Why are you a Democrat? last week a DUer I respect asked that question in a contentious thread

[The Polack MSgt]

"What aspects of the Democratic party appeal to you (Why ARE you a Democrat)?" is the exact quote.

I thought that was a grand question and decided that I should answer publically - on the record so to speak.

I am a Democrat because I came of age in the hills of Appalachia watching the mines and mills die while 3 generations of union members were demonized and blamed for it.

I am a Democrat because I watched as Reagan proved that funneling cash to his cronies was easier if he could put a black face on Government services.

I am a Democrat because I believe that providing quality education - even to poor folks - is a vital function of a healthy society

I am a Democrat because I believe that women are fully human, and deserve autonomy in their life and health choices.

I am a Democrat because I believe that ALL citizens deserve equal treatment under law.

And also because that the GOP, a party that used to comfortably include Jack Kemp now embraces a festering cheeto colored chancre

[Raster]

1. Bless your heart, and DAMNED proud to recommend!

[LaydeeBug]

2. THIS. nt

[TexasProgresive]

3. I'm stealing that with changes to make it work for me.

I am a Democrat because LBJ got the civil rights act into law.

I am a Democrat because R.M. Nixon was a crook.

I am a Democrat because I came of age seeing the great hope of the working poor and middle class be dashed by Reagan/Bush while generations of union members were demonized and blamed for it.

I am a Democrat because I watched as Reagan proved that funneling cash to his cronies was easier if he could put a black face on Government services.

I am a Democrat because I believe that providing quality education - even to poor folks - is a vital function of a healthy society

I am a Democrat because I believe that women are fully human, and deserve autonomy in their life and health choices.

I am a Democrat because I believe that ALL citizens deserve equal treatment under law.

And also because that the GOP, a party that used to comfortably include Jack Kemp now embraces a festering cheeto colored chancre

[The Polack MSgt]

17. It ain't stealing.

Not if I put it out as a starting point.

Copy and paste is the best friend of staff action officers the world over.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Very well said! I am proud to K&R your eloquent post. Thank you! n/t

[sab390]

5. The posts quoting Roosevelt and Truman

There are those who see the problems and want to try to fix them and those who benift from them. For more than a century progressives have been on the right side of every fight. Every fight. Every advance has been gained by progressive wins. The slow horrid slide of the last 36 years should be laid at the feet of the right. We need to shout the praises of the greats before us and make sure all of the failure of the right are squarely laid at their door.

[The Polack MSgt]

25. Yes

[AJT]

6. Beautifully put

Thank you

[ismnotwasm]

7. K&R

[skylucy]

8. +100 and Amen.

[mcar]

9. K&R

[HassleCat]

10. I am a Democrat because I am a humanist

I believe what government does for and to its citizens matters far more than serving some vague, indefinable principle such as patriotism, democracy, the free market, etc. These things are meaningless without consideration of their costs and benefits in human terms.

[The Polack MSgt]

14. Thank you

But but but secular humanism is the Devil!1!!1

+

[HassleCat]

15. Ooops! Are my horns showing?

[Buckeye_Democrat]

11. I'm a Democrat because...

I agree with the "liberal narrative" described here:
http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2012/08/21/in-the-magazine/trends-and-opinions/americas-painful-divide.html

Once upon a time, the vast majority of human persons suffered in societies that were unjust, unhealthy, repressive, and oppressive. These traditional societies were reprehensible because of their deep-rooted inequality, exploitation, and irrational traditionalism. … But the noble human aspiration for autonomy, equality, and prosperity struggled mightily against the forces of misery and oppression, and eventually succeeded in establishing modern, liberal, democratic, capitalist, welfare societies. While modern social conditions hold the potential to maximize the individual freedom and pleasure of all, there is much work to be done to dismantle the powerful vestiges of inequality, exploitation, and repression. This struggle for the good society in which individuals are equal and free to pursue their self-defined happiness is the one mission truly worth dedicating one’s life to achieving.

On the other hand, I dislike the shift toward neoliberalism since about the 70's because I think it's counter to democracy, with concentrated corporate power being the result.
https://includingsocialmovements.wordpress.com/the-90s/neoliberalism/

The main points of neoliberalism includes:

The rule of the market — freedom for capital, goods and services, where the market is self-regulating allowing the “trickle down” notion of wealth distribution. It also includes the deunionizing of labor forces and removals of any impediments to capital mobility, such as regulations. The freedom is from the state, or government.
Reducing public expenditure for social services, such as health and education, by the government
Deregulation, to allow market forces to act as a self-regulating mechanism
Privatization of public enterprise (things from water to even the internet)
Changing perceptions of public and community good to individualism and individual responsibility.

