2 Questions For Moderate-Centrist, or Conservative Dems:

[Zorra]

I am trying to understand what philosophical differences exist between those who consider themselves "liberal" Dems, and those that consider themselves "moderate, centrist, or conservative" Dems. So I was hoping to get some input on these differences. Thanks.

Below is an abbreviated key value of the Green Party:

5. DECENTRALIZATION
Centralization of wealth and power contributes to social and economic injustice, environmental destruction, and militarization. Therefore, we support a restructuring of social, political and economic institutions away from a system which is controlled by and mostly benefits the powerful few, to a democratic, less bureaucratic system.
snip---------------
And:
I believe it is critical that the candidate we elect breaks up corporate monopolies and completely eliminates their influence on our media and government, and believe that this is also a principle of the Democratic Party.

Question 1: Do moderate-centrist and conservative Dems believe that these are also key principles of the Democratic Party, and do you believe it is critical to break up corporate monopolies and eliminate corporate power over government?

I've always been a Democrat with a very liberal, "Green" philosophy. I have never voted for anyone but a Democrat in my life in a partisan election. I plan to vote for any Democratic Presidential Candidate that is nominated in the 2004 election.

Question 2: Would you vote for Dennis Kucinich if he were nominated?

If anyone would please comment on what they think the differences are among "liberal", "moderate-centrist", and "conservative" philosophies within the Democratic Party, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

[Armstead]

1. I'm a Liberal Progressive

And I think the problem you mentioned about corporate power and concentration of wealth is the major difference. It is a huge problem, but is not acknbowledged by the centrists.

[notadmblnd]

2. 1. I do

2. I would.

I can't explain to you what the difference is. I disagree with the Dems on gun control, I'm pro-choice and against the death penalty. I think parents should be held accountable for their childrens actions and I think if you're on the goverment dole for more than a year, a person should have to work for it. I think religion should be kept in the churches and not the government if it means taking the word god off our currency and out of the pledge of allegence, so be it. I believe in the bill of rights and the constitution.

[quaker bill]

3. I am a liberal leaning centrist

I agree with trust busting and income redistribution. Both are essential to economic justice in a capitalist system.

I would vote for Kucinich gladly if he is the dem nominee.

[Guaranteed]

4. I'm a reactionary liberal.

I used to be a centrist, but I tend to deliberately go against societal trends (I'm a backwater individual, as someone on DU put it once). I think we have a moral obligation to make sure that no one is starving or going without health care in our country. I also think that everyone deserves a living wage. I'm not so much against corporate wealth as long as the people controlling it are willing to share (or "redistribute") it.
However, I really believe that things need to be balanced. I believe people should work hard for a living, and most often need to be kicked in the ass in order to be motivated (this is why capitalism works). It also makes me angry when, just as an example, protesters manage to get an oil rig shut down and then 500 people lose their jobs. Before I had to react to GW, I was starting to get angry at environmentalists. Now, I'm with them, tugging the other way on the rope.
It's hard for me to pidgeonhole myself. I think balance is very important in economics...I think everything (especially the economy) goes through cycles, and that it's important for those cycles to happen for their to be real health...at the same time, I think we have certain moral obligations and standards that can not be left unaddressed simply for economic convenience (or even economic health, for that matter).
I dunno, I typically just take every issue as it comes...at different times I might even feel differently about the same, or very similar, issues. It all depends on how things are going.