping in to one another. maced666 Nov 2014 #60

If the Republicans win as a result, yes. baldguy Nov 2014 #73

Then why don't we push back as much as they do? Phlem Nov 2014 #74

How about encouraging people to go vote instead of this? MineralMan Nov 2014 #77

.... Phlem Nov 2014 #78

On election day, any Democratic candidate is far preferable to MineralMan Nov 2014 #80

Post removed Post removed Nov 2014 #81

What's a "#*@!"? MineralMan Nov 2014 #82

sure, sure. Phlem Nov 2014 #83

Now? That's what is being sold 24/7/365. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Nov 2014 #79

No, only when you then insist you'll "never vote for..." the Third Way neocon of your choice.... brooklynite Nov 2014 #89

3rd Wayers are sadly our equivalent to the Tea Party. Rex Nov 2014 #91