Some of the guiding principles behind the ideology of neoliberalism:
Sustained economic growth is the way to human progress
Free markets without government “interference” would be the most efficient and socially optimal allocation of resources
Economic globalization would be beneficial to everyone
Privatization removes inefficiencies of public sector
Governments should mainly function to provide the infrastructure to advance the rule of law with respect to property rights and contracts.

At the international level then we see that this additionally translates to:
Freedom of trade in goods and services
Freer circulation of capital
Freer ability to invest

The Neoliberal agenda advocated for free trade and reduction of public sector regulation and tried to make people believe it would benefit poor countries. Anti-globalization advocates urged that the environment would suffer, human rights were at risk, and democratic institutes would suffer. Globalization further separates those with the wealth, a very small percentage of society, and those who generate the work.

Poverty and the priorities under our "free market" overlord:
http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats

Global Priority $U.S. Billions
Cosmetics in the United States 8
Ice cream in Europe 11
Perfumes in Europe and the United States 12
Pet foods in Europe and the United States 17
Business entertainment in Japan 35
Cigarettes in Europe 50
Alcoholic drinks in Europe 105
Narcotics drugs in the world 400
Military spending in the world 780

And compare that to what was estimated as additional costs to achieve universal access to basic social services in all developing countries:
Global Priority $U.S. Billions
Basic education for all 6
Water and sanitation for all 9
Reproductive health for all women 12
Basic health and nutrition 13

[The Polack MSgt]

12. Thank you for this well thought out reply.

I appreciate your time and effort - I hope we can put together a list of what we are for... Rather than a weak "at least we aren't those guys" argument

Peace

[Buckeye_Democrat]

16. Thanks!

You certainly didn't ask for it, but here's the "at least we aren't those guys" answer from the first link (which was published in 2012 before Trump campaigned for POTUS):

Contrast that narrative to one for modern conservatism. The clinical psychologist Drew Westen in his book The Political Brain extracts the master narrative that was implicit, and sometimes explicit, in the major speeches of Ronald Reagan:

Once upon a time, America was a shining beacon. Then liberals came along and erected an enormous federal bureaucracy that handcuffed the invisible hand of the free market. They subverted our traditional American values and opposed God and faith at every step of the way. … Instead of requiring that people work for a living, they siphoned money from hardworking Americans and gave it to Cadillac-driving drug addicts and welfare queens. … Instead of adhering to traditional American values of family, fidelity, and personal responsibility, they encouraged a feminist agenda that undermined traditional family roles. … Instead of projecting strength to those who would do evil around the world, they cut military budgets, disrespected our soldiers in uniform, burned our flag, and chose negotiation and multilateralism. … Then Americans decided to take their country back from those who sought to undermine it.

To me, it's basically neoliberalism with pro-religion, anti-woman, anti-minority, anti-LGBT and a pro-military authoritarian message.

[FrankfurtCat]

13. K&R!

[Thor_MN]

18. Because it doesn't take a shit-ton of hypocrisy to reconcile its positions.

Republican policies, in general, make no logical sense.

[The Polack MSgt]

19. Definately

It must be exhausting to twist contort and reverse your position every few days.

[Iggo]

20. Because I don't hate...

Women.
Immigrants.
People of color.
Gay people.
Poor people.
Sick people.
Young people.
Old people.
Etc
Etc
Etc

[The Polack MSgt]

21. This is also true

And bears repeating.

Or is it bares repeating?

Either way, we need to keep saying this. Basing your actions only on hating your perceived enemies is foolish.

But opposing hate is always wise

[BumRushDaShow]

22. "a festering cheeto colored chancre"

[The Polack MSgt]

23. I do my best

Although my TIs in basic were the absolute kings of insult comefy

[Eleanors38]

29. Good one! And good post.

[DonCoquixote]

24. I am a democrat

because I saw how the gop always took the side of war, billionaires, and the meaner group of clergy.

[The Polack MSgt]

27. Exactly. Nt

[Curmudgeoness]

26. I actually wrote an essay with that title

for a boss that I had who could not understand why I was a Democrat, and a liberal. I could copy and paste that essay here, but why bother. It really is easier than all the words that I used in that essay.

It is because there is nothing about the Republican party that I can align myself with. Not one thing. Every idea (plot) that they come up with is against everything that I believe in.

[The Polack MSgt]

28. Opposing what they are now is just a baseline level of decency

IMHO

[Curmudgeoness]

31. You are not the only one with that opinion.

However, I have been a Democrat since before I could even vote...and for the same reason. So it has nothing to do with "what they are now" for me, although I will say that I watched them get progressively worse, starting with the Gingrich era.

[The Polack MSgt]

33. In the 70sand 80s

There were Republicans I respected. People I disagreed with but felt were decent and respectable Americans.

