General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why should I be a Democrat? [View all]KPN
(15,981 posts)My answer to your question:
Stay in the Party because it needs you in order for it to change and truly be progressive on the economic front. You are right -- the Democratic Party has moved to the right. It will only move to the left if people like you stay engaged and speak out, play a role in the party. Why is it important that people like us stay as opposed to join a different Party? I just don't see any other party that has any viable chance to be influential in moving the nation back to center-left -- let alone left -- at this point and potentially in my lifetime. And I don't believe the Democratic Party is a lost cause as long as Bernie Sanders is out there (in the party or not) and people like Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley and many others who do strike me as reliably progressive socially.
BUT -- I get you. When I read the responses up-thread, I get the sense that a lot of folks here would be happy if you (and probably I) just checked out of the Party. I'm not about to do that though. Been a Democrat my entire 66 year old life.