I was one of the earliest members of DU

[Frances]

I remember when the big debate on DU was between the Nader supporters and the Democrats.

I remember when there was a lot of debate between Obama and Hillary supporters in 2008.

But I don't remember there ever being as much anti-Democratic sentiment as there is now.

I think I will go to other sites with fewer mean-spirited comments about Democrats until after the Democratic nominee is chosen.

I hope at that point Democratic Underground will be a place that is more tolerant of all Democrats.

[Surya Gayatri]

1. Thanks for a voice of objective reason, Frances. It's truly a sad commentary on DU 2016.

[DesertFlower]

2. i've been here since 10/05 although i started

under a different name. back then the biggest argument was whether mark warner should run for prez.

it got nasty in '08, but nothing like now. sometimes i don't feel like i'm on a democratic site.

[LiberalFighter]

3. I question whether they are paid trolls.

[Avalon Sparks]

15. For who?

I wondered the same.

Been here since the start as well, but left in 2008, and came back 3 months ago,

I left the day Bush left the Whitehouse, I just wanted a Dem to win at the time, didn't care if it was Hillary or Obama..

After Obama won I figured I didn't need to follow politics so carefully...anymore.

Boy I had a lot of catching up to do.

Yes DU seems very different now. We all slammed Bush and gang so much back in the years after he stole the whitehouse.

I wonder also if the tea baggers chased some moderate pubs out, and they've moved to Dems and wound up here. I also wonder about paid infiltrators because I definitely found some on Facebook commenting on new articles.... Or people just made FB IDs just to go on FB and comment. I actually pinpointed a few (fake name, brand new account, and short meme posting all ProHillary). And before anyone can accuse me of being paranoid, the also had only subscribed to certain pages, and where it mostly happened, the only likes on their accounts were Hillary's site, and after the debates played they also had likes for the local news stations of the town the debates played in. They were easy to spot and I alerted FB every time I saw one for 'using fake name'. FB deleted the accounts of 4 out of the 5 I alerted.

[Sancho]

22. I think you are correct...

there are trolls who represent the RW or conservatives. They simply want to be disruptive.

[blm]

4. This place has become GOP operative playground.

A few really smelly apples have permeated both sides.

[liberal_at_heart]

5. I remember when DU and Democrats were anti-war.

There is a reason why there is so much anti-Democratic sentiment. I also have other websites I like to frequent, websites that actually support Democratic and liberal values, not the corporatist and war values supported here.

[Maedhros]

6. Exactly.

When Democrats began excusing and condoning mass surveillance, drone murder, wars of choice, assassinating Enemies of the State without due process, indefinite detention, criminalization of investigative journalism, prosecution of whistleblowers using the Espionage Act, and bullshit trade agreements, they rightfully earned the scorn of thoughtful, caring people.

[angstlessk]

9. I was here when William Pitt was still a teacher

and I have seen the Democratic party take a sharp turn to the right.

I think Bill had much to do with it...the third way and all.

[Avalon Sparks]

16. Yes

Most of us liked Bill then though, I don't remember catching on to the real intentions of DLC back then.

Who is Pitt for, does he still post here?

[JoePhilly]

7. Well said!!

[FarPoint]

8. A beloved voice of reason.

I echo your sentiments. Thank you.

[we can do it]

10. Another long time member agrees, sadly.

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. I faded away from here for a reason.

[jeff47]

12. Tipping points are sudden.

You can't predict what will cause someone to say "Enough!!". But treat the base with "who else you gonna vote for?" for long enough, and people will reach their individual tipping point.

[Lucinda]

13. KNR It's very sad to see.

[mhatrw]

14. Do you remember when Bush stole the election?

Do you remember 9/11?

Do you remember the Iraq War vote?

Do you remember when Wellstone was killed?

[Avalon Sparks]

17. It broke my heart about Wellstone....

I had to leave work the day I heard, I still can't look at a picture of him without getting teary eyed.

He and Bernie were good friends. I've been worried the whole campaign for Bernie, and still am.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

18. What I'm seeing is a lot of anti-establishment sentiment. Been here since 2001.

Which was also here when I got here.

[coyote]

19. When you have corporate democrats

Hijacking the party and giving the finger to the people's best interest, then what do you expect Frances. The people never left the party, it's the party that has left us.

[CBGLuthier]

20. The only "democrat" currently running for president wasn't even a democrat last eyar

The other candidate has no values of the democratic party. That candidate is a 50s style republican. Anti gay, anti minority, anti-women's rights, and a tool of corporations.

[randome]

21. But...but we have sparrows!

I agree with you. I don't think it's been this bad in the past.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]All things in moderation, including moderation.[/center][/font][hr]

[corkhead]

23. Interesting is that it is both pro-democratic and anti-Democratic™ sentiment at the same time

The Democratic™ party is no longer a democratic party

[Doctor_J]

24. I think if you don't like to read very harsh criticism of politicians who are in favor of

War, privatization of everything, poverty level wage, capital punishment, huge dark money in the election process, corruption and cronyism, and other things that used to be strictly for republicans, there are sites better suited for you. When I joined in 2001 du was unanimously against those things. Now, not so much.