I'm hard pressed to think of any since 1992

[alfredo]

44. There was a purge of moderates around that time. Lowell Weicker was one that got shunned.

[Motley13]

30. It is the party of the people

who enacted Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, ACA, and who tried to prevent it?
Who is trying to give people a livable wage & who is trying to prevent it?
Who believes in equal rights for all & who is trying to monitor bathrooms?
Who believes in freedom of choice & who only believes it for themselves, only?
Who believes in freedom of religion & who believes theirs should be forced on everyone?
Who believes in voter rights & who tries to gerrymander & make things difficult for minorities?

[Thinkingabout]

53. Yes, I agree, I also do not feel the pressure to hate others.

[Lee-Lee]

32. I'm not rich enough to be a 1% republican

And too aware to be a poor one.

[The Polack MSgt]

34. This is the best answer in the fewest words.

Well done.

[Pholus]

35. THIS kind of thread is what DU had back in the Bush days.

Reading every reply was a joy! Thank you!

[The Polack MSgt]

37. Thank you for sparking the discussion

We need to huddle up.

Decide our course and start to come out swinging

Eff these assholes.

[NRaleighLiberal]

36. because it is about us, not just me.

[The Polack MSgt]

38. Yes it is.

Thank you

[Smickey]

39. Beacuse the

resourses of this planet belong to all of us.

[The Polack MSgt]

41. Yes

[HeartachesNhangovers]

40. By default: My parents were low-income

immigrants and we lived in a community of mostly first and second-generation immigrants who came from low-income backgrounds in their own countries. The consensus seemed to be that Republicans were rich and Democrats were not.

[The Polack MSgt]

42. We all grow in the soil we were planted in.

But as we grow we learn.
As we learn we wonder.
And when we wonder, we start to wonder why.

[alfredo]

43. I'm a Democrat because I have a heart and mind.

[Missn-Hitch]

47. Well said.

Empathy - it keeps me from being repub. Makes me think of our future A.G. who so casually brought up his misgivings about Justice Sotomayor's self-proclaimed "empathy". This was on camera, in a microphone. Now this effing racist a**hole is going to be our top cop.

They pray for me, I think for them.

Cheers.

[bdamomma]

45. I am a Democrat

Because I was brought up in a Middle Class family I give my two parents all the credit to instill those democratic ideals in me.

I remember I asked my father what the difference was between Democrats and Republicans
I was told Democrats are for the Middle Class and Republicans are for the Rich. Hasn't changed at all, but Republicans got hijacked by birthers and tea partiers.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

46. This is what I assumed would happen from the Tea Party and Trump.

It still might happen, but I'm currently amazed that the propaganda has worked so well for the GOP.

[Missn-Hitch]

49. I wish I could share in your amazement. Many are very removed from reality.

Nothing like very real consequences to bring them to their senses....I mean SOME to their senses.

Tough loss for your Buckeyes. I haven't talked to my brother-in-law yet but I am sure he is bummed out.

Cheers.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

50. Might be for their own good.

They're replacing the QB coach and offensive coordinator, Tim Beck, who replaced Tom Herman after the national title season.

Nebraska fans tried to warn Ohio State about Beck -- e.g., quarterbacks regressing, head-scratching play calls, etc.

I saw signs of problems very soon after he arrived in 2015 (anemic offense), but changes aren't as easy to make when a team keeps winning most of the time.

EDIT: Clemson is also a very talented team, of course.

[niyad]

48. k and r

[Missn-Hitch]

51. Great post. I think I remember visiting this "contentious" thread you refer to. Cheers.

[Mz Pip]

52. It's not about party name for me.

I'm a liberal. I'll support whichever party most aligns with my beliefs. That happens to be the Democratic Party.

[dionysus]

64. Best answer yet. Labels are often meaningless. Who cares about a D

if it comes after the name lieberman, or manchin... or miller...

[rwsanders]

54. Good answer, but remember there are many here and in real life you are just here to be

part of the team they grew up with.
Or they have an issue or two they agree with, or they feel financially bound, or they worship one or the other of the candidates. But it appears that those of us who are Democrats because we hold certain principles or standards are rare.
I'd be considered a "purist" because I expect someone in the leadership of the party to reacquaint themselves with the principles of FDR. We need his second bill of rights. We need someone who will stand for the 4 freedoms. And we need someone with some backbone.

[Jamaal510]

55. K&R

[brooklynboy49]

56. It's a no brainer

I'm a progressive and an egalitarian. Given the reality that we have a two party system, the Democratic Party comes closest to representing my views; the Republican Party is anathema to me.

[lambchopp59]

57. My dog is a democrat

He gives love and wet kisses unconditionally.
He holds no prejudgement against other canine breeds.
He knows nothing of pretentious confabulations that enrich the greedy and harm the planet.
He has stayed with me during tough times when I didn't know if I'd end up homeless.
He would never act with or encourage violence unless he perceived someone was about to do me harm.
And whenever I pull up a video of the crass orange orangutan mouthing off he buries his face under his paws.

[NNadir]

60. I think my cat might have wanted Trump to win. She has a brain the size of a walnut. n/t.

[lambchopp59]

69. And, after all cats have historically been known as evil creatures

with a penchant for torturing their prey. Hmm. Yes, definitively radically republican.

[IrishEyes]

76. Sorry, I must protest. My kittens are democrats.

They try to attack my computer screen when Trump speaking. They are six months old and they can tell that he is awful.

[SharpProgress]

58. Because when I read the Dem party platform...

I agree with literally every line. Pretty simple.

[The Polack MSgt]

59. Read? You mean that there is a document...

Spelling out the position of the Democratic party?

That's crazy. I never saw the like.

I've argued with dozens of Republicans, and they've never heard of such a thing.

[NNadir]

62. Well put. I am a Democrat because of I still believe in Eleanor Roosevelt's vision of human rights.

I've had my problems with specific issues in the modern party, but I consider Ms. Roosevelt to have been the intellectual founder of the modern party, and by and large, the party has never strayed too far from that vision, expressed in Ms. Roosevelt's 1948 UN endorsed "Declaration of Human Rights."

The declaration has been more honored in breech than practice, but it should be a goal for all humanity to embrace.

[classykaren]

63. I am a Democrat because I am my brothers keeper.

[LanternWaste]

75. I think I just fell in love with you!

I think I just fell in love with you!

Your response is the accurately truncated and textualized wisdom of humanity finally finding out who we are.

[Coolest Ranger]

65. To which I would respond

I am also a Democrat because that part gave me my rights as a gay man.

My question to them is if you hate our party so bad, why are you still here?
If you are a so called Independent why do you continue to remain in our party.
Why are you not building your own list your own database and growing your own resources.

I don't want people in our party who are not happy with it.

My momma had a saying. If you are not happy in a group leave it. Nothing is forcing you to stay

[TNNurse]

66. I was raised by a Democrat

and taught simple values based on beliefs in equal rights, respect for differences in others, compassion and gratitude. If there were two things that stand out they are "Do unto others........" and "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight......" In other words we are deserving of equality and kindness.

[Mc Mike]

67. Because I'm anti-nazi,

pro-America and pro-Americans.

And I don't hate the rest of the world.

[hamsterjill]

68. Wonderfully put!

Thank you. I echo all that you set out, and would only add that *I* am a Democrat because despite being confronted with Republican hate on a daily basis, I still have a little bit of humanity left in me, some compassion, and I hope, at least, a little common sense.

[heaven05]

70. excellent

[nil desperandum]

72. All great reasons

and that last one...ouch just ouch...couldn't agree more.

[McCamy Taylor]

71. Because unions are the backbone of the prosperous American working class.

And without racial, gender, religious and sexual equality the working class is screwed.

[louis c]

73. I am a Democrat because I know the difference between Dems and Reps

As a blue collar working person who belongs to a union, I know that the Democrats are destined to disappoint us, but the Republicans are dedicated to destroy us.

I can live with disappointment, I can't live with destruction.

[Hulk]

74. I'm not so sure what I am any more.

Sadly, I'm disillusioned with the Democratic Party. What DWS did with the DNC worked directly against anything I can support. Until the DNC gets new leadership and can pull their heads out of their asses in taking on the fascist party and repuKKKe wing of politics in this country, I'll have nothing to do with them. I'll wait.

With stooges like schumer & co, I have very little faith in the strength and direction of the party. I'm a "progressive", a "liberal" without a party. My issues seem to overlap with those of today's Democratic Party. Where is FDR when you need him???

[DownriverDem]

81. Hello?

We are the Dem Party! Are you an active member?

[Hulk]

83. No...I'm not.

Does that get me booted?

[Starry Messenger]

77. Because for the most part, Democrats are a huge group that knows

the answer to "Which side are you on?"

[Angry Dragon]

78. I vote Democratic because they meet more of my morals and beliefs

[IrishEyes]

79. I agree with what others have written.

There are a million reasons that I'm a democrat. I'm a proud liberal democrat. I always have been and I always will be. I would not want to be part of a party that does not welcome everyone. The Republican Party likes to divide and exclude people.

One thing I like about being a Democrat is that we don't all agree on everything. We can differ in our opinions on issues. Democrats research and discuss issues to find solutions. Studying, thinking and reasoned debate are encouraged.

[DownriverDem]

80. Hate repub motto/views

I'm a Democrat because I don't live by the repub motto of "I've got mine, now you get yours". I have always believed that we should be making this a better place for all. Many repubs are just plain racist. They will not accept who we are as a country. As someone who is white, I hate who the repubs have become.

[forjusticethunders]

82. Because the Democratic Party, for its faults

Is the party of the working class and the marginalized. That is the reality, and as long as they remain the party of the working class and marginalized, they are deserving of